8 October 2026
How to Claim EIS (PERKESO) After Losing Your Job
How to claim EIS benefits from PERKESO after losing your job in Malaysia: who qualifies, the 60-day deadline, the benefits and the steps to apply.
Free tool: SOCSO & EIS Calculator →
The Employment Insurance System (EIS), run by PERKESO, pays benefits to eligible employees who lose their jobs involuntarily. You and your employer each contribute 0.2% of monthly wages up to RM6,000, which is at most RM12 a month each.
Who is covered
EIS covers Malaysian citizens and permanent residents aged 18 to 59. Foreign workers are not covered.
Who can claim
You must apply within 60 days of losing your job and meet PERKESO's contribution qualifying conditions. Losing your job through retrenchment, redundancy, company closure or a voluntary separation scheme generally qualifies. Dismissal for misconduct, voluntary resignation and mandatory retirement do not.
EIS benefits
The table summarises the five benefits. The Job Search Allowance is paid monthly for 3 to 6 months depending on eligibility, at 80%, 50%, 40%, 40%, 30% and 30% of your assumed monthly wage over the months. After the first month you must show that you are actively looking for work.
| Benefit | What you get |
|---|---|
| Job Search Allowance | Monthly payment for 3 to 6 months while you look for work |
| Reduced Income Allowance | For people who had more than one job and lost some of them; paid as a lump sum at the same rates and duration as the Job Search Allowance |
| Early Re-Employment Allowance | 25% of the unpaid Job Search Allowance if you find a job while receiving it |
| Training Fee | Up to RM4,000 of approved vocational training paid to the provider |
| Training Allowance | RM10 to RM20 a day while attending approved training, depending on your previous assumed salary |
How to claim step by step
Gather your MyKad, your termination letter (it should state the reason you lost your job), recent payslips and bank details. Apply online or at a PERKESO office within 60 days, and register on the MYFutureJobs portal to search for work. Once approved, complete the Re-Employment Placement Form. Required documents and portals can change, so confirm on perkeso.gov.my before you file.
Benefit changes under review
The government has said it is reviewing the EIS Act, with possible improvements to some allowances. Check PERKESO for the current rates before you apply.
Check your EIS contribution
The SOCSO and EIS calculator shows your own monthly contribution.
Frequently asked questions
How do I claim EIS from PERKESO?
Apply online or at a PERKESO office within 60 days of losing your job, with your MyKad, termination letter, payslips and bank details, and register on MYFutureJobs to search for work.
How long do I have to claim EIS?
60 days from the date you lost your employment.
Can I claim EIS if I resign?
No. Voluntary resignation, dismissal for misconduct and mandatory retirement are not eligible causes of job loss.
How much is the EIS Job Search Allowance?
It is paid monthly for 3 to 6 months at 80%, 50%, 40%, 40%, 30% and 30% of your assumed monthly wage over the months.
How much EIS is deducted from my salary?
0.2% of monthly wages up to RM6,000, so at most RM12 a month. Your employer pays another 0.2%.