This section covers money and social safeguards. It lists how much you might receive, what costs could be waived, which services may be available, and what eligibility criteria apply — but it does not translate these figures into any health impact. Policies change yearly and vary by region, so always refer to the official figures released for your local area. Items are ordered from those requiring no spending, minimal paperwork, and quick results at the top, while those demanding long-term qualification periods or carrying large regional differences appear toward the end. Suggestions based purely on personal experience without any official documentation are placed last.
English text comes from the independent translation maintained by dlgrv. New entries without a translation appear in Chinese. The author's Chinese original is authoritative for the latest content. Translation snapshot: dlgrv/HowToLiveBetter · 11818c6
Apply for unemployment benefits online after losing a job
If both your employer and you have paid into yibao (basic medical insurance) for at least one year and you didn’t resign voluntarily, you can receive payments after registering as unemployed. For those with one to five years of contributions, the maximum payout period is 12 months; for five to ten years, it’s 18 months; and for ten years or more, it’s 24 months. During this time, your employee medical insurance premiums are covered by unemployment insurance.
Cost
There is no cost. You can submit the application via smart…
Benefit
Eligibility requires three conditions: first, both your employer and you must have contributed to social insur…
02Evidence A
First file a complaint with the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, then apply for final and binding one-instance arbitration — both options are free, and most cases yield results within a few months.
Both processes cost nothing. Start by calling 12333 or visiting the local Human Resources and Social Security Bureau’s labor inspection office. Within 60 working days of acceptance, they will investigate and can order the employer to pay wages; failure to comply results in an additional penalty of 50% to 100% of the owed amount. If that doesn’t work, file for arbitration, which must be concluded within 45 days. However, “case closure” does not guarantee payment: if the employer has no assets or the owner has fled, even a favorable ruling may leave you unpaid. In 2024, the total amount of wages successfully recovered through enforcement efforts reached 2.3 trillion yuan.
Cost
There are no fees for either option. You’ll need to gather…
Benefit
The first step is to file a complaint. Call 12333 or visit the local labor inspection office. By law, they mus…
03Evidence A
If you can’t afford legal fees, apply for free legal aid – cases involving unpaid wages, alimony, or workplace injuries all qualify.
If you’re trying to recover unpaid wages, claim alimony, secure social insurance or dibao benefits, or seek compensation after acting in defense of others, you’re eligible for free legal aid. Just call 12348 or visit your local legal aid center. Since 2022, you no longer need to return to your hometown to obtain proof of financial hardship – a simple, honest statement of your financial situation is enough. For defendants facing the death penalty, or those who are blind, deaf, mute, or minors, a lawyer is assigned regardless of their financial status.
Cost
Zero. Legal aid costs nothing for those who receive it.
Benefit
The State Council’s regulations explicitly list six categories of civil cases covered by legal aid. They read:…
04Evidence A
When you have nowhere else to turn, go to a shelter – they provide food, lodging, and even a ticket home
Shelters provide food and a place to stay; if you fall ill, they send you to a hospital and help you contact your family. Those who can’t afford a ticket home receive one. Generally, you may stay no longer than 10 days. Entry and departure are completely voluntary – it’s not a detention center, and no cash is handed out. Tickets are issued based on your household registration or current residence, so think carefully about where you want to go before you arrive.
Cost
There is no cost. You can go to your local civil affairs b…
Benefit
Shelters supply food and lodging that meet basic hygiene standards. If you suddenly fall seriously ill while t…
05Evidence A
Use free public employment services and gig platforms first — avoid paid agencies
Public agencies like employment service centers and human resources markets provide job matching, career guidance, policy advice, and both employment and unemployment registration — all completely free of charge. The law explicitly forbids them from charging for these services. Registering on gig platforms and posting job listings there is also free. Use this same registration to apply for unemployment benefits or to be recognized as someone facing employment difficulties.
Cost
No cost at all. Register at any public employment service…
Benefit
The law guarantees that the following services must be provided at no cost: advice on employment policies;
06Evidence B
Apply for emergency assistance when unexpected crises occur
If a sudden crisis strikes — like a fire, car crash, or a family member’s sudden serious illness — and it temporarily overwhelms your ability to cover basic living costs, you can apply for emergency assistance through the township government or subdistrict office. You do not need to already be a dibao recipient. Most often, a one-time payment is issued; the amount varies widely by region.
Cost
There is no cost. Simply submit an application to the town…
Benefit
Two types of households qualify for this assistance. The first includes families facing sudden, unavoidable ex…
07Evidence A
Apply for dibao if your household income falls below the local threshold
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. Applications must be submitted at your hukou location. Owning property, a vehicle, or significant savings, or having children capable of supporting you, may disqualify you from receiving dibao.
