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During his New Year's address yesterday, 5 January, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that millions of Malaysians will start receiving financial aid this week under the government's 2026 cost-of-living measures
From monthly Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) credits to the first phase of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash payouts, here's a clear breakdown of what's coming and when.
Here are the key dates for various cash aid to mark in your calendar:
- 9 January: Monthly SARA credit begins (eligible households & senior citizens)
- 13 January: Early Schooling Aid (BAP) — RM150 per student
- 16 January: Monthly SARA credit begins (eligible single individuals)
- 20 January: STR Phase 1 cash payments begin
- 9 February: One-off RM100 SARA Untuk Semua payment for all adults
First up, what exactly are these 'Monthly SARA' payments?
Unlike a bank transfer, SARA is a cashless form of aid credited directly to your MyKad. It works like a debit card and can be used at over 10,000 participating supermarkets and stores nationwide to buy essential items such as rice, cooking oil, eggs, and other necessities.
Here's how much eligible recipients will receive each month in 2026
Recipient category Monthly credit Annual total Hardcore poor / poor (registered in eKasih) RM200 RM2,400 B40 & M40 households (STR recipients) RM100 RM1,200 Senior citizens (single / without spouse) RM100 RM1,200 Single individuals (bujang) RM50 RM600
When does it start?
Households and senior citizens will receive their first monthly credit on 9 January, while single individuals will start receiving RM50 from 16 January.
Then, there's also a 'SARA Untuk Semua (For All)' payment in February
Yes, this one's for everyone.
The government announced that all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, around 22 million people, will receive a one-off RM100 credit under the 'SARA Untuk Semua' initiative.
- Date: 9 February 2026
- Purpose: To help with spending ahead of Chinese New Year and Ramadan celebrations
- Registration needed? No. The credit will be issued automatically based on NRD records
Don't forget the STR Phase 1 cash payout on 20 January
While SARA is meant for groceries and essentials, Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) is a cash assistance credited directly into recipients' bank accounts.
STR Phase 1 payments begin on 20 January, with eligible households receiving between RM100 and RM500, depending on their category and eligibility.
How to check if you're eligible
You can check your eligibility status and payment details through the official portals below:
- STR & SARA eligibility: https://bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my
- SARA balance & participating merchants: https://www.mykasih.com.my
Make sure your MyKad is in good condition, as it's required to access SARA credits at participating stores.
