STR Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah: Eligibility & How to Claim

Updated 8 September 2026 against official sources (see the notes marked in the article).

Walaoeh, money is falling from the sky again? Not exactly, but it is close enough.

If you are a Malaysian citizen, you know that the beginning of the year isn’t just about New Year resolutions; it is about checking your bank account for the STR 2026 (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) payout.

With the cost of living going up (have you seen the price of Teh Tarik lately?), every Ringgit counts. The government has announced that for 2026, the maximum for a household is RM3,400 a year (RM2,200 STR + RM1,200 SARA), or RM4,600 with the eKasih top-up.

But here is the catch: You won’t get a single cent if you don’t update your info or if you forget to apply. Don’t be blur. Read this guide, check your status, and claim what belongs to you.

Do I qualifyHow muchThe bonus

STR 2026 is a cash assistance program by the Malaysian government to help low and middle-income groups (B40 & M40) cope with the rising cost of living.

You qualify if:

• Households: Monthly income is RM5,000 or less.
• Senior Citizens (Single): Aged 60+ with income RM5,000 or less.
• Singles: Aged 21-59 with income RM2,500 or less.
• OKU (Single): Aged 19-59 with income RM2,500 or less.

Status Check: You can check your status immediately at the Official MySTR Portal.

Let’s get straight to the point. How much money are we talking about? The STR 2026 amount depends on your income bracket and how many children you have.

(Walaoeh Tip: More kids = More money. But don’t go having kids just for STR, ah! Cost of diapers is expensive!)

Note: There is also an additional SARA (Sumbangan Asas Rahmah) of RM1,200 a year (RM100 a month). SARA now goes to every approved STR 2026 recipient, and eKasih Miskin / Miskin Tegar households get a further Tambahan SARA of RM1,200 a year on top. The most a household can total is RM3,400, or RM4,600 with that top-up.

You might have heard of SARA (Sumbangan Asas Rahmah). Many people confuse it with STR 2026, but they are actually twins—just that SARA is the “special” twin.

While STR 2026 gives you cash in the bank, SARA gives you “cashless” credits to buy groceries.

SARA is specifically for the “Miskin Tegar” (Hardcore Poor) category listed in the e-Kasih database. If you qualify for the maximum STR amount (Household Income < RM2,500), you most likely qualify for this too.

Unlike the lump-sum cash, SARA is credited directly into your MyKad (IC).

• Amount: RM100 / month.
• Total: RM1,200 / year.
• Usage: You can go to selected supermarkets (like Mydin, 99 Speedmart, Giant) and use your MyKad to pay for basic necessities like rice, oil, eggs, and flour.

Walaoeh Tip: Do not try to use your MyKad to buy cigarettes or top-up Touch ‘n Go. The cashier will look at you weirdly. It is strictly for food items only!

STR is paid in 4 phases. The dates below come from LHDN’s official STR 2026 payment FAQ, so you can plan your shopping:

• Phase 1: From 20 January 2026 (BSN cash collection also from 20 January)
• Phase 2: From 10 March 2026 (new recipients and appeals from 30 March 2026)
• Phase 3: From 15 August 2026 (BSN cash collection from 16 August)
• Phase 4: LHDN has not announced a Phase 4 payment date as of 10 October 2026 — none is listed on its STR portal, and the payment-date table in its STR 2026 payment FAQ (issued 17 August 2026) covers Phases 1 to 3 only. New applications and appeals for STR 2026 closed at 5.01 pm on 30 September 2026.

Important: Ensure your bank account is active! If your account is dormant or closed, you will have to queue at BSN (Bank Simpanan Nasional) to collect cash. Trust me, you don’t want to queue at BSN.

If you are new to this or forgot your password (standard Malaysian problem), here is how to access your MySTR Login dashboard.

Go to the official link: https://bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my/ (Warning: There are many scam sites. Only trust the .gov.my link!)

Enter your IC number (without dashes like -) and click Semak.

You will see a “Kunci Keselamatan” (Security Phrase). This is the word you set (e.g., “Kucing Comel” or “Walaoeh”).

