The government is considering disbursing in January the RM500 one-off cash aid to households earning RM3,000 and below a month, Deputy Finance Minister Dr Awang Adek Hussin said today.

While there was no fixed timeframe for the payment, the disbursement would be made in stages from January onwards, he said.

“The disbursement will take effect from January next year,” he told a media  conference after opening a national taxation seminar in Kuala Lumpur today.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced the one-off payment when tabling the 2012 Budget in Parliament last Friday.

Awang Adek said the government had identified the probable agencies to be entrusted with the payment, with the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) being the lead agency.

Other agencies listed are Bank Negara, Bank Simpanan Nasional and Pos Malaysia, he said.

Awang Adek said IRB was picked because they have the income tax returns files of active and non-active taxpayers.

It is understood that the IRB would also use the e-Kasih database from the Welfare Services Department to obtain information of the people who are really eligible for the aid.

Meanwhile, IRB chief executive officer Dr Mohd Shukor Mahfar said people who have not registered with e-Kasih could download the registration forms from the IRB website.

He said the forms would also be printed and distributed at several IRB branches and at certain designated places nationwide.

Explaining the eligibility income level, Mohd Shukor said the income would be calculated based on the total monthly income per household and not an individual’s income.

“We need a checking mechanism for this (to determine total monthly income),” he said.

Awang Adek said the household income would be decided after calculating the incomes of the husband, wife and children who are living with their parents.

“However, the calculation mechanism to be used for children staying on their own is still being discussed.

“I think the incomes of working children and childrens who are paying their own zakat (tithe) will also be taken into account.

“However, we'll decide on this later. We’ll include these in the list of  issues to be explained (to the people),” he added.

- Bernama