A community-based social assistance consultant system trialed in Changning District will be implemented citywide within the year, Shanghai's civil affairs authorities announced on Wednesday. Shanghai has built a complete livelihood guarantee network, while a few residents are not aware of relevant policies and even fail to enjoy the policies, said Li Yong, deputy director of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau. "Because social assistance involves a lot of departments and some policies are complicated, they don't know which policies they can apply for," said Li. The system has been tested in Changning District since last year, and the district has more than 300 such consultants now, providing accurate help to people in need. The consultant team covers areas such as civil affairs, health, education, housing and the disabled. Consultants visit needy families to evaluate their difficulties and demands focusing on education, employment and health, said Zhang Wei, director of the Changning District Civil Affairs Bureau. Services and solutions will then be provided based on their situation. So far, community-based consultants in the district have made evaluations of more than 7,000 needy people. "This changes the traditional form of people in need seeking help from authorities, and it also covers the 'silent' group who don't know how to get help from authorities," said Zhang. In the district, authorities spotted a child whose father had died and whose mother had a low income. Consultants assisted in subsidy application for the family. Psychological and study training was provided for the child. In another case, a 22-year-old woman living alone with disabilities and diseases like diabetes and pituitary adenoma received help from consultants. Her parents were divorced and she was burdened by debts. Her difficulties were noticed by community-based social assistance consultants who helped her apply for medical treatment subsidies and rent out a room of her apartment to pay her debts. They also helped her study at a training school. After the system is promoted citywide, needy families will also receive psychological relief services in addition to government and social resources in education, employment and medical treatment, the bureau said. They will also be assisted to get better accustomed to the community and social environment. In Xuhui District, authorities are using big data and intelligent means to spot those who need social assistance via one-stop platform.