A Beginner’s Guide to SOCSO for Employees in Malaysia

What is SOCSO?

As a Malaysian employee, you’ll find three types of contributions on your payslip known as EPF, EIS and SOCSO. These contributions are paid for by you and your employer.

SOCSO stands for Social Security Organisation, and often referred to as PERKESO – Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial. It’s a government agency formed under the Ministry of Human Resources in 1971.

As stated under the Employee’s Social Security Act 1969, all private companies are required to register with SOCSO in Malaysia.

What is the purpose of SOCSO?

SOCSO provides social security protection to employees in the private sector in terms of cash and benefits in the event of workplace injuries, occupational sickness, emergencies, and death.

Both employers and employees are encouraged to contribute to SOCSO payments. Employees pay a smaller portion depending on their income, with contribution rates between 0.5% to 3%. However, SOCSO contribution is optional for employees who earn a monthly salary above RM3,000.

How to look for your SOCSO number using your IC?

For Malaysian residents, your SOCSO number is the same as your IC number. If you want to confirm your SOCSO number, you can call the agency’s hotline at 1300-22-8000. Alternatively, you can also check your payslip – your SOCSO number should be there. As a last resort, you can speak to a representative on the PERKESO website. Foreign workers in Malaysia don’t have to contribute to SOCSO, and is covered by their employers.

Who is eligible for SOCSO?

Employees under 60 years old, working for a private company in Malaysia are eligible for SOCSO.

Here’s a list of those who don’t qualify for SOCSO coverage:

• Those who are self-employed
• Sole proprietors, owners of a partnership and their partners
• Domestic servants/ workers
• Permanent employees of the Federal and State Government

What benefits does SOCSO provide?

1. Employee Injury Scheme: SOCSO says this “provides protection to an employee against accident or an occupational disease arising out of and in the course of his employment., including commuting accidents, industrial accidents, occupational illnesses, and accidents during emergencies.

2. Invalidity Pension Scheme: This is 24-hour coverage against invalidity. Invalidity is defined as a morbid condition that is deemed difficult to cure. This includes people with terminal illnesses that would stop them from working.

3. Medical Check-up Vouchers: SOCSO has also released health check vouchers for free health check-ups.

How to claim SOCSO?

If it’s your first time applying for medical benefits, these are the documents you’ll have to submit:

1. Accident report (Form 21) OR occupational disease report (Form PKS 68 or PKS69)
2. Claims form (Form 10)
3. Your employer’s identification letter
4. Your Work attendance summary
5. Medical leave certificate
6. A copy of your employee identity card
7. Police report and a sketch map of your trip – These are for accidents that happened while travelling to or from your workplace

Do bear in mind that when your claim is approved, medical treatments are FOC at SOCSO panel clients, government hospitals/ clinics. If you’re treated at a non-SOCSO medical facility, you’ll have to submit additional documents to the nearest SOCSO branch to you.

These additional documents are such as:

1. Reimbursement Travel Claims Form (Form PKS (P) 24)
2. Reimbursement Payment Claim Report (general) (Form PKS (P) 26)
3. The original copy of the receipt of treatment
4. Copy of your appointment card
5. Copy of the medical report (If applicable)

However, SOCSO will determine the reimbursement amount if you’re treated at a non-SOCSO medical facility.

How about workplace accidents?

If you get injured due to a workplace accident, you can apply for permanent disablement benefits regardless of your ability to work. To file for this claim, you’ll have to head over to a SOCSO office with a reference letter from the medical board.

Here are the documents you’ll have to prepare:

1. The medical report from the facility you sought treatment
2. Completed application form
3. A copy of your IC
4. Claims form (Form 10)
5. Form PKS (F) 1 with SOCSO contribution details and salary statement
6. Employee’s account details for direct deposit of benefits

The benefit rate is 90% of your daily wage. If the medical board approves your application, you can choose to continue working. If you aren’t satisfied with the decision, you can file an appeal within 90 days from the date of notice.

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