The government has begun distributing Phase 3 of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid, with RM1.2 billion allocated for 5.3 million recipients.
The number of recipients has increased by 300,000 from five million at the start of the year. Of the Phase 3 recipients, 3.9 million are from low- and lower-middle-income households, while 1.4 million are single senior citizens.
Under the latest disbursement, eligible recipients will receive between RM150 and RM600, depending on household income and the number of children, while single senior citizens will receive RM150.
The latest disbursement brings total STR payments for the first three phases of 2026 to RM3.6 billion. Depending on their eligibility, recipients can receive up to RM3,300 in combined assistance from STR and monthly Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) by August.
The government has allocated RM15 billion for STR and SARA this year, the highest amount to date. As part of a revised assistance structure, STR is distributed quarterly while SARA provides monthly support for essential needs to eligible recipients.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the increase in the number of households receiving STR, from 3.7 million at the start of the year to 3.9 million in Phase 3, reflected efforts to ensure assistance reached those affected by the cost of living.
For the latest payment, recipients with bank accounts will receive the money through direct credit from today. Those without bank accounts can collect their payments in cash at Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branches nationwide.
To reduce the risk of eligible recipients being left out, new STR applications and appeals remain open throughout the year through the official STR portal.
The Finance Ministry has also warned the public to be alert to fake links and scams and to rely only on official government portals for the latest information.