Cost
There are no fees. Household members living together must…
Benefit
Households whose per-capita income remains below the local dibao standard and whose assets comply with regulat…
08Evidence A
Apply for the two disability subsidies using a disability certificate
Disabled individuals living in dibao households can receive a living subsidy. Those with a disability rating of level 1 or 2 who require long-term care are eligible for a care subsidy as well. Both subsidies may be claimed simultaneously. Each province sets its own amounts, which vary widely; check with your local office for exact figures. Bring your second-generation disability certificate and file one application at the subdistrict or township office.
Cost
There is no cost. Simply bring your disability certificate…
Benefit
The State Council has established these two subsidies. The first is the Living Subsidy for Disabled Persons in…
09Evidence A
Don’t let your annual dibao payment lapse — it’s only 400 RMB per person. Eligible low‑income households may receive subsidies.
On top of the 400 RMB personal contribution, the government adds roughly 700 RMB per person. The most vulnerable groups get the full amount covered; dibao recipients receive a set government subsidy. Letting the payment lapse carries a penalty: after enrollment outside the window or after a break in payments, there is a mandatory 3‑month waiting period before any benefits apply. For each additional year without continuous coverage, the waiting period increases by one month (starting 2025 nationwide).
Cost
Each individual must pay at least 400 RMB per year. This i…
Benefit
Apart from the individual contribution, the state provides an extra subsidy of at least 670 RMB in 2024 and at…
10Evidence A
When suffering from a serious illness, first use yibao, dibao, medical assistance, and register for cross‑regional treatment — avoid online loans
The sequence is fixed. Before any cross‑provincial hospitalization, register through the “National Medical Insurance Administration” WeChat account; this allows direct settlement at discharge without paying the full amount upfront. If the post‑reimbursement cost remains high, apply for medical assistance at the township or subdistrict level. Employees are granted a medical leave period of 3–24 months based on seniority, during which they cannot be fired. Steer clear of online loans and high‑interest private borrowing. In total, 120 people have benefited from this system.
Cost
There is no expense involved. The steps must be followed i…
Benefit
The state groups basic medical insurance, dibao, and medical assistance into what is known as the “triple safe…
11Evidence A
Replace a lost ID card immediately; get a temporary ID if you need it urgently
For standard replacements, the new ID card is issued within 60 days from the date you submit the application. If you need it right away, you can also request a temporary ID card on the spot; it is delivered within three days and remains valid for three months. Without an ID card, you cannot apply for jobs, rent housing, open bank accounts, or receive government benefits — it is a prerequisite for all such procedures.
Cost
There is a statutory fee for issuing ID cards. The exact a…
Benefit
Once you submit the application form for a resident ID card, authorities must issue the card within 60 days. D…
12Evidence B
After registering as unemployed, seek recognition as a person facing employment difficulties to receive social insurance subsidies or placement in public-interest jobs
Once recognized, you can receive subsidies for your own social insurance contributions — generally up to two-thirds of what you actually pay, for a maximum period of three years. If you are hired by an employer or placed in a public-interest job, the employer also qualifies for subsidies covering its portion of social insurance costs. Wages for these public-interest positions are set at or near the local minimum wage. While pay is modest, these jobs provide social insurance coverage, making them ideal as a transitional step. Keep in mind that most social insurance subsidies are paid retroactively, meaning you must pay the premiums first.
Cost
There is no cost involved. You simply apply for recognitio…
Benefit
After receiving this recognition, individuals who are unemployed and pay social insurance on their own (classi…
13Evidence A
Apply for vocational training subsidies, employment internship subsidies, and social insurance subsidies during unemployment — don’t pay for training courses out of pocket
You won’t have to pay for training at all. If you complete a qualifying course and obtain the required certificate, you can receive a vocational training subsidy — up to three times per person. Recent college graduates who haven’t found work within two years, as well as unemployed youth aged 16–24, may also join employment internships and receive basic living allowances during that time. First, check your local Human Resources and Social Security Bureau website for the “List of Eligible Vocational Training Subsidies” — don’t sign up for paid courses on your own.
Cost
There is no direct cost. However, the training itself take…
Benefit
According to regulations issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau,…
14Evidence A
Job hunting isn’t just about sending resumes — use a systematic approach: learn skills, set goals, and ask for help
When we combine data from 47 studies, people who took part in job-hunting coaching are 2.67 times more likely to land a job than those who didn’t. The most effective parts of this coaching are: learning concrete job-hunting techniques, clearly describing yourself, setting clear goals, taking proactive action, and asking others for help. The last point translates to asking friends or contacts for referrals and introductions.
