Zakat and welfare assistance for families

1Who this page is for

Hardship in a household can come from many directions: a husband who does not provide maintenance or leaves home, divorce, a husband's death, illness, or losing a job. In such situations there are two main channels set up to help:

• Zakat — managed by the state Islamic religious council through the state zakat centre, under the state government's jurisdiction. Its recipients are called asnaf.
• Department of Social Welfare (JKM) — the Federal Government agency that runs monthly financial aid and welfare services.

There is also Government cash aid such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR). Applying for help is not a sign of failure; these channels exist precisely for hard times.

2The eight asnaf and who they cover

Surah at-Taubah 9:60 lists the eight groups entitled to receive zakat. The definitions below are summarised from the Government's official portal (MyGOV) and the official websites of MAINS and Lembaga Zakat Selangor. For the destitute and the poor, the measure used is the had kifayah, the level of basic needs for oneself and one's dependants set by the zakat institution and reviewed every year.

3State-by-state zakat assistance

You apply to the zakat institution of the state where you reside. This table is built from each institution's official website and the list of zakat agencies on the Government's official portal, MyGOV (malaysia.gov.my), all checked on 14 October 2026. The lists of assistance are summaries, not complete lists. Some state websites blocked automated checking or could not be opened on that date; for those states we write "check the official website" rather than guess.

According to MyGOV, zakat assistance can in general cover monthly financial aid, schooling and higher education, house rental, medical costs, emergencies (disaster, death), business capital for asnaf, and allowances for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and single mothers — depending on the state.

4Department of Social Welfare (JKM): help for families

JKM runs several monthly financial aid schemes. The details below are taken from the Government's official portal MyGOV — Financial assistance (updated 13 Mar 2026, checked 14 Oct 2026). The jkm.gov.my website could not be opened from our server on the date of checking; current rates and conditions should be checked on JKM's official website or at a JKM district office.

How to apply: online through eBantuan JKM (the application link given by MyGOV), or in person at the JKM district office where you live.

5Government cash aid: STR and SARA

Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) is paid directly by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to low-income groups. According to MyGOV, the household category covers citizens living in Malaysia with a gross monthly household income of RM5,000 or less, including single mothers, widows or divorcees with children who meet the conditions. There is also a single category (including single mothers, widows or divorcees without children, aged 21–59, income RM2,500 or less) and a category for senior citizens without a spouse. The rate depends on income and the number of children.

After a divorce or a husband's death, make sure your household details in STR are updated, because marital status and the number of children decide the category.

Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) is aid for basic necessities credited to the MyKad and spent at participating shops. Monthly SARA is for the hardcore poor/poor (STR recipients with an eKasih record) and other STR recipients.

6Urgent helplines

• 999 — police, ambulance and emergencies. Call at once if you or your children are in danger.
• Talian Kasih 15999 (24 hours) — the helpline of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) and JKM for welfare problems, abuse and domestic violence, and family crises. It can connect you with a welfare officer.
• HEAL Line 15555 — mental health support, Ministry of Health Malaysia.

There is no reason to feel ashamed to call these lines. The officers there take calls like yours every day.

7Where to start: step by step

1. Make sure you are safe first. If there is a threat or violence, call 999 or Talian Kasih 15999 before anything else.
2. Write down your situation. Monthly household income, number of dependants, rent, debts and medical costs. Zakat and JKM officers will ask about these.
3. Gather your documents (list below). Make copies; keep the originals.
4. Apply for zakat in your state. Use the online system if there is one, or go to the zakat centre counter or the district religious office, or see the amil/assistant amil at your mosque.
5. Apply to JKM at the same time if you have children or care for an elderly person: through eBantuan JKM or the JKM district office. Zakat and JKM applications are two separate channels.
6. Check STR. Register or update your household details on the STR portal.
7. Claim the maintenance that is your right. If your husband or former husband can pay but does not, file a claim at the Syariah Court, and use the Family Support Division (BSK) if the order is not obeyed. See Enforcing maintenance.
8. Be ready for an investigation. Most zakat institutions carry out a visit or investigation before approval. Keep your application reference number and check the status from time to time.
9. Reapply or update when your circumstances change — monthly aid is usually reviewed periodically.

8Documents usually requested

MyGOV mentions supporting documents such as a copy of the identity card, pay slips, utility bills and an income confirmation letter. Depending on your situation, the following are also commonly needed. Each institution has its own list, so check your state's form.

• Copies of the identity cards of the applicant and dependants; children's birth certificates or MyKid
• Pay slips, an income statement, or a letter confirming income / unemployment (usually certified by a village head, penghulu, imam or a recognised officer — ask your institution)
• Utility bills and the house tenancy agreement
• Marriage certificate; divorce certificate or court order (for single mothers); husband's death certificate (for widows)
• Proof of a maintenance claim or a related report, if the husband does not provide maintenance or has left home
• A doctor's report or letter, if applying for medical aid
• A bank statement for an account in your own name, for payment of aid

9Accuracy of this information

Every fact on this page is taken from the official website of the institution concerned or the Government's official portal (malaysia.gov.my), checked on 14 October 2026. We do not list zakat aid amounts because they are decided by investigation and each state's had kifayah. For states whose websites could not be checked (Kedah, Pahang, Perlis, Terengganu, and the scheme details for Melaka, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territories), please check the official website. If you find information that has changed, tell us through the Ask page.

Sources & references