3 Reasons Why BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Death Benefit Claims Are Rejected
Claims for death benefits (JKM) from BPJS Ketenagakerjaan are not always automatically approved. There are several conditions that can lead to claim rejections, even if the participant is registered in the programme.
“Be careful, JKM benefit claims can fail if these matters are overlooked. Ensure you are actively registered and all requirements are met, so that benefits from BPJS Ketenagakerjaan can still be provided in accordance with the provisions,” stated BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, quoted from its official Instagram on Tuesday (28/4/2026).
BPJS Ketenagakerjaan explains that a common issue is misunderstanding the type of coverage. First, JKM is only provided for deaths that are not caused by work accidents.
If a participant dies due to a work-related accident, the applicable benefit is from another programme, namely Work Accident Insurance (JKK). The second factor is participant status, which is also crucial.
“JKM benefits can only be given to active participants. For non-wage earners (BPU), there are specific contribution period requirements that must be fulfilled before benefits can be claimed,” said BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.
Third, administrative issues often become obstacles. Incomplete documents can result in claim rejections. Although there is no time limit for submissions that would cause benefits to lapse, complete paperwork remains a primary requirement for the disbursement process to proceed.
BPJS Ketenagakerjaan reminds participants to ensure their registration status remains active and all documents are complete before submitting a claim. This is important so that the rights of heirs can be provided in accordance with the provisions.
The JKM benefits received by heirs are quite substantial. For participants who pass away after 2 December 2019, the compensation includes Rp20 million in cash, a lump-sum periodic payment of Rp12 million, and funeral expenses of Rp10 million.
In addition, scholarships are available for the participant’s children, provided there is a minimum contribution period of three years. These scholarships can be given to a maximum of two children, with values adjusted to the education level, ranging from Rp1.5 million per year for primary level to Rp12 million per year for higher education.
Rights to JKM benefits cannot be transferred and are only given to rightful heirs, such as spouses, children, or family members according to the specified order.
In certain conditions, claims can still be submitted even if the company has arrears of less than three months, as long as the participant is still active. However, if arrears exceed three months, the company must first pay the benefits to the heirs before seeking reimbursement from BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.