Everything To Know About The RM100 SARA Cash Assistance – How To Verify Eligibility & Where To Use It

One-off RM100 SARA cash aid for Malaysians

Grocery shopping can feel like a mini workout, with heavy baskets and bills that add up faster than expected. So when the Malaysian government unveiled a one-off RM100 SARA (Sumbangan Asas Rahmah) cash assistance for us Malaysians, it felt like a little lifesaver in this economy.

As numerous questions have been circulating, we have gathered everything you need to know about the cash aid, including how to check eligibility, where to utilise the aid, and how to use it.

What is the RM100 SARA cash assistance?

The one-off RM100 SARA cash aid was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 23rd July 2025. It is a government initiative aimed at easing the cost of daily essentials for Malaysian adults, and an extension of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), which aims to support households affected by the high cost of living in Malaysia.

The one-off cash assistance ensures everyone can stretch their ringgit a little further at the supermarket. Think of it as a small form of support from the government to make grocery runs feel a bit lighter. This isn’t a loan or a rebate, but straightforward cash aid to help with everyday essentials.

The aid will be distributed on an individual basis, not by household. So, for example, a family of four adults will receive RM400 in total.

When does it expire?

The credit is valid from 31st August 2025 to 31st December 2025. Any unused balance will automatically roll over to the next month and must be used before the programme ends. After 31st December, any remaining funds will be returned to the government to be channelled into future assistance programmes for vulnerable groups.

How to check for eligibility?

Checking your eligibility for the one-off SARA is straightforward. Neither an application or a registration is needed. As long as you’re a Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above with a valid MyKad, you’re good to go – the RM100 will be automatically credited to your MyKad.

To verify your eligibility, head to the official SARA portal on your browser. This leads you to a page on MyKasih’s website, where you can input your MyKad number to check your eligibility status, balance, and the start and end dates of the SARA aid.

On the MyKasih portal, you can check your status and keep track of your one-off SARA balance.

You can also utilise the MyKasih app, available for Android and iOS users, which will link you to the same status page to input your MyKad details.

How to check if my MyKad is valid?

It’s important to check if your MyKad is valid, as any damage to it may hinder your access to the SARA aid. A replacement will be needed if the following has happened to you while trying to use your MyKad for identification purposes:

• It cannot be scanned or read at machines or self-service kiosks
• It is refused by banks or government agencies, as data cannot be retrieved
• It requires multiple scans to work
• It is physically damaged, with scratches, cracks, or bends
• It is more than 10 years old, with worn-out or erased chips

If you do need to replace your damaged MyKad, here are the steps to take:

1. Visit any JPN branch, including UTC branches and selected mobile services
2. Take a queue number for damaged MyKad replacement services
3. Provide details and hand over your MyKad to kickstart the replacement process
4. Make a MyKad replacement fee of RM10 – it’s free if your MyKad was damaged within 12 months of issuance.
5. Receive your new MyKad within 30 minutes when you visit JPN state headquarters, JPN branches at UTCs, and selected JPN offices. The process will take 5 working days for other branches in Peninsular Malaysia, and 7 working days for those in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.

What can I use the aid on?

There are 14 categories, covering 90,000 items, that the government has mandated as necessities eligible for purchase through this aid. They are:

Where can I spend the cash aid?

You can use your one-off RM100 credit at over 7,300 participating stores and supermarkets nationwide. They include popular supermarkets such as Mydin, Lotus’s, Econsave, 99 Speedmart, Giant, HeroMarket, The Store, Pacific, and TF Value Mart.

Image credit: 99 Speedmart via Facebook

But wait, it gets better.

You can also make SARA purchases at selected sundry and convenience shops such as KK Mart and 7-Eleven. So whether you’re in the city or the kampung, there’ll likely be a participating store near you to replenish your household with essentials.

You can check out the full list of participating stores on the MyKasih portal here. The listed spots can be sorted according to city and state.

How to make a payment with MyKad?

Image credit: Bernama

Instead of whipping out your debit card or pulling out your phone for QR payment, you’ll need to show your MyKad at the checkout counter. The process of shopping and using your cash assistance will look like this:

1. Purchase items from the 14 approved categories
2. Show your MyKad to the cashier for verification
3. Enter your MyKad PIN (a temporary PIN will be the first 6 digits of your MyKad number)
4. The cashier will scan the eligible items to be billed
5. Pay with your MyKad and confirm the transaction with your PIN
6. Keep the receipt for review

A guide on how to use your one-off RM100 SARA cash aid

RM100 might not cover a full shopping spree, but it’s a sweet little boost that will make Merdeka feel extra special. So, go ahead and stock up on essentials, and enjoy the little wins of everyday life.

Also watch our video to find out how you can utilise the one-off credit:

 

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More guides to help you adult:

• How to file your income tax
• Guide to getting your driving license in Malaysia
• How to renew your passport in Malaysia

Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia, Bernama