SOCSO New Policy 2026: LINDUNG 24/7 Scheme

Introduction

The Social Security Organization (SOCSO), is set to implement a significant expansion of its coverage with the introduction of the Employees’ Social Security (Amendment) Act 2026. This new policy, primarily centered around the “LINDUNG 24/7″ (Skim Kemalangan Bukan Bencana Kerja) scheme, aims to provide broader protection to Malaysian workers by extending coverage beyond work-related incidents . The targeted effective date for this new policy is June 2026. The targeted effective date for this new policy is June 2026.

Key Changes: LINDUNG 24/7

Previously, SOCSO’s accident protection was limited to injuries arising out of and in the course of employment, encompassing workplace accidents, commuting accidents, and occupational diseases. Accidents occurring outside of working hours, such as during leisure activities or at home, were not covered .

The LINDUNG 24/7 scheme eliminates this limitation, offering round-the-clock protection against personal injuries caused by accidents that are classified as “non-employment injuries.” This means employees will now be covered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of whether the accident occurs during or outside of working hours .

Benefits Under LINDUNG 24/7

The scheme will cover the same range of benefits that currently exist under SOCSO, ensuring comprehensive support for affected employees. These benefits include :

Medical benefits: Covering treatment costs at SOCSO panel clinics ad hospitals.
Temporary Disability Benefit (FHUS): Providing income replacement for periods when an employee is unable to work due to injury.
Permanent Disability Benefit (FHUK): A monthly pension for employees suffering from permanent incapacity.
Dependant’s Benefit (FOT): Monthly financial support for the spouse and children in the event of the contributor’s death.
Constant Attendance Allowance (ELS): Provided for employees who require full-time care due to their injury.
Funeral Management Benefit (FPM): Financial assistance to cover funeral costs.
Rehabilitation: Access to physical and vocational rehabilitation programs.
Educational loan facility: Available for dependants of disabled or deceased contributors.

Exclusions

It is important to note that the non-employment injury protection under LINDUNG 24/7 does not apply in certain situations :

Accidents that occur outside Malaysia.
Cases involving fraudulent claims (offences under Section 93 of the SOCSO Act).
For foreign workers, cases where a valid pass or permit is misused, or immigration requirements are breached.
Disease-related conditions are also excluded, as the scheme specifically covers accident injuries, not illnesses.

Contribution Changes

The new Act introduces employee contributions specifically for non-employment injury coverage, a significant shift from the previous structure where Second Category contributions were solely paid by employers. These new employee contributions will be rolled out in three distinct phases

Note: The exact new contribution rates are subject to official gazette notification by the Minister of Human Resources .

For employees holding two or more concurrent jobs, they may designate one employer to handle the non-employment injury contributions, with the obligation to pay remaining with the employee.

Impact and Employer Responsibilities

This expansion is expected to benefit over 9.6 million active SOCSO contributors in the formal sector, providing crucial accident protection for many Malaysian workers who currently lack personal accident insurance.

Employers are advised to take the following steps to prepare for the implementation of the LINDUNG 24/7 scheme:

Review payroll systems: Update payroll software to accommodate the new contribution rates once gazetted.
Communicate with employees: Inform staff about the expanded coverage and potential changes to their contribution obligations.
Monitor official PERKESO circulars: Stay updated on the final effective date and phased contribution rates through official announcements.
Consider foreign workers: Be aware of the non-employment injury exclusion for foreign workers who breach immigration conditions.
Clarify for multiple employers: For employees with multiple jobs, clarify which employer will be responsible for remitting the non-employment injury contributions.

Conclusion

The SOCSO New Policy 2026, with its LINDUNG 24/7 scheme, represents a significant enhancement to social security in Malaysia, offering comprehensive 24/7 accident protection to millions of workers. While the benefits are substantial for employees, employers must ensure their payroll and HR processes are updated to comply with the new contribution structure.

Disclaimer:
This content is based on publicly available information as of April 2026. Implementation details and contribution rates may change subject to official gazette notification by the Minister of Human Resources. Please refer to the official PERKESO website or seek professional advice for the latest updates .