If something happens to a parent, workplace injury, permanent disablement, or death, one concern many families face is how to continue funding a child’s education. SOCSO’s Education Benefit exists specifically for this, and it’s a benefit few people realise they’re entitled to through their monthly SOCSO contributions.
What the Education Benefit Covers
It’s a loan made available to a dependant child of an insured person who:
- Dies as a result of employment injury
- Receives periodical payments for Permanent Disablement Benefit
- Dies while receiving Invalidity Pension
- Dies before age 60, having completed a full or reduced qualifying contribution period
- Is an Invalidity Pension recipient
Who Can Apply
The applicant must be a dependant of a Dependant’s Benefit, Survivor’s Pension, Invalidity Pension, or Scheduled Permanent Disablement Benefit recipient, generally under 21 (with some continuation allowances for existing borrowers), unmarried, and have an offer to study full-time at a recognised Malaysian institution for a Diploma, Degree, or SKM Level 1-3 qualification.
Other conditions include: the applicant must have been declined education loans from other agencies, the programme must be within Malaysia and full-time, at least a year of study must remain when applying, and total tuition cost must fall within PERKESO’s funding cap.
Who Doesn’t Qualify
- Primary or secondary school students
- Siblings of the insured person (only dependant children qualify)
- Matriculation, pre-university, foundation, Master’s, or PhD students
Verify Current Terms Before Applying
This benefit’s specific limits, tuition fee caps, service charges, and detailed eligibility criteria are set by PERKESO and can be revised over time. Confirm the current terms directly on PERKESO’s official website or with a PERKESO office before relying on any specific figures when applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for SOCSO’s Education Benefit?
Dependant children of insured persons who died or became permanently disabled due to employment injury, or who are receiving Invalidity Pension, subject to PERKESO’s specific eligibility conditions.
Can siblings of the insured person apply?
No, only dependant children of the insured person qualify, not siblings.
Does this benefit cover overseas study?
No, the full programme must be undertaken within Malaysia.
Related Reading
Understanding What Your Contributions Cover
SOCSO contributions fund a wider range of benefits than most employees realise. If you’d like help understanding what your company’s SOCSO contributions actually cover, talk to Righthouse’s SOCSO compliance team.
