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.

There is no cost involved. You simply apply for recognition at a local public employment service center in your neighborhood or community. Requirements vary by region, but typically include being of advanced age, unemployed for a long time, from a dibao-receiving household, disabled, or part of a zero-employment family. First, you must complete the unemployment registration process before applying. The main difficulty lies in verifying whether you meet each criterion individually, and you must pay social insurance premiums upfront.

After receiving this recognition, individuals who are unemployed and pay social insurance on their own (classified as flexible workers) become eligible for subsidies. These subsidies generally cover up to two-thirds of actual contributions, for a maximum duration of three years. If employed or placed in a public-interest job, employers also receive subsidies proportional to the pension, medical, and unemployment insurance premiums they pay. Public-interest jobs are positions created and funded by the government; their wages follow local minimum wage standards. The government gives priority placement in these roles to persons facing employment difficulties. Additionally, a one-time job-search subsidy is available to university graduates from dibao-receiving households, zero-employment families, or extremely impoverished backgrounds, as well as to disabled graduates and those who have taken national student loans. This subsidy is disbursed during the academic year in which they graduate (national framework; exact eligibility criteria and amounts are determined locally).

Public-interest jobs offer modest wages but include social insurance benefits, making them suitable as a temporary solution. Most social insurance subsidies are paid after the fact, requiring upfront payment of premiums. For precise eligibility details, contact 12333 or your local neighborhood office.

财政部、人力资源社会保障部 (2023 修订). 就业补助资金管理办法（财社〔2017〕164 号，2023 年 12 月修订印发）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202401/content_6926462.htm；全国人大常委会 (2007, 2015 修正). 就业促进法（第五十二、五十三条）. https://www.gov.cn/guoqing/2021-10/29/content_5647636.htm