Apply online for unemployment benefits if you’ve lost your job

1. Apply online for unemployment benefits if you’ve lost your job

Cost: There is no cost. You can submit the application via smartphone using any of three portals: the “12333 Mobile App”, the e‑Social Security Card mini‑program in WeChat or Alipay, or the National Social Insurance Public Service Platform. Having a social security card or ID is enough; in most regions you won’t need to visit an office. The prerequisite is to first register as unemployed.

In plain terms: If both your employer and you have paid into the yibao (basic medical insurance) system for at least one year and you didn’t resign voluntarily, you can receive payments after completing unemployment registration. If contributions total between one and five years, benefits last up to 12 months; between five and ten years, up to 18 months; and for ten or more years, up to 24 months. During this period, the unemployment insurance also covers your employee medical insurance premiums. The total number of years of contributions is 1999.

Benefit: To qualify you must meet three criteria: (1) your employer and you have each contributed to unemployment insurance for at least one year; (2) you lost the job through no fault of your own (legally termed “termination not due to personal choice”); and (3) you have registered as unemployed and are actively seeking work. The duration of benefits depends on your contribution history — up to 12 months for 1–5 years of contributions, 18 months for 5–10 years, and 24 months for 10+ years. Monthly amounts are set by provincial governments and vary by region; they are generally above the urban dibao level yet below the local minimum wage. The national aim is to gradually raise these payments to 90% of the minimum wage. While receiving benefits, you retain full eligibility for employee medical insurance, with premiums paid by the unemployment insurance fund on your behalf.

Evidence grade: A

Sources: State Council of China (1999). Unemployment Insurance Regulations (State Council of China Order No. 258, Articles 14, 16, 17, and 18; Article 16: "Unemployment insurance benefits are calculated from the date of unemployment registration"). <https://xzfg.moj.gov.cn/front/law/detail?LawID=517>; Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China. National Human Resources and Social Security Government Service Platform·Unemployment Insurance Benefit Application Guide. <https://www.12333.gov.cn/portal/common/bszn/sydysl?pfaId=202105281700000004>; National Development and Reform Commission of China Employment Department (2022). The unemployment insurance benefit standard will be gradually increased to 90% of the minimum wage. <https://www.ndrc.gov.cn/fggz/jyysr/jysrsbxf/202206/t20220627_1328819.html>; Liaoning Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security (2019). Notice on further adjustments to unemployment insurance standards: "In order to implement the "Guiding Opinions of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China on Adjusting Unemployment Insurance Benefits" (Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China Issue [2017] No. 71] "Gradually increase the unemployment insurance standard to 90% of the minimum wage standard" and other requirements. <https://rst.ln.gov.cn/rst/zfxx/zc/ywfl/shbx/2024092014161280895/index.shtml>; National People's Congress Standing Committee (2010). Social Insurance Law (Article 48). <https://fgk.chinatax.gov.cn/zcfgk/c100009/c5192937/content.html> (State Taxation Administration of China Policy and Regulations Database)

Notes: Voluntary resignations do not qualify as “termination not due to personal choice”. Unemployment insurance pays your employee medical insurance premiums while you receive benefits. Exact amounts differ widely across provinces; always refer to the figures published by your local authority. The “90% of minimum wage” target originates from a 2017 guideline issued jointly by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Finance (Document No. 71 [2017]), which states that benefits should be “gradually raised to 90% of the minimum wage”; this is a long‑term goal, not an immediate standard.