Apply for dibao if your household income falls below the local threshold

7. Apply for dibao if your household income falls below the local threshold

Cost: There are no fees. Household members living together must submit a written application to the local township government or subdistrict office where the hukou is registered. If handling it yourself proves difficult, you may ask the villagers' committee or residents' committee to assist. Your household’s income and assets will be verified. Typically, you’ll need to make two to three trips, bringing along ID cards, hukou documents, and proof of income and assets. The main challenges are disclosing all your financial details for inspection and waiting for the public notice period to end.

In plain terms: If the total household income divided by the number of members stays below the local dibao threshold and your family’s assets also meet the requirements, you can apply. As of late 2024, the average monthly dibao amount nationwide was 798.1 yuan per person in cities and 593.9 yuan per person in rural areas. What you receive is the dibao line minus your household’s per-person income. Owning property, a vehicle, or significant savings, or having children capable of supporting you, may disqualify you from receiving dibao.

Benefit: Households whose per-capita income remains below the local dibao standard and whose assets comply with regulations are entitled to dibao payments. In late 2024, the average monthly dibao amount stood at 798.1 yuan per person in urban areas and 593.9 yuan per person in rural areas. Approximately 6.25 million urban residents and 33.615 million rural residents receive dibao benefits. Dibao is paid monthly as the difference: local dibao standard minus household per-capita income. For example, if the local standard is 798.1 yuan and household income is 500 yuan per person per month, each person receives 298.1 yuan, not 798.1 yuan. The standard is set by multiplying the previous year’s per-capita consumer spending in the area by a fixed percentage, with periodic adjustments. In essence, it reflects how much residents typically spend per person in a given region (this figure varies by location across the country).

Evidence grade: A

Sources: State Council of China (revised in 2014, 2019). Interim Measures for Social Assistance (State Council of China Decree No. 649, Articles 9, 10, 11; Article 12: "The Ministry of Civil Affairs of China of the County-level People's Government shall issue minimum living allowances on a monthly basis based on the difference between the per capita income of family members living together below the local minimum living allowance standard"). <https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2019/content_5468952.htm>; National Bureau of Statistics of China (2025). Social undertakings are developing for the better and people's livelihood and well-being are constantly improving - Social and people's livelihood statistical report since the "14th Five-Year Plan". <https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202509/content_7042627.htm>; Ministry of Civil Affairs of China and other four departments (2024). Guidance on further improving the determination and adjustment of minimum living security standards (Minfa [2024] No. 16). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202403/content_7007237.htm>

Notes: Dibao serves as a final safety net; applications must be filed at your hukou location. Exceeding local asset limits or having children able to support you may result in a denial. Once approved, additional perks follow: financial assistance is available for basic medical insurance (see Item 9 for details), medical aid can be accessed (see Item 10), and legal aid is granted regardless of financial status (see Item 3).