SIBU: Irene Wong, the special assistant to Sibu MP Oscar Ling Chai Yew, stated that some local recipients of welfare assistance funds have recently reported delays in the government’s disbursement of these funds.
She noted that instead of receiving the payments on a fixed date, some recipients have had to wait until mid-month to access their funds.
“The welfare assistance funds are primarily intended to help vulnerable groups who meet specific criteria, such as individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and others facing economic hardship with incomes below the poverty line.
“These funds assist them in covering essential living expenses, including daily food, medical costs, and basic necessities.
“Receiving these funds on time is crucial for these families, as they often rely on them for their basic living expenses. Delays in disbursement may affect their ability to afford food, rent, utilities, and other necessities, increasing their financial burden and stress,” Wong said in a statement on Thursday (Feb 27).
She pointed out that, for families without additional sources of income, such delays could mean being unable to purchase essential items in a timely manner, causing distress and uncertainty.
She stated that she has reached out to the Sibu Welfare Department regarding this issue.
According to the department, she said before the funds are officially transferred to recipients’ accounts, they must undergo multiple verification processes.
This includes reconfirming the recipient’s name and account number to ensure accuracy before submission to the bank for processing, she said, adding due to differences in bank processing procedures, the date on which each recipient receives their funds may vary.
Based on the Welfare Department’s response, Wong pointed out that the main reason for the delay is the bank’s processing procedures.
She urged banks to expedite their processes to ensure that welfare assistance funds are disbursed as soon as possible, reducing the financial strain on recipients.
“I also encourage recipients who have concerns about delays in receiving their welfare funds to directly contact the Welfare Department at (084-330675) or their respective banks for further information.
“This will also help relevant authorities identify procedural issues and improve the process in the future,” Wong added.
