After registering as unemployed, seek recognition as a person facing employment difficulties to receive social insurance subsidies or access to public welfare jobs

Once recognized, paying social insurance yourself qualifies for a subsidy, in principle no more than two-thirds of what you actually pay, for at most 3 years. If a unit hires you or you are placed in a public-welfare post, that unit’s share of social insurance is also subsidized. Subsidies for public-welfare posts refer to the local minimum wage; the pay is modest but includes social insurance, so they suit a transition. Social insurance subsidies are often paid after you contribute, so you must advance the money first.

Cost

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

Benefit

After receiving this recognition, individuals who are not employed and pay their own social insurance premiums — known as flexible workers — become eligible for subsidies. These subsidies generally cover up to two-thirds of actual payments, for a maximum duration of three years. Employers hiring such individuals or placing them in public welfare jobs also receive subsidies covering their contributions toward pension, medical, and unemployment insurance. Public welfare jobs are positions created and funded by the government, with priority given to people facing employment difficulties. Additionally, one-time job-seeking subsidies are available for recent college graduates from dibao-receiving households, zero-employment households, or extremely poor families; disabled graduates and those who have taken national student loans also qualify. These subsidies are disbursed during the academic year following graduation (national framework; specific eligibility criteria and amounts are determined locally).

Notes

Public welfare jobs offer modest wages but include valuable social insurance benefits, making them ideal for a transition period. Most social insurance subsidies are paid after the fact, requiring upfront payment of premiums. For detailed eligibility requirements, contact 12333 or your local neighborhood office.

Sources · 2

1. 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）. gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202401/content_69264…
2. 全国人大常委会 (2007, 2015 修正). 就业促进法（第五十二、五十三条）. gov.cn/guoqing/2021-10/29/content_5647636.htm