Kuala lumpur: The Social Welfare Department (JKM) has started using the 2024 Poverty Line Income (PGK) as a criterion for welfare assistance eligibility, effective January 1. This move aligns with the new PGK value announced under Budget 2026.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying announced that the 2024 PGK is set at RM1,236, an increase from the 2022 Food PGK of RM1,198. The per capita PGK for 2024 has also been raised to RM348 from RM322 in 2022. Lim stated this during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat.

Lim explained that the ministry has allocated RM2.9 billion through JKM for welfare financial assistance this year, compared to RM2.7 billion in 2025, marking a 7.41 percent increase. She was responding to a question from Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS-Batang Lupar) about the criteria for re-evaluating existing recipients' eligibility for monthly welfare assistance.

Lim further detailed that the eligibility of existing recipients is reviewed annually, with an assessment occurring two months before the assistance period ends. This process includes submitting the JKM 20 form and may involve investigations or home visits by the department's officers if needed.

She mentioned that the increase in the 2024 PGK compared to the 2022 Food PGK is expected to extend government assistance to more groups in need. Addressing a supplementary question from Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang) on the cost of living differences in Sabah and Sarawak, Lim acknowledged the higher living costs in these states compared to Peninsular Malaysia. However, she noted that the implementation of welfare assistance continues to follow existing guidelines.