The basic living expenses for orphans are paid to minors who have lost their parents and cannot find their biological parents. "Minors" refers to citizens under the age of 18 as stipulated in the Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) on the Protection of Minors. Orphans who are still studying in school after adulthood continue to enjoy the basic living expenses of orphans.

Orphans scattered in the society are not less than 600 yuan per person per month, and orphans provided by welfare institutions are not less than 1 10,000 yuan per person per month. The specific standards shall be determined by the development zones of counties, urban areas and municipal levels in accordance with the principle of not less than the local average living standard, and a natural growth mechanism for the basic living standard of orphans shall be established.