Shenzhen will raise the minimum standard for low-income families from 415 yuan (US$82) to 450 yuan per capita per month.
The population living below the new standard is expected to increase by 1,000 after the rise, the civil affairs bureau said. This will make them eligible for a government subsidy.
The city now has 4,575 low-income families with a total of 12,699 people. The government spent 55.22 million yuan to subsidize the families in 2009. The increased minimum standard will be the same as Shanghai and above the level of other major Chinese cities. The increase will cost an additional 9 million yuan.
The civil affairs bureau is considering establishing a mechanism to tie the low-income standard to fluctuations in prices and salary levels. The plan has been submitted to the city government for approval.
(By Han Ximin)
