Social Security Organization (SOCSO), officially known in Malay as Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO), is a Malaysian statutory body established under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969. Its purpose is to provide social protection to employees and their dependants when they suffer work‑related injuries, illnesses, disability, or death.

Two categories of SOCSO

Image credits: NST Online

1. Employment Injury Scheme (EIS)

  • Covers accidents at work, occupational disease, travel to/from work, and related medical and income support.
  • The contribution rate for this category is 1.25% of the employee’s monthly salary, payable by the employer according to the contribution schedule.
  • All employees who are aged 60 and above should be covered under the Employment Injury Scheme only.

Under the Employment Injury Scheme, the benefits are:

  • Medical benefit
  • Temporary disablement benefit
  • Permanent disablement benefit
  • Constant attendance allowance
  • Facilities for physical and vocational rehabilitation
  • Return to work programme
  • Dependents’ benefit
  • Funeral benefit
  • Education benefit

2. Invalidity Scheme

  • Provides financial assistance for long‑term disability or death not necessarily work‑related.
  • For employees who are less than 60 years of age, contributions payable by employers and employees are for the Employment Injury Scheme and the Invalidity Scheme.
  • Contribution rates applicable in this category include 1.75% of the contribution made by employers and 0.5% of the salary earned by the workers according to the contribution table.

Under the Invalidity Scheme, the benefits are:

  • Invalidity pension
  • Invalidity grant
  • Constance attendance allowance
  • Survivors pension
  • Funeral benefit
  • Facilities for physical or vocational rehabilitation and dialysis
  • Return to work programme
  • Education benefit
Monthly contribution payment
Source: PERKESO

Who is eligible for SOCSO

Under the law, SOCSO coverage is mandatory for employees who are:

  • Employed under a contract of service or apprenticeship.
  • Malaysian citizens or permanent residents working in the private sector.
  • Contract/temporary staff in the federal/state government and statutory bodies.
  • The rate of contribution is capped at monthly wage ceiling of RM6,000.00.
  • Foreign workers with valid work permits are also required to be registered and covered under certain SOCSO schemes.

You can claim SOCSO benefits if you are an insured employee who:

  • Suffered a workplace injury or occupational disease.
  • Experienced temporary disablement due to an employment injury.
  • Have a permanent disablement that affects your ability to work.
  • Qualify under the Invalidity Scheme due to long‑term illness or disability.

Who is exempted from SOCSO

SOCSO does not cover:

  • Permanent public‑sector workers (federal and state government staff) are not covered under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969
  • Self‑employed individuals are generally not automatically covered unless they voluntarily enroll under the special “Lindung Kendiri” scheme (Self‑Employment Social Security Scheme).
  • Sole proprietors and partners in a partnership are not covered under the standard Employees’ Social Security Act unless they enroll in a separate scheme.

How to claim SOCSO

1. Report the incident

  • If the injury is caused by an accident at the workplace, your employer must report the accident to SOCSO within 48 hours (typically using Form 21 / Accident Report Form).

2. Seek medical treatment

  • Visit a SOCSO’s panel clinic or government hospital for treatment and to obtain a medical certificate (MC), which will be part of the claim evidence.

3. Submit claim documents

Depending on the claim type, you (or your employer) need to submit:

  • Accident report / occupational disease form.
  • Claim forms (e.g., Form 10 or Form 12).
  • Medical certificate (MC).
  • Identification card (IC).
  • Attendance records and supporting documents.

These can be submitted at your nearest PERKESO office or via the ASSIST Portal for eligible benefits.

4. Claim review

  • Once submitted, SOCSO will review the claim along with the evidence presented.
  • The process generally takes around a few weeks based on the type of case and the evidence presented. SOCSO might also have to conduct an investigation if required.

5. Payment

  • If the claim is successful, then SOCSO provides cash assistance and medical costs. This can be in the form of daily payments, medical costs, and pensions monthly for long-term disability claims.
  • The duration of the payment and the amounts will depend on the seriousness of the injury suffered by the employee.

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