RECIPIENTS of Geran Khas Prihatin (GKP) who failed in their applications for Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) or the Covid-19 Special Assistance (BKC) will automatically be considered for the Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM) scheme.

       Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said for new applications and updates for BKM, the registration period would be from Jan 1 to Jan 31 next year.

       “This is to ensure those eligible but not in the government’s database would still be given a chance to apply.

       “There is no need to file an application,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2022 at the committee level.

       Tengku Zafrul added that data from nine government agencies would be entered into the BKM database to minimise exclusion error.

       “This encompasses data on e-Kasih, Social Welfare Department aid, residents of public housing or people’s housing projects, Orang Asli, registered homeless people, single mothers, recipients of the Socso insurance scheme and zakat (tithe) or Baitulmal recipients,” he said.

       He also said that as at the first half of this year, a total of RM10bil in cash aid consisting of GKP and BKC had been disbursed.

       “From July to November, a total of RM8.8bil was disbursed through the two initiatives.

       “The remaining RM1.2bil in BKC payouts will be made in December,” he said, adding that the government was committed to helping those affected by the pandemic.

       “There are no plans to reduce welfare aid next year,” added Tengku Zafrul.

       Under the BKM scheme outlined in Budget 2022, an allocation of RM2,000 will be given to households with three or more children earning less than RM2,500 a month.

       An additional RM500 will be given to single parents with children and a monthly income of up to RM5,000.

       This meant that single mothers and fathers with more than three children were eligible for a maximum aid of RM2,500.