What equipment can I get for free with a disability certificate? Do I have to have a license? Say it all at once
1. Holders of disability certificates can apply for these assistive devices for free
According to the latest "Catalogue of Rehabilitation Assistive Devices in China" released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in 2026, 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) across the country have implemented assistive device supplements. The stickers are fully covered, and the assistive devices that disabled persons with certificates can apply for cover more than 190 types in 6 categories. The core categories are as follows:
1. Physical disabilities
•Basic Basic protection type: ordinary manual wheelchair, folding walker, armpit crutches/canes, commode chair, non-slip bath chair, simple orthotics (such as foot and ankle orthotics); Thigh prostheses), upper limb prostheses, dynamic feedback ankle and foot orthoses (special for stroke rehabilitation), home lifting platforms;
• High-tech new additions: electric rehabilitation training bed (anti-pressure ulcer version), carbon fiber lightweight prostheses, 3D printed custom orthotics.
•Note: Prosthetics and orthotics require professional fitting and are usually distributed by the Disabled Persons' Federation after centralized fitting.
2. Vision/hearing/speech disabilities
• Vision: blind cane, magnifying glass visual aid, electronic visual aid, computer screen reading software for the blind, guide dog supporting equipment (in some areas ;
3. Intellectual/psychiatric disabilities
•Intelligence: cognitive training aids, life skills training sets, anti-lost positioning bracelets (children are preferred);
•Mental: emotional stability training equipment, rehabilitation assessment tools (need to be combined with professional rehabilitation services).
Free collection rules
• Fully free areas: Tianjin, Shanxi, Jiangsu and other 14 provinces and regions, assistive devices in the catalog are 100% free with a certificate;
•Differentiated free areas: Beijing, Shanghai and other 12 provinces and autonomous regions, subsistence allowance households, severely disabled people, and disabled children are fully free, and ordinary disabled persons with certificates receive 50%-80% subsidies;
• Year limit: Most assistive devices have a service life of 3-5 years, and they can apply for replacement when they expire; multiple disabled people can apply for 2 types of assistive devices across categories.
2. Core question: Is a disability certificate necessary to receive assistive devices?
Answer: Not absolutely, but the disability certificate is the core certificate, and there are only two types of special circumstances that can be exceptions
1. General circumstances in which the certificate must be held
< p>The assistive device subsidy policy in most areas across the country is based on "holding a valid local disability certificate" as the basic condition -The disability certificate is the core basis for confirming the category, level and adaptation needs of the disability. Those without the certificate cannot enter the official application channel.
2. Special cases that do not require a certificate
• Disabled persons under 18 years old Children with disabilities: who have not applied for a disability certificate but have been diagnosed by a domestic tertiary hospital (a diagnosis certificate issued by an associate chief physician or above is required), can apply for assistive devices, covering children with cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, visual impairment, etc.;
•For example: Gansu, Zhangjiagang and other regions have clearly stipulated that disabled children without certificates can apply for children's exclusive assistive devices (such as cerebral palsy children's orthotics and children's hearing aids) for free with a hospital diagnosis certificate;
•Note: Non-children (such as adults with disabilities without a certificate) cannot enjoy free assistive devices without a disability certificate. They must first go to the local Disabled Persons' Federation to conduct a disability assessment and apply for a disability certificate before applying.
3. Application Practical Guide
1. Prepare materials
•Certificate holders: Original disability certificate + copy, ID card, household registration book (or residence permit, some cities support non-household registration), minimum living allowance certificate (if available, the subsidy ratio can be increased);
• Disabled children (without certificates): household registration book, diagnosis certificate from a tertiary hospital + medical record, guardian ID card.
2. Application channels (choose one)
•Offline: Go to the community (village) Disabled Persons' Federation or the street Disabled Persons' Federation at the place of household registration/residence Window, fill out the "Application Form for Adaptation of Assistive Devices";
•Online: Log in to the local government APP (such as "Guangdong Provincial Affairs" and "Zhejiang Office") or the official website of the Disabled Persons' Federation and upload materials for online application (it has been fully opened in Hubei, Jiangsu and other provinces).
3. Key steps: professional assessment
The Disabled Persons' Federation will arrange for a rehabilitation specialist/adapter to come to your home or to a designated institution for assessment to confirm the type and model of the adapted assistive device (such as recommending the type of wheelchair based on the degree of physical disability). Severely disabled people can apply for home assessment.
4. Collection method
• Physical distribution: The Disabled Persons’ Federation will deliver it to your home after unified purchase, and some large items ( Such as nursing beds) including installation services (mainstream model in Tibet, Inner Mongolia and other regions);
• Subsidy reimbursement: After purchasing the designated brand of assistive devices independently, you can submit the invoice to the Disabled Persons' Federation for reimbursement (Fujian, Hainan and other regions).
Tips to avoid pitfalls
• Material fraud will be disqualified for subsidies, and serious cases will bear legal liability;
•Assistive devices must be in the local "Subsidy Catalog". High-end products beyond the catalog are not free (such as imported smart wheelchairs);
•Assistive devices purchased by non-designated institutions cannot be reimbursed, and you need to consult the designated supplier of the Disabled Persons' Federation in advance.
4. Policy dividends: new benefits in 2026
1. Expansion of high-tech assistive devices:
2. Material upgrade: span>Graphene anti-pressure ulcer cushions, low-temperature thermoplastic orthotics and other more comfortable products are comprehensively promoted;
3. ServiceExcellent Transformation: Hubei, Gansu and other provinces have launched "Internet + Adaptation Service", and the progress can be checked online throughout the process.
Final suggestions
1. Check local policies first: Call the local Disabled Persons’ Federation (12385 Service Hotline for Disabled Persons) to confirm the "Assistive Device Subsidy Catalog" and the free ratio;
< span>2. Update certificates in a timely manner: Disability certificates must be renewed in advance when they expire to avoid affecting the application;
3. Pay attention to evaluation: Do not purchase assistive devices on your own. Professional evaluation can ensure suitability (for example, an inappropriate wheelchair may aggravate physical injuries). The core of the policy is to "guarantee the basics and benefit those who are in need". Regardless of whether they hold a certificate or not, disabled groups with actual needs can consult through formal channels - the disability certificate is a regular voucher, and special groups (such as disabled children) can enjoy benefits with a diagnosis certificate. The key is to find the right local application path.