Disabled with non-Beijing hukou shut out of benefits
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To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) released its annual report Wednesday, claiming that disabled people's living standards have improved over the past year.
The average annual disposable income per capita of members of families that include a disabled person in cities and townships nationwide has jumped to 9,365.8 yuan ($1,405.80), a 9.2 percent increase over the previous year, the report said.
However, such improvements are not reflected in the lives of Beijing residents like Li Chong (not his real name), 31, from Henan Province with a congenital lower limb disability.
He says his living standards have been in decline for six years.
All lower-body disabled Beijing hukou (residence permit) holders can apply for a free motor scooter and plate number, but this beneficial regulation excludes holders of non-Beijing hukou. They even cannot apply for a license plate for small motorcycles acquired on their own.
Li, a computer repairman, was still able to make runs in his illegal motor tricycle until October 7, when the Municipal Public Security Bureau forbade gas stations from providing petroleum to any vehicle without plates. "I don't know how to support my family if I can't go out to fetch computer accessories."
In 2004, Li got a temporary residence permit. However, a spokeswoman surnamed Du from the Public Security and Traffic Administration Bureau said non-Beijing hukou holders still can't get scooter plates.
"I do feel pity for him," Du told the Global Times. "But I can't issue a plate number to a non-Beijing residence permit holder."
Chen Xinmin, the director of the research office at the CDPF, admitted that many disabled migrants suffer discrimination by the hukou system.
"They can't enjoy the same treatment in the city as other disabled Beijingers," he said.
Disabled people's benefits and welfare are managed by the same local governments as where their hukou are registered. "The hukou policy in Beijing cuts their benefits short," Chen said, adding that he hoped the situation will improve as the country develops.
