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Welfare Departments in Sabah (JPKA and JKM)

Q: Which department handles welfare in Sabah?

State welfare aid in Sabah is run by the General Welfare Services Department (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Kebajikan Am, JPKA) ( Bernama , 2022, checked 6 October 2026). The federal Social Welfare Department (JKM) still operates too, for example keeping the national OKU register. JPKA runs the Skim Bantuan Am and offers support for persons with disabilities (OKU), children, senior citizens and families in need.

Q: Can JPKA help low-income families?

Yes. JPKA runs the Skim Bantuan Am Sabah (SBAM) for Malaysian citizens living in Sabah whose household income is below the poverty line and who fall into set groups, such as people unable to support themselves, chronic or mental illness patients, OKU aged 18 and over, carers, and widows or widowers with children under 18. Applications are means-tested ( IHSAN MADANI , checked 6 October 2026).

Q: Does the welfare department help children and senior citizens?

Welfare support in Sabah covers vulnerable children and senior citizens as well as other groups in need. Ask at your district welfare office which programmes currently apply.

Q: Where do I apply for welfare aid in Sabah?

Applications are handled at JPKA divisional and district welfare offices , and the online portal is swaa.sabah.gov.my ( IHSAN MADANI , checked 6 October 2026). Contact your nearest welfare office for its address and hours.

Last updated: 7 October 2026

Which department provides welfare aid in Sabah?

In Sabah, state welfare aid is run by the General Welfare Services Department (JPKA), while the federal Social Welfare Department (JKM) keeps the national OKU register. JPKA runs the Skim Bantuan Am for low-income households and supports OKU, children and senior citizens, with applications made at divisional and district welfare offices.

Welfare departments at a glance

Two welfare departments serve people in Sabah. State welfare aid is run by the General Welfare Services Department (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Kebajikan Am, JPKA) (Bernama, 2022, checked 6 October 2026). The federal Social Welfare Department (JKM) still operates nationally, for example keeping the OKU register (Daily Express, 2023, checked 7 October 2026). Between them they support people who are vulnerable or in difficulty — low-income families, persons with disabilities, children without adequate care, and senior citizens.

JPKA works through divisional and district welfare offices across the state, which handle applications (IHSAN MADANI, checked 6 October 2026). Its role is to provide a safety net and connect people to the help they are entitled to.

ℹ️ Check current eligibility

Welfare schemes, allowances and eligibility rules change over time and are decided case by case. This page is a general guide. For an actual application, contact JPKA or visit a district welfare office for the current requirements.

Welfare aid for families in need

One of the welfare department's core functions is financial assistance for families in hardship. The Skim Bantuan Am Sabah (SBAM) supports Malaysian citizens living in Sabah whose household income is below the poverty line and who fall into set groups, such as people unable to support themselves, chronic or mental illness patients, OKU aged 18 and over, carers, and widows or widowers with children under 18 (IHSAN MADANI, checked 6 October 2026).

Assistance is means-tested and assessed individually. Applicants are also frequently referred to other services and programmes that can help, making the welfare office a useful first point of contact for those struggling.

OKU registration and benefits

Persons with disabilities (Orang Kurang Upaya) are recorded on the national OKU register kept by the federal Social Welfare Department (JKM), and JPKA Sabah provides welfare aid and support services for OKU (Daily Express, 2023, checked 6 October 2026). Registration is usually the first step to accessing disability allowances, benefits and support services.

The OKU card can assist with concessions and services, and registration helps the department plan and deliver support. Families seeking help for a member with a disability should approach a JPKA welfare office to begin the process and learn what assistance is currently available.

Support for children and seniors

JPKA provides aid for vulnerable children and older people (Bernama, 2022, checked 7 October 2026). Ask at a district welfare office which programmes for children and senior citizens currently apply.

These services aim to protect those who cannot fully care for themselves and to keep families together where possible. Cases are handled with confidentiality and assessed according to need.

💡 In an emergency

If someone is in immediate danger or a child is at risk of harm, contact the emergency services on 999 first. The welfare department can then provide follow-up welfare support once anyone in danger is safe.

How to apply for assistance

Applications for welfare aid are made at JPKA divisional and district welfare offices, and the online portal is swaa.sabah.gov.my (IHSAN MADANI, checked 6 October 2026). Bring identity documents (MyKad), and any papers that show your circumstances, such as proof of income or a medical report for disability cases.

Because schemes and document checklists are updated, it is worth calling ahead or checking the department's website before visiting. An officer will explain which programme fits your situation and what the assessment involves.

Offices and contacting JPKA

JPKA divisional and district welfare offices across Sabah handle applications, so people outside the capital can usually find help nearer to them (IHSAN MADANI, checked 6 October 2026). For office addresses and phone numbers, check the JPKA website.

For specific assistance, visit the nearest welfare office. Staff can advise on eligibility, the documents required, and the current schemes available to support you or your family.

Frequently asked questions

Q Which department handles welfare in Sabah?

State welfare aid in Sabah is run by the General Welfare Services Department (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Kebajikan Am, JPKA) (Bernama, 2022, checked 6 October 2026). The federal Social Welfare Department (JKM) still operates too, for example keeping the national OKU register. JPKA runs the Skim Bantuan Am and offers support for persons with disabilities (OKU), children, senior citizens and families in need.

Q What is OKU registration?

OKU registration records a person with a disability (Orang Kurang Upaya) on the national register kept by the federal Social Welfare Department (JKM) (Daily Express, 2023, checked 6 October 2026). Registration is the gateway to benefits, allowances and support services. In Sabah, ask at a JPKA welfare office how to register.

Q Can JPKA help low-income families?

Yes. JPKA runs the Skim Bantuan Am Sabah (SBAM) for Malaysian citizens living in Sabah whose household income is below the poverty line and who fall into set groups, such as people unable to support themselves, chronic or mental illness patients, OKU aged 18 and over, carers, and widows or widowers with children under 18. Applications are means-tested (IHSAN MADANI, checked 6 October 2026).

Q Does the welfare department help children and senior citizens?

Welfare support in Sabah covers vulnerable children and senior citizens as well as other groups in need. Ask at your district welfare office which programmes currently apply.

Q Where do I apply for welfare aid in Sabah?

Applications are handled at JPKA divisional and district welfare offices, and the online portal is swaa.sabah.gov.my (IHSAN MADANI, checked 6 October 2026). Contact your nearest welfare office for its address and hours.