KUALA LUMPUR: Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) 2.0 cash aid worth RM7 billion has been disbursed to 10.6 million recipients since Oct 6.
The second phase of disbursement will take place in January next year.
A total of RM4.8 million had been allocated for recipients under the B40 household group - each would receive RM700 in October and the remaining RM300 to be given out in January.
Meanwhile, 3.8 million recipients under B40 singles category will each receive RM500.
As for each of the recipients under the M40 household category, all 1.4 million would receive RM600, while 1.7 million recipients under M40 singles category are set to get RM300.
Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the government was aware of the difficulties faced by the people following the Covid-19 pandemic.
"BPN 2.0 is part of the Prihatin Supplementary Initiative Package (Kita Prihatin) worth RM10 billion which was announced by the prime minister on Sept 23.
"For those who did not qualify before, they can re-apply starting Oct 15 until Nov 15. They might not be eligible before due to their previous income status.
"Upon approval, they will receive the cash aid in January," Tengku Zafrul said in a statement today.
Tengku Zafrul said new BPN 2.0 applications would be reviewed immediately as the ministry wanted to ensure timely disbursement.
"I would also like to advise for the public to be cautious with scammers who had been taking advantage of deceiving those who require financial help.
"Please refer to official sources and refrain from providing any personal information to strangers," he said.
For more information visit https://bpn.hasil.gov.my/.