By Wang Liejun, Research Department of Social Development, DRC

Research Report, Special Issue, No 18, 2016 (Total NO 1493) 2016-4-25

Abstract: During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, it is suggested that efforts should be made to improve the social relief and assistance system from the following aspects. First, all residents entitled to subsistence allowances should receive them when the need arises. On the basis of that, we should appropriately elevate the policy goals, mainly guaranteeing survival-oriented demand and at the same time paying attention to developmental and improvement-oriented demand. Second, we should promote the linkage of the social assistance system with relevant social systems, gradually include provisions to particularly poor people into the minimum living allowance and other special assistance schemes, straighten up the extra items relating to the minimum living allowance, expand the coverage of special social assistance to low-income households apart from households receiving minimum assistance, and better match the minimum living allowance with labor market policies. Third, it is necessary to accelerate coordination of social assistance between urban and rural areas and between different regions to reduce their differences. Fourth, we should straighten up the relationship between the central and local governments, clarify their respective funding accountabilities in light of their local conditions, and hand over the managerial responsibilities of social assistance to upper level governments. And fifth, it is necessary to improve the methods of formulating minimum living allowance standards and to formulate more effective target methods.

Key words: social assistance, suggestions, the 13th Five-Year Plan period