Ministry of Civil Affairs: Eligible Disabled Elderly People Nationwide Can Apply for Elderly Care Service Consumption Subsidies at Their Place of Residence

On March 24, the Ministry of Civil Affairs held a special press conference to promote the progress of the elderly care service consumption subsidy program. Li Banghua, Director of the Department of Elderly Care Services, explained specific regulations regarding eligibility, disability assessments, and the use of consumption vouchers.

At the press conference

Li Banghua mentioned that the elderly care service consumption subsidy program for seniors with moderate or higher levels of disability is based on disability levels, changing the previous subsidy approach that primarily relied on economic status. Currently, the vouchers are issued electronically on a monthly basis, with the policy lasting until December 2026.

Regarding eligibility, the subsidy is available to seniors assessed as having moderate, severe, or complete disability levels. Those receiving assistance such as special hardship support or subsidies for elderly with economic difficulties in centralized care are not included. Eligibility is a concern for many seniors and their families. This policy removes household registration restrictions; all seniors who meet the criteria across the country can apply directly at their current residence. Additionally, seniors with moderate or higher disability levels holding residence permits in Mainland China from Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan can enjoy the same benefits. The policy can also be combined with long-term care insurance; seniors already covered by long-term care insurance can deduct relevant benefits from their personal expenses, and the remaining costs for elderly care services can still be offset with vouchers.

For disability assessment, the policy aims to reduce the burden of evaluation costs for seniors. Starting from July 2024, seniors who have already been assessed and confirmed as having moderate or higher disability do not need to be reassessed; once the assessment results are recognized by civil affairs departments, they can apply. For new assessments, if the result is moderate or higher disability, vouchers can be used to offset up to 100 yuan of costs. The Ministry of Civil Affairs actively guides local authorities to strengthen the cultivation and management of assessment agencies and conduct professional training to ensure objective and accurate results.

Regarding voucher usage, no cash will be issued; all are electronic discount coupons used to offset elderly care service expenses. The offset rates are 40% for institutional elderly care services and 50% for community-based home care services, with a maximum of 800 yuan per person per month for each type. Eligible services include home visits, institutional care, respite services, day care, etc. If home caregivers are affiliated with elderly care institutions or qualified domestic service agencies, they can also be offset. Vouchers are issued per prefecture-level city; seniors living across cities can simply update their residence address on the platform to reapply.

For application channels and subsequent management, vouchers are uniformly applied for through the Ministry of Civil Affairs’ “Minzhengtong” app. Seniors or their representatives can follow the instructions on the platform’s dedicated page. One representative can handle applications for up to 12 seniors. To address issues such as seniors unfamiliar with smartphones or complicated procedures, the Ministry of Civil Affairs is continuously optimizing the app’s user-friendliness, improving the application process, and enhancing convenience.

Li Banghua reminded that since policies vary slightly across regions, seniors and their families are advised to consult local civil affairs departments and elderly care service providers for specific procedures. The “Minzhengtong” app and the national elderly care service information platform will also provide timely updates. Everyone is welcome to follow and inquire.

Red Star News Reporter Liu Yazhou, Beijing

Edited by Xu Yuan

Reviewed by He Xianju