THE centres opened for fresh application and personal information update for the second and third phase disbursement of the Cost of Living Aid (BSH) 2020 over the weekend witnessed good response from the public.
A brief survey by Bernama at the Jalan Duta Inland Revenue Board (IRB) office from 9am to noon on Saturday saw more than 100 people present to either register or update their personal information for BSH.
The first phase involving a disbursement of RM1 bil commenced on Jan 20, involving 3.8 million registered beneficiaries in the household category.
A security guard who wanted to be known only as Hery, 41, said he hoped to see an increase in the one-off payment for the single category from RM300 to RM500.
A housewife, Supiah Surip, suggested that the IRB look into higher payments for recipients with health problems to meet their medical needs.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago and had to do medical check-ups every month and it still cost me a lot of money. If IRB can help people like me by giving higher BSH payments, it will be really helpful,” she said.
Meanwhile, Valliammah Sinnaiah expressed her disappointment for being left in the dark about her application for BSH last year.
“In 2019, I applied for BSH but after a long wait, I did not get any response. I am trying again this year and if I am still not eligible for it, it is only proper for IRB to let me know why my application was rejected. I am in desperate need of BSH since my husband died not so long ago and I have no fixed income,” said the single mother of two.
A check at the Pudu Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) on Sunday found about 180 people present to submit their BSH forms.
The BSH grant is RM1,000 for a married couple with a monthly household income of RM2,000 and below, RM750 for those earning RM2,001-3,000, RM500 for those earning RM3,001-4,000, and an additional RM120 per child (limited only to four children).
For single applicants with a monthly income of RM2,000 and below, the grant value is RM300 and is given on a one-off basis.
The payment is scheduled for distribution in three phases – January, May and August 2020.
Eligible recipients in the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur can go to IRB branches at Jalan Duta, Jalan Raja Chulan, Wangsa Maju and Cheras, as well as at UTC Pudu to register or update their personal information for the BSH assistance.
The centres are open Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm), and the March 14-15 weekend (9am to 4:30pm).
For more information on BSH and its eligibility requirements, the public can call toll-free 1800-88-2747 or email to [email protected]. – Feb 3, 2020, Bernama