Cost
There’s no monetary cost. You’ll need to spend 1–2 hours e…
Benefit
A combined analysis of 47 peer-reviewed studies on job-hunting coaching — all of which used experimental or qu…
15Evidence A
No deposits, no ID retention, no “training loans”, no pyramid schemes, no usurious loans
Employers are not allowed to keep your ID or other documents, nor demand any deposits or payments under any pretext. Violators must return all money and face fines ranging from 500 to 2000 yuan per person. If a job placement fails, recruitment agencies must refund any fees paid. “Training loans” that require upfront payment for training, as well as pyramid schemes that pay out based on recruiting new members, are both officially flagged as scams. For private loans, any interest exceeding four times the one‑year LPR is not enforceable by courts, though the principal must still be repaid.
Cost
Zero expense. If an employer or recruiter suggests “pay fi…
Benefit
Companies cannot retain your ID or other documents, cannot ask for guarantors, and cannot demand payments unde…
16Evidence B
Public rental housing for those with housing difficulties
You must meet three criteria simultaneously: you must have no housing locally, or your living space must fall below the required standard; your income and assets must also be below the set limits; and migrant workers must have held steady employment locally for a minimum period as stipulated. The exact waiting queue period is announced by local authorities. This is a long-term solution that won’t provide immediate relief, but signing up costs nothing, and the earlier you apply, the sooner you may be called.
Cost
There is no fee to apply. You must submit documents to the…
Benefit
Those who satisfy all three conditions are eligible to apply. First, they must have no housing locally or live…
17Evidence B
Keep food and housing costs to a minimum: opt for monthly shared housing instead of daily rentals, and cook at home or use senior meal services rather than ordering takeout.
In 2025, food accounted for 29.3% and housing for 21.7% of average national per‑person spending — together they make up over half of total expenses, so cutting these two categories yields the biggest savings. Based on the author’s experience, monthly rent for shared housing is cheaper than daily rentals, and cooking at home is less costly than ordering food. When job hunting, ask whether housing and meals are provided; such positions effectively eliminate these major expenses.
Cost
Finding a place to live takes 1–3 days. The security depos…
Benefit
In 2025, the average annual per‑person expenditure nationwide was 29,476 yuan. Of this amount, 8,631 yuan went…
18Evidence A
Don’t panic if your social insurance lapses: pension is calculated cumulatively, medical insurance is restored per rules
Pension benefits are based on total years of contribution, not on continuous service. A break in payments doesn’t reset the count; once you’ve accumulated at least 15 years by retirement age, you’ll receive monthly payments. Employees who have met the required contribution period no longer need to pay for medical insurance after retirement. Exact thresholds vary by region, so call 12393 for details in your area. The only real impact of a lapse is on eligibility for local programs that demand uninterrupted contributions, such as home‑buying, residency registration, or points‑based incentives.
Cost
No cost at all. Residents can pay for pension and medical…
Benefit
Basic pension is calculated from the total years of contribution;
19Evidence A
Even those who have served time, filed for bankruptcy, or ended up on a blacklist still have legal avenues to start over — provided they complete all required procedures.
Former inmates cannot be discriminated against regarding employment, education, or social insurance; the government must provide support to those in need. If a person was under 18 at the time of the crime and received a sentence of five years or less, their record is sealed, so they need not disclose it when joining the military or applying for jobs. The blacklist stays active for two years; once debts are paid, courts must remove the name within three working days. Adults, however, cannot have their criminal records sealed and must disclose them when enlisting or seeking employment.
Cost
There are no processing fees. Former inmates must register…
Benefit
Former inmates are entitled to equal rights under the law, including non-discrimination in employment, educati…
20Evidence B
Before facing a serious illness, consider adding a one‑year medical or critical‑illness policy to your basic medical insurance; make sure it includes the phrase “guaranteed renewal”.
These policies cover the portion of medical expenses that your yibao (basic medical insurance) does not pay, as well as any income lost while you’re unable to work. When shopping for a policy, look for the exact wording “guaranteed renewal”; without it, the plan may be discontinued or its price raised the following year. Be truthful about your health history — any concealment can lead to a denial of claims. First, make sure you’re enrolled in basic medical insurance; then you can consider this extra coverage.
Cost
For young people, a one‑year expense‑reimbursement medical…
Benefit
Regulatory authorities classify such products into two main types. Medical insurance reimburses you for actual…
21Evidence C
If there’s nowhere else to sleep, 24‑hour venues can only serve as a temporary overnight stop; shelters should be the first choice.
Airports and train stations can provide a place to spend the night; they have restrooms and power outlets. Yet no official data confirms they’re safe. Keep valuables close, decline food or drinks from strangers, and avoid isolated corners. It’s unsafe to sleep under bridges, by rivers, or at construction sites at night. Shelters offer free food and lodging — go there first.
Cost
Waiting areas at airports and train stations are usually f…