BR1M extended to households earning RM3,000 to RM4,000

The 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) to households with monthly income of RM3,000 and below will be increased from RM500 to RM650, while for single individuals aged 21 and above and with a monthly income not exceeding RM2,000, the amount will be increased from RM250 to RM300.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, when tabling the 2014 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat today, said in addition to that, and for the first time, a BR1M assistance of RM450 would be extended to households with a monthly income of between RM3,000 and RM4,000.

"The assistance is given to alleviate the rising cost of living borne by the lower middle-income group," he added.

Najib also proposed a contribution of RM50 to the Group Takaful Rakyat 1Malaysia (i-BR1M) for all BR1M household recipients who would receive protection of up to RM30,000 in the event of death or permanent disability.

"In short, all BR1M household recipients with a monthly income of not more than RM3,000 will enjoy financial assistance of RM700," he added.

He said recipients of the RM450 in BR1M would also enjoy the RM50 contribution to i-BR1M, bringing the total BR1M assistance to RM500.

Najib said the government was allocating RM4.6 billion to implement all the 2014 BR1M packages, expected to benefit 7.9 million recipients.

BR1M was first introduced in 2012, providing cash aid of RM500 to households with income of RM3,000 and below.

Last year, BR1M 2.0 was expanded to single individuals aged 21 and above with income of not more than RM2,000 a month. They received RM250 each.

- Bernama