The country's economy is currently state-dominated. (Photo : www.china-embassy.org)
The new benefits system approved by the State Council on Wednesday for poor, disabled people and those who need long-term nursing will be rolled out starting in 2016, as revealed during a State Council Information Office news briefing on Friday.
Zou Ming, Civil Affairs Vice Minister, said, "The new system was approved by the State Council Executive Meeting on Wednesday and it is so far the only special benefits system for the disabled established at the national level."
Zou said that 27 provinces have established their own versions of such system, either for disabled people living in poverty or for those who are severely disabled. However, he noted that only 13 provide assistance to both categories.
Under the new national system, provinces and regions are urged to set their own criteria based on financial situations. It, however, noted that, generally, those in the first category should receive no less than 50 yuan per month and those in the second one, at least 100 yuan per month.
"At least 10 million disabled people living in poverty and some other 10 million severely disabled people will benefit from the system," Zou remarked.
China has an estimated 85 million disabled persons, Cheng Kai, China Disabled Persons' Federation Vice Chairman, said.
"Families with a disabled member have long been plagued by the plight of having less income and big outgoings for nursing. The implementation of the new subsidy will gradually relieve disabled families' economic burdens," Cheng added.
Citing that disabled people living in different areas receive varying amounts of assistance, Zou also noted that there is a need to advise local government units on how they should make adjustments.
"With economic development, the benefit will gradually increase," Zou said.
