# Social Welfare Department (JKM): Malaysia's Welfare Safety Net

> Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM), Malaysia's Department of Social Welfare under KPWKM, administers cash aid, OKU (disability) registration, child and elderly protection, and disaster relief for the country's most vulnerable.

- Category: government
- Language: en
- Status: published
- Updated: 2026-08-14
- Canonical: https://negaraku.md/en/government/social-welfare-department-jkm

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The **Social Welfare Department** — *Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat*, known everywhere by its acronym **JKM** — is the federal agency that catches Malaysians when they fall. It was established in **1946**, initially in response to the social problems caused by the Second World War, and its role later expanded to **protection, rehabilitation, prevention, development and community integration**. Search results for JKM are dominated by year-stamped "how to claim aid" blogs and bare service pages; this page instead explains JKM as an institution and how its services connect across the whole life cycle — from children to persons with disabilities to older persons.

## What is JKM and where does it sit?

JKM is a department under the **Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM)**, the same ministry that oversees agencies such as the **Social Institute of Malaysia (ISM)** and the **National Welfare Foundation (YKNM)**. Its headquarters is at **Aras 6, No. 55, Persiaran Perdana, Presint 4, 62100 Putrajaya**, and public enquiries are directed to **pro_jkm@jkm.gov.my**.

## What financial assistance does JKM provide?

JKM administers a set of assistance schemes for low-income households, children, older persons and foster families:

| Scheme (English name) | Short form |
|---|---|
| Rahmah Basic Contribution | SARA |
| Rahmah Cash Contribution | STR |
| Federal General Assistance | Bantuan Am |
| Children's Financial Aid | BKK |
| Elderly Assistance | BWE |
| Foster Child Assistance | BAP |

Every application is **means-tested** to confirm eligibility, and applicants should first be registered in the **National Poverty Database System (eKasih)**, which JKM references as part of its eligibility framework. You can apply in two ways: a **manual application** using the **JKM18 Form** at a District, Divisional or Branch Social Welfare Office, or an **online application** through the **eBantuan JKM** portal. Applicants provide photocopies of their identity card, the identity cards and birth certificates of co-residing household members, and salary statements where applicable.

## How does OKU (disability) registration work?

Under the **Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 (Act 685)**, OKUs are people with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments that may prevent full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. Malaysia recognises **seven categories** of disability: **physical, learning, hearing, visual, speech, mental, and multiple** disabilities.

To register, applicants — who must be Malaysian citizens certified by a government medical expert — submit the registration form **BPPOKU (Amendment 2/2019)** together with a medical verification report and a MyKad copy (or a birth certificate for applicants under 12). This can be done **manually at a JKM counter** or **online via the MyDaftar OKU portal**. A successful applicant receives an **OKU Card** indicating their disability category, which is used to access facilities and privileges specific to persons with disabilities.

## What's next

Start by confirming you are registered in **eKasih**, then choose your route — the **JKM18 Form** at a district office or the **eBantuan JKM** portal — and gather the identity, household and income documents in advance. If you are supporting a person with a disability, begin with **OKU registration** and the **OKU Card**, which is the gateway to disability-specific services. For current rates, thresholds and forms, always check the official JKM portal at **jkm.gov.my** before applying.

## Sources

- Applying for Social Welfare Department (JKM) Aid — https://www.malaysia.gov.my/en/personas/low-income-families/mendapatkan-bantuan-asas/applying-for-social-welfare-department-jkm-aid (Malaysia Government Official Portal (malaysia.gov.my))
- Definition of OKU — https://www.malaysia.gov.my/en/personas/person-with-disabilities/mengesahkan-status-oku/definition-of-oku (Malaysia Government Official Portal (malaysia.gov.my))
- OKU Card Application — https://www.malaysia.gov.my/en/categories/personal-identification/oku-card-application (Malaysia Government Official Portal (malaysia.gov.my))
- OKU Registration — https://www.malaysia.gov.my/en/categories/personal-identification/oku-card-application/oku-registration (Malaysia Government Official Portal (malaysia.gov.my))
- Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Women,_Family_and_Community_Development (Wikipedia)
- Direktori — Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat — https://www.jkm.gov.my/main/directory (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (jkm.gov.my))
- Department of Social Welfare (Malaysia) — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Social_Welfare_(Malaysia) (Simple English Wikipedia)

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