Guizhou ensures basic and subsistence needs of impoverished people

In 2020, Southwest China's Guizhou province ensured all of the recorded impoverished people's basic and subsistence needs and eliminated the risks of falling into or falling back into poverty.

The province's government departments have monitored and screened the poverty-stricken population six times since the beginning of this year to help those most in need and establish files for those who've already shaken off poverty.

Guizhou divided the subsistence allowance standards for rural residents into three levels according to different areas' development needs. The province continues increasing the standards, which are now higher than the poverty line. In 2020, the average subsistence allowance was 4,318 yuan ($661.23) – 308 yuan more than the estimated poverty line.

Guizhou has 102,200 subsistence allowance recipients, including poverty-stricken people, severely disabled people and severely ill patients from impoverished families.

Fixed expenditures caused by disabilities, illnesses and non-compulsory education, and costs of obtaining employment such as traffic fees, communication fees and board and lodging fees will be excluded when calculating impoverished families' incomes.

For families that have employed members and a per capita income that exceeds the local subsistence allowance standard, the allowance will be deferred for three to 12 months. The length of the allowance suspension will be determined based on the family members' jobs. So far, 98,100 subsistence allowance recipients are enjoying the policy.

Guizhou also launched a one-time temporary assistance system for relocated impoverished residents to ensure their living standards during the relocation period. With a standard of 1,500 yuan per person, 2.27 billion yuan in funding was issued to 1.51 million people.

A subsistence allowance will be offered for relocated people with household registration, residence certification, or relocated citizen certification. So far, 386,000 relocated people are receiving the assistance.