Qingdao recently increased its subsistence allowance for low-income urban and rural residents, according to the city's civil affairs bureau. The monthly subsistence allowance for poor urban residents grew by 20 percent, or 70 yuan, while the annual allowance for poor rural residents jumped by more than 44 percent, or 804 yuan. The increase takes the city to the lead in Shandong Province for allowance levels. In addition, other special subsidies for handicapped people have been adjusted aong with those for the elderly, those with no family and single parent families. More than 400 million yuan will be spent on subsidizing disafvantaged residents next year. (Li Hao, Li Lili) | 