Welfare Department (JKM) Sabah: Aid & Support
What does the Welfare Department (JKM) in Sabah provide?
The Social Welfare Department (JKM) provides welfare aid for low-income families, OKU registration and disability benefits, and support for children and senior citizens across Sabah, working from its office on Jalan Tuaran in Kota Kinabalu.
The Welfare Department at a glance
The Social Welfare Department (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, JKM) is the government agency responsible for social assistance and care in Sabah. It supports people who are vulnerable or in difficulty — low-income families, persons with disabilities, children without adequate care, and senior citizens.
JKM works through a network of offices across the state, with the Sabah headquarters on Jalan Tuaran in Kota Kinabalu and district welfare offices handling local cases. Its role is to provide a safety net and connect people to the help they are entitled to.
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 JKM directly or visit a district welfare office for the current requirements.
Welfare aid for families in need
One of JKM's core functions is financial assistance for families in hardship. General welfare aid (Bantuan Am) and related schemes provide support to poor and vulnerable households that meet the eligibility criteria, helping with basic needs.
Assistance is means-tested and assessed individually, often involving a home visit or documentation of household circumstances. Applicants are also frequently referred to other services and programmes that can help, making JKM a useful first point of contact for those struggling.
OKU registration and benefits
JKM administers OKU registration for persons with disabilities (Orang Kurang Upaya). Registering with JKM creates an official record and 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 JKM to begin the process and learn what assistance is currently available.
Support for children and seniors
The department cares for vulnerable children and older people. This includes managing children's homes and shelters, providing aid for orphaned and poor children, and running senior-citizen welfare programmes. JKM also coordinates support for other vulnerable groups within the community.
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.
If someone is in immediate danger or a child is at risk of harm, contact the emergency services on 999 first. JKM can then provide follow-up welfare support once anyone in danger is safe.
How to apply for assistance
Applications for welfare aid and OKU registration are made through JKM offices — the state office in Kota Kinabalu or a district welfare office closer to home. 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 JKM
The Sabah headquarters is on Jalan Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu, reachable on 088-448 000, with the national website jkm.gov.my. District welfare offices across Sabah handle local applications and home assessments, so people outside the capital can usually find help nearer to them.
For specific assistance, contact JKM directly or visit the nearest office. Staff can advise on eligibility, the documents required, and the current schemes available to support you or your family.