• If correct: Click “Ya”.
• If incorrect: STOP! You might be on a phishing site.

Key in your password and click Log Masuk.

Once inside, check your:

• Bank Account Number.
• Marital Status (If you got married recently, update it to get more money!).
• Children Info.

Applying for STR 2026 for the first time? Or did you just get married? Don’t just walk into the LHDN office with empty hands.

To ensure your application is approved FAST (Lulus Cepat), make sure you upload or bring these documents:

• Marriage Certificate: Must be official from JPN or Jabatan Agama Islam.
• Spouse’s IC: A clear copy.
• Children’s MyKid/MyKad: Ensure the names match exactly.

• Divorce Certificate: Or death certificate of the spouse.
• Custody Papers: Proof that the kids are living with you.

• You don’t need a full statement. Just the front page of your bank book or a screenshot of your online banking app showing your Name and Account Number.
• Crucial: The bank account MUST be in your own name. You cannot use your husband’s or wife’s account!

Don’t panic.

1. On the login page, click “Lupa Kata Laluan”.
2. Enter your MyKad number.
3. The system will send a temporary password or link to your registered Email.
4. Problem: “Alamak, I forgot my email password too!”
5. Solution: If you cannot access your email, you must visit the nearest LHDN (Inland Revenue Board) branch physically to reset it. Yes, it is a hassle, so please write down your passwords next time!

Received a “Tidak Lulus” status? Here are the common reasons why your STR 2026 money got blocked:

1. Income Exceeds Limit: LHDN checks your data against other agencies. If your boss reported your salary as RM5,001, you are out.
2. Marital Status Mismatch: You registered as “Married” but JPN data shows “Divorced” or vice versa.
3. Duplicate Application: Husband applied, Wife also applied. Only one per household!
4. Living Abroad: You are not in Malaysia.
5. Student: Full-time students receiving Baucar Buku usually don’t qualify for the Single category.

Can I Appeal (Rayuan)? Yes! Usually, the appeal period (Tempoh Rayuan STR) opens in July. You can bring supporting documents (payslip, divorce cert) to LHDN to prove your case.

Seeing the status “Tidak Lulus” (Rejected) breaks the heart more than a breakup. But don’t give up! The government allocates a specific period for Permohonan Rayuan (Appeal), usually starting in July.

Here is how to fight for your STR 2026 money:

When you check your status, it will show a code (e.g., Code 12, Code 05).

• Code 12: Registered as Married but partner’s info missing.
• Code 05: Income exceeds limit (based on SSM/LHDN data).

If they say you are rich (but you are actually broke), prove it!

• Bring Payslips: Latest 3 months’ payslips showing your actual low income.
• Bring Termination Letter: If you lost your job recently.
• Bring Business Closure Letter: If your SSM is active but the business has already bungkus (closed down).

You can appeal online on the MySTR portal, but for complicated cases (like SSM issues), we highly recommend a physical walk-in to the nearest LHDN branch. The officers there are usually helpful if you talk to them nicely.

Walaoeh Strategy: Go early in the morning (8:00 AM). Bring all documents. Be polite. Don’t scold the counter staff; they control your approval button!

Every time the government announces money, scammers come out to play. Please, for the love of your bank balance, follow these rules:

• NEVER give your OTP/TAC number to anyone claiming to be from LHDN or “Pegawai STR”.
• NEVER click on links sent via SMS or WhatsApp that look like http://bit.ly/str-claim.
• ONLY use the official portal.

If you are unsure, you can check our Latest Scam Alerts or contact the MOF hotline directly.

STR 2026 is a crucial aid for millions of Malaysians. Whether it is RM600 or RM3,400, it is your right as a citizen.

Action Plan for Today:

1. Log in to MySTR.
2. Check if your bank account number is correct.
3. Update any changes in your life (married, new baby, etc.).

Don’t wait until the last minute when the website server crashes (and it will crash). Be a smart Malaysian.

Here are the answers to the most common queries regarding Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah 2026.