Ali handing over the cheque to Hwang’s brother, Charles, witnessed by Johari (right) and other Socso personnel.
KOTA KINABALU: Those who no longer able to earn a living through work because of terminal illnesses are encouraged to seek financial aid by claiming from the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
Individuals aged 60 and below are eligible for the invalidity penchant scheme provided that they have at least 24 months’ contribution in the last 40 months of work, said Socso deputy director, Johari Idris.
He added that recipients of financial aid would eventually be determined by the medical board, after a check-up to determine that the potential recipient had lost at least two-thirds of their earning capacity.
Johari said this during a visit to the home of one Hwang Fung Yee @ Wee Fung Yee, a terminal cancer patient who received her first cheque from Socso yesterday.
“We are sending the first cheque of payment today, which will thereafter continue as monthly payment,” said Johari, adding that the payment was transferable to the next of kin in cases of death.
Hwang said that she had been sick since January 2015 and relapsed in June of the following year, before she stopped working in October of the same year.
“My family chips in here and there, but this payment from Socso is really helpful because medical bills are expensive,” she said.
The former manager of a job hunting company also expressed her appreciation to her former colleagues, who she said were willing to fly over from Kuala Lumpur to visit her at the end of this week.
This year, Socso has also contributed a wheelchair and commode chair to Hwang, to ease her movements.
Meanwhile, Socso director Mohd Ali Hindia said that the organisation had undergone rebranding since 2016, so as to better serve the public.
“Under the umbrella of Perkeso Prihatin, our aim is to entertain contributors as soon as possible; if we receive complete documentation, benefits can be given the next day,” he explained.
“We try to exceed the public’s expectations by making it easier for them to receive our benefits. For example, we deliver the cheques to them now and they no longer have to collect it from our office.”
Following its rebranding, Socso received better responses due to the more widespread awareness, while benefits and contributors increased, said Ali.
He also said that it was now easier to identify applicants thanks to their mobile phone application, online portal and telephone hotline.
In addition, he said that Socso recently opened its sixth office in Kota Marudu, Sabah which would make it easier for those in the interiors and outskirts of town to address their queries.
Ali added that the organisation was preparing for an upcoming office to open in Beaufort sometime soon.