STR 2026 — Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah, the government's main cash aid scheme for lower and middle-income households — is no longer a once-a-year rush. Since October 2025, applications and updates have been open all year through the MySTR portal, which means if you have never applied, or you have not touched your account in a few years, you can still get into the system today. Here is exactly how the process works, step by step.
What Is STR 2026 and Who Can Apply
STR is a direct cash transfer administered jointly by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia (LHDN), the same agency that runs bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my. It is paired with SARA (Sumbangan Asas Rahmah), a monthly credit top-up for daily essentials, so approved recipients typically get both.
Broadly, three groups can apply:
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Households (married couples, or single parents with dependants) with combined monthly income at or below RM5,000
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Senior citizens aged 60 and above without a spouse, with income at or below RM5,000
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Single individuals (bujang) aged 21 and above with income at or below RM2,500
Vulnerable groups already registered under eKasih or with the Welfare Department (JKM) are also considered. Exact quantum by category can shift between budget cycles, so treat any specific ringgit figure you see online as indicative — the official portal's FAQ and approval letter are the final word on how much you'll receive.
How to Apply for STR 2026 Online
If you have never applied before, or your STR record has gone three consecutive years without an update, you need to submit a fresh application. Here's the process on the MySTR portal:
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Go to
bantuantunai.hasil.gov.myand click Permohonan Baharu (New Application) on the homepage. -
Choose whether to proceed with a standard new application or verify instantly using MyDigital ID — scanning the QR code speeds up identity verification.
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Register a MySTR account if you don't already have one, using your MyKad number and a valid phone number or email.
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Fill in the BK-01 form fields: personal details, marital status, number of dependants, household income, and your bank account (or your spouse's) for crediting.
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Upload supporting documents where prompted (see the next section).
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Submit and note down your application reference number for follow-up.
If you'd rather not do this online, you can still submit a physical BK-01 form at your nearest LHDN office. Applicants who already have an approved STR record but need to update details — a new child, a change in income, a new bank account — use the same portal's "Kemas Kini Permohonan" (Update Application) flow instead of filing fresh.
Documents You Will Need
Have these ready before you start, since the portal session can time out if you're hunting for paperwork halfway through:
| Document | When needed |
|---|---|
| MyKad (applicant and spouse) | All applications |
| Proof of income (payslip, EPF/KWSP statement, or business record) | All applications |
| Marriage, divorce, or death certificate | If marital status changed |
| Birth certificates of dependants | Households claiming children |
| OKU (disability) card | If claiming under a disability-related category |
| Bank account details | For direct crediting |
Applicants without a bank account are not excluded — payment can still be claimed in cash, including in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, through Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branches.
How to Check Your STR 2026 Application Status
Once you've applied, checking your status doesn't require a new form:
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Go to
bantuantunai.hasil.gov.myand click Log Masuk (Log In). -
Sign in to your MySTR account with your registered credentials, or use MyDigital ID.
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Your application status will show as pending, approved, or rejected, alongside your category.
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If approved, you can download your approval letter under MySTR → Peti Mel → Surat (Mailbox → Letters).
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If your status shows unsuccessful, watch the portal's announcements for the next appeal window — appeal periods open at set points during each phase and are listed on the Maklumat Terkini (Latest Updates) page.
For 2026, status checks for STR and its companion SARA scheme opened on 9 January, so if you applied around then, your result should already be viewable. New applications and updates submitted later in the year are checked on a rolling basis as each phase closes.
STR 2026 Payment Schedule and How You'll Get Paid
Payments this year have gone out in phases rather than a single lump sum. According to official updates on the portal, Phase 1 payments began 20 January 2026, and Phase 2 followed for existing recipients from 10 March 2026, with new and appeal-based approvals paid from 30 March 2026. SARA's monthly credit also started rolling out from 9 January, with the "SARA Untuk Semua" component following on 9 February.
Later phases in the year are confirmed closer to the date through the same Maklumat Terkini page and MOF press releases, so if you're checking mid-year, that page is the fastest way to see what's next rather than relying on a fixed calendar.
Payment always arrives one of two ways:
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Bank crediting — directly into the applicant's or spouse's registered bank account.
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Cash withdrawal — at BSN branches, for recipients without a bank account or where crediting fails.
FAQ
Is STR 2026 still open for new applications?
Yes. Unlike previous years' single application window, STR applications and updates for 2026 have run continuously since 13 October 2025, so you can apply any time through the MySTR portal.
What happens if I don't update my STR application for three years?
Your record becomes inactive and you'll need to submit a fresh update through MySTR before you can be considered for the current year's payment.
Can I apply for STR without a bank account?
Yes. You can still register and, if approved, collect your payment in cash at a Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branch, including in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.
How do I know if I'm getting SARA as well as STR?
Approved STR recipients are generally also considered for SARA, the monthly essentials credit. Your MySTR mailbox and approval letter will confirm which components you qualify for.
What if my STR application is rejected?
You can file an appeal once the relevant appeal window for that phase opens; dates are posted on the portal's Maklumat Terkini page. Keep your application reference number handy when you do.
If you're also sorting out other government or financial admin this year, it's worth checking whether you have unclaimed money sitting with the government, reviewing money rules that changed for gig workers and lower-income earners, or making sure your LHDN tax refund status isn't sitting unclaimed either — since LHDN runs both that system and the STR portal.
For the most current phase dates, appeal windows, and payment amounts, always cross-check the official STR portal and the Ministry of Finance's news page before making plans around a specific payout date.
