Applications for the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) 2014 can be made from Dec 23 to Jan 31, the Finance Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

It said people who had received the BR1M before only had to update their personal particulars, such as address, bank account and information on next-of-kin.

"New applicants can register online or manually by filling up the BR1M 2014 application form which can be obtained free of charge during the period," it added.

The BR1M 2014 application form can be obtained at the branch offices and service centres of the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Federal Development Department and Social Welfare Department or downloaded from the LHDN website at www.hasil.gov.my.

The BR1M 2014 payment will be made to the eligible applicants from February next year.

Close to 5.9 million households as well as two million unmarried individuals in the country were expected to benefit from the exercise.

Details can be obtained from the 1-800-88-2716 hotline from Dec 23 from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm.

When tabling Budget 2014 in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 25, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the BR1M 2014 payment for households with a total monthly income of RM3,000 and less will be raised from RM500 to RM650.

He also said that the payment for unmarried individuals aged 21 and above earning not more than RM2,000 a month would be increased from RM250 to RM300.

People aged 60 and above and living alone would also receive a rise in the payment, from RM500 to RM650.

Besides, a contribution of RM50 will be made to the 1Malaysia People's Group Takaful Insurance or i-BR1M for all household recipients who will receive protection of up to RM30,000 in the event of death or permanent disability