By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 14: No new applications or appeals will be accepted for the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance or Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) 2026 programme, as recipients have already been determined using Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) Phase 1/2026 data.
As highlighting in the frequently asked questions on SKAS featured on the Sarawak government website, the eligibility list for the assistance programme is automatically generated from the STR database, meaning only those listed as STR recipients who meet the SKAS criteria will receive the aid.
Individuals who are not listed as SKAS recipients may not qualify for several reasons, including not being a recipient of STR Phase 1/2026, having an address outside Sarawak in the STR system, exceeding the income threshold, or not being a Sarawakian.
Under the programme guidelines, new applications and appeals will not be opened for SKAS 2026.
However, individuals may update their STR information for future assistance. For instance, if a household’s STR recipient is currently registered under a non-Sarawakian spouse, the eligible Sarawakian partner may update the recipient name in the STR system.
Once the information reflects a Sarawakian head of household, eligibility may be considered for future SKAS assistance, subject to prevailing criteria.
As for recipients who are bedridden and unable to utilise the SKAS aid personally, they are advised to approach the Welfare Department of Sarawak for assistance.
The SKAS programme, which comes under Sarawak Budget 2026 with a total allocation of RM640 million, provides financial aid through digital vouchers accessible via the SPay Global mobile app, allowing recipients to purchase basic food and essential items.
The assistance targets low-income households, single individuals and senior citizens in Sarawak, with total aid ranging from RM300 to RM950 depending on the recipient category.
The Sarawak government will distribute the SKAS in three phases this year, beginning on March 10, followed by May 15 and Nov 10. — DayakDaily
