SARA 2025: How Do You Apply For It
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During the tabling of Budget 2025, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme will receive an increase of RM3 billion. In comparison, the previous budget was RM10 million in 2024 to RM13 million in 2025.
But what does this actually mean? What is SARA anyway? Let’s have a look.
What is SARA?
As previously mentioned, SARA stands for Sumbangan Asas Rahmah. This is an additional cash aid from the government for the recipients of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) who are designated as poor (belonging below the poverty line) and the hardcore poor.
What is Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and how to apply
This is a targeted cash aid program for Malaysians who are most affected by the rising cost of living. This programme is to raise the economic status of the recipients.
Only Malaysians who are eligible can apply. You can apply online at the STR portal at bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my or go in person to the nearest LHDN office.
STR recipients who are eligible can also qualify for SARA. SARA is designed to help these people buy their essentials, such as household groceries and any other basic necessities they need.
How much do SARA recipients get?
The Ministry of Finance has announced that the aid amount has been increased to RM2,100 in 2025 compared to RM1,200 in 2024. The programme has also been extended to Sabah and Sarawak. Eligible households to receive this need to be registered in eKasih.
Previously, household STR recipients received RM100 monthly, totaling up to RM1200. This amount will increase to RM200 monthly starting in April 2025. Single senior citizens will also be getting an additional RM50 monthly starting in April.
Who is eligible to receive SARA?
SARA’s eligibility requirements are as follows;
- Malaysian
- Eligible for the STR in any of the following categories; household, single individuals, or senior citizens without any spouse, and
- Listed as one of the recipients of eKasih, as a member of the poor/hardcore poor group
How to apply to be a recipient of SARA?
With SARA, you won’t need to do any registration or application. Any Malaysians who are eligible will automatically receive SARA aid.
How is SARA distributed?
According to the SARA FAQs page, the SARA cash aid is distributed in two different ways, depending on where the recipient lives;
- If the recipient lives in Peninsula Malaysia, the cash aid will be credited cashless monthly (either RM100/RM60 per month) into the recipient’s MyKad. The recipient can then use the cash aid to buy groceries at selected supermarkets or grocery stores located all over the country.
- If the recipients live in West Malaysia, the cash aid will be credited straight into their bank accounts bi-yearly (RM600/RM300 per payout).
What is SARA one-off payment?
The ongoing SARA is distributed monthly for recipients in Peninsula Malaysia, and bi-yearly for recipients in West Malaysia.
The ‘one-off’ reference came from an announcement in December 2024 from the Ministry of Finance (MoF). The statement was issued by the MoF in a media statement and also shared on their Facebook page providing an FAQ on SARA.
Source: MoF
It mentioned that the government will distribute an additional one-off cash assistance under SARA. Eight million STR recipients who are not from the poor or hardcore poor groups are eligible. This STR payment method will start on December 9, 2024.
For 2025, the regular SARA subsidy programme will also continue for the duration of 1 year to all eligible registered STR recipients. If you have other questions about SARA, go to the SARA FAQ page.
So there you have it, everything you need to know about the SARA cash aid.
