Apply for emergency assistance when unexpected crises occur

If a sudden crisis strikes — like a fire, car crash, or a family member’s sudden serious illness — and it temporarily overwhelms your ability to cover basic living costs, you can apply for emergency assistance through the township government or subdistrict office. You do not need to already be a dibao recipient. Most often, a one-time payment is issued; the amount varies widely by region.

There is no cost. Simply submit an application to the township government or subdistrict office, explaining what happened at home — such as a fire, traffic accident, sudden serious illness of a family member, or an unexpected spike in essential expenses. After review and public notice, approval is granted by the county-level civil affairs bureau. Prepare documents according to the local checklist; usually one or two visits are required.

Two types of households qualify for this assistance. The first includes families facing sudden, unavoidable expenses — such as those caused by accidents or a family member’s sudden serious illness — who cannot afford even basic necessities like food, housing, or medical care. The second includes dibao households experiencing an unexpected rise in essential expenses that exceeds their capacity to pay. What kinds of expenses qualify and how much aid is given is determined and publicly announced by local governments at or above the county level (this nationwide system has been in place since 2014).

You do not need to already be a dibao recipient. Usually a one-time payment is issued; exact amounts differ widely across regions and are set by local authorities each year.

国务院 (2014, 2019 修订). 社会救助暂行办法（国务院令第 649 号，第四十七、四十八、四十九条）. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2019/content_5468952.htm；全国人大常委会 (2026). 社会救助法（2026 年 7 月 1 日起施行，第二十九条、第三十七条第二款、第五十条；第二十九条：「对遭遇突发性、紧迫性、灾难性等困难导致基本生活暂时出现严重困难的人员，由社会救助管理部门采取发放救助金或者配发实物等方式给予临时救助。」第三十七条第二款：「申请临时救助，由本人或者与其共同生活的家庭成员向急难发生地乡镇人民政府、街道办事处提出。」第五十条：「对申请临时救助，情况紧急、救助金额较小、需立即采取救助措施的，应当先行救助。」）. https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=016c39ca7739492cab1fe3aef22941c7；民政部、财政部 (2025). 关于进一步健全完善临时救助制度的意见（民发〔2025〕68 号，第二部分第一、二、五项：「“小额快救”办理时限一般不超过3天」「最高档救助标准不超过当地1个月最低生活保障标准」「原则上采取“一次审批、分阶段发放”的方式」「最高档救助标准不超过当地月最低生活保障标准的6倍」）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202601/content_7056503.htm