Low-income families in Shanghai are to receive a 150-yuan (US$22) subsidy before the upcoming Spring Festival.

Each family that qualifies will get a "temporary holiday subsidy coupon" to buy food and daily necessities at designated shops, according to the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau.

Shanghai is spending 350 million yuan to help less fortunate locals. Seniors, the disabled and the unemployed can also receive a subsidy before the start of the Chinese New Year, which falls on January 26.

The bureau defines a low-income family as having an average income of 400 yuan or less per person each month. The subsidy is intended to both help needy residents enjoy the Spring Festival holiday and boost consumer spending to help the economy.

Similar subsidies are being offered elsewhere.

Families of Chengdu City in Sichuan Province on the so-called "five guarantees" list, which provides food, clothing, medical care, housing and burial expenses, will each get a 100-yuan shopping coupon.

Jiangsu Province also plans to give each member of a needy family 100 yuan for the Spring Festival.

(Shanghai Daily January 4, 2008)