Elderly subsidy program expanded

About 380,000 people in Beijing will benefit from a government subsidy program aiming to support the elderly and disabled from next year.

Jointly launched by the municipal civil affairs bureau and Beijing Disabled Persons' Federation, the city-wide program will give eligible senior citizens aged over 80, and those aged between 16 and 79 and who are severely disabled, a monthly coupon of 100 yuan ($15), which they can use to pay for services including dining, daycare and medical treatment.

The program began last year in 10 of the 18 districts as a pilot project to support home-based care for the elderly and the disabled. Only people aged above 90 were eligible, in addition to those without the ability to work. The monthly subsidy ranged from 50 to 250 yuan.