EPOKU incentive terminated after recipient found no longer working, Family and Community Development Ministry clarify

PUTRAJAYA - The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry today clarified the reason for terminating the Incentive Allowance for Disabled Workers (EPOKU) for a senior citizen that went viral on social media because the person was not working anymore.

According to the ministry, the EPOKU assistance which is operated by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) is a government incentive to encourage persons with disabilities (PWD) to continue working, be able to live independently and then become productive members of society.

This incentive is given to the PWD group who are working and earning an income of RM1,500 and below, but when the income has increased or the recipient no longer works, that eligibility is revoked, the ministry said.

"The recipient received RM450 from EPOKU from September 2020 to August 2023. In September 2023, JKM re-examined and found that the individual is no longer working," the ministry said in a statement today, following the video that went viral on social media regarding an elderly disabled person whose EPOKU assistance had been terminated.

In relation to this, the ministry said the individual's EPOKU was terminated by JKM taking into account the individual is receiving the Armed Forces cost of living aid, food basket assistance from the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) and Baitulmal monthly assistance amounting to RM950 per month, in addition to his wife receiving a pension.

The ministry said EPOKU is among the assistance schemes for the PWD group apart from the Disability Worker's Allowance (EPC) and Care Assistance for Disabled or Chronically Abandoned Patients (BPT).

"However, the eligibility conditions must be complied with to ensure that only those who are truly qualified and entitled to receive assistance will be given the incentive.

"Government resources are limited and incentives or assistance to certain groups are based on eligibility," the ministry added. - BERNAMA