
Posted on 02 April 2026 in Business | Suki Bajaj
mySalam is a government-initiated free health protection scheme designed to provide a financial safety net for Malaysians in the lower-income group (B40). By providing cash payouts for critical illnesses and daily hospitalisation allowances, it reduces the financial strain on families during medical emergencies.
As an HR leader in Malaysia, understanding the mySalam kelayakan (eligibility) and claim processes allows you to better support your workforce. When employees face health crises, being able to guide them toward these benefits fosters a supportive culture and ensures they remain financially resilient.
mySalam is a national health protection scheme providing free takaful (Islamic insurance) coverage for eligible Malaysians. It is fully funded by the government through the mySalam Trust Fund.
Its primary goal is to provide immediate financial relief for lower-income households during hospitalisation or when diagnosed with critical illnesses, covering costs that standard medical insurance might not reach, such as transportation or lost income.
The Malaysian Government has officially approved the continuation of the mySalam scheme through 2026.
mySalam eligibility is tied directly to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), formerly known as BKM, BPR, BSH, or BR1M, which is a cash assistance program processed annually by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).
If an employee is an active recipient of STR, they are automatically enrolled and covered by mySalam.
📌 Note: Eligibility is updated annually based on data from the LHDN.
| LHDN Programme | mySalam Scheme Eligibility | Age Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| STR 2024 | 2024 |
|
| STR 2025 | 2025 | |
| 2026 |
Announcement of eligibility will be sent via SMS to the phone number that has been registered under the STR program.
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Malaysian Citizen |
| Age | 18–65 years old (Calculated as of 1st January of the relevant year) |
| Category | Registered recipients of STR (B40 category) and their spouses |
| Eligibility Confirmation | Recipients are notified via SMS in stages |
The mySalam scheme offers two primary cash benefits that are paid directly to the beneficiary, allowing families to use the financial assistance however they need including medical expenses, transport, childcare, or household needs.
The mySalam coverage includes 50 critical illnesses categorized into 12 groups such as:
For a full list of covered illnesses, you can refer to the official mySalam portal.
Many employees may ask how to apply mySalam or how to claim mySalam online. To help you guide your team, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to claim mySalam benefits:
Log in and select the Claims icon, then Claims Submission, and choose Critical Illness Claims.
Keep in mind that there’s a grace period for submitting claims. If an employee is eligible for mySalam 2025 and 2026, they must adhere to these deadlines:
| Year | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility Period | 1st January 2025 - 31st December 2025 | 1st January 2026 - 31st December 2026 |
| Claim Submission Period | 1st January 2025 - 30th June 2026 | 1st January 2026 - 30th June 2027 |
📌 Note: Any mySalam claim (for the year 2026) submitted after 30 June 2027 will not be accepted or processed.
While all three provide protection, they serve different purposes. As an HR leader, explaining the differences between mySalam, SOCSO, and EPF helps employees manage their expectations and understand their rights and entitlements.
| mySalam | EPF | SOCSO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funding | Government-funded | Employer/Employee | Employer/Employee |
| Main Focus | Critical Illness/Hospital Stay | Retirement/Savings | Work Injuries/Invalidity |
| Cost | Free | Monthly Deduction | Monthly Deduction |
| Payout | One-time/Daily Cash | Lump sum/Withdrawals | Medical/Pension/Disability |
HR teams are often the first point of contact for mySalam semak (eligibility checks). You can support your team by:
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There is no manual registration required. If you are an active recipient of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), you are automatically enrolled in the scheme. The government uses existing LHDN data to identify and register eligible individuals in the B40 category and their spouses.
Eligibility is tied to your status as an STR recipient. You will typically receive an SMS notification confirming your coverage. To verify, you can also log in to the official mySalam portal using your NRIC to check your current status and account details.
The mySalam scheme provides two main cash benefits: a one-time RM8,000 payout upon diagnosis of a covered critical illness, and a hospitalisation allowance of RM50 per day (up to 14 days or RM700 annually) for stays in government, university, or military hospitals.
mySalam covers 50 critical illnesses across 12 categories, including cancer, heart-related conditions, kidney failure, and stroke. It also covers mental disorders and rare diseases. For the comprehensive full list of the 50 specific illnesses, beneficiaries should refer to the official mySalam website.
Log in to the mySalam portal and select ‘Claims Submission’ under the ‘Claims’ icon. Fill in the required details and upload a copy of your NRIC and the hospital Discharge Note.
Yes. Enrollment is automatic for all eligible STR recipients aged between 18 and 65. Because it is a government-funded initiative aimed at the B40 group, individuals do not need to apply or pay premiums to be covered by the mySalam scheme.
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