2023 is the fifth year after Shanghai launched the reform of government services on Government Online-Offline Shanghai. The Leading Group for Government Online-Offline Shanghai of Yangpu District, the Publicity Department of the CPC Yangpu District Committee and Yangpu District Integrated Media Center jointly released a series of reports on the fifth anniversary of Government Online-Offline Shanghai with a focus on changes in Yangpu District’s government service channels to demonstrate the convenience brought about by the reform.

Veterans are valuable assets to the Party and the country and important human resources. They are a fresh force for economic and social development, a major force for national defense education and a reserve force for national defense mobilization. The Veterans Affairs Bureau of Yangpu District strives to make military personnel and veterans respected by society. Adhering to impartiality and innovation, it aims to accelerate the integration of veterans affairs, facilitate the enjoyment of services without application, tamp the foundation for preferential treatment, integrate social resources, expand service channels, simplify procedures, optimize services and promote the steady and efficient development of the cause.

Simplifying procedures for veterans’ convenience

To improve the efficiency of veteran services, the Bureau launched the “one thing” services for veterans in September 2020, which involves 12 matters. Several procedures have been redesigned to realize integrated handling. The reform saves a lot of time and reduces the categories of materials that need to be submitted and the number of trips.

In terms of service channels, the Bureau has in-depth cooperation with institutions of higher education to extend service channels for college veterans to solve the problems faced by them. It also proactively works with social insurance authorities to smoothen the service channel for social insurance continuation so that veterans only need to take one trip to get it done.

To efficiently provide the “one thing” services, the Bureau puts window services at the core and integrates multiple service channels to achieve unified service standards and unified platform operations. In addition, green channels have been established for special groups such as elderly and disabled veterans to provide them with heart-warming services.

Optimizing the process to allow veterans to enjoy administrative benefits without application

In the past, administrative benefits for veterans required a series of time-consuming procedures. To optimize the process, the Bureau launched the “enjoyment without application” service. Now it only takes two steps: confirmation of veterans’ wishes and departmental cashing. For the administrative payment of the retirement pension for demobilized military cadres who have transferred to civilian work, the Bureau takes the initiative to handle the matter for eligible people. After the process is completed, the progress will be automatically sent to the Government Online-Offline Shanghai platform. Demobilized military cadres who have completed identification of identity can check the status of their retirement pension on the Suishenban app without submitting any materials.

As of August 2023, the Bureau has enabled enjoyment without application in several matters, including monthly payment of the retirement pension, payment of the retirement pension for veterans, payment of the retirement pension for demobilized military cadres who have transferred to civilian work, payment of the retirement pension for veteran cadres and payment of regular subsidies for veterans returning home because of sickness.

Tamping the foundation for preferential treatment for veterans

In 2022, the Bureau began to handle applications for preferential treatment cards in three ways—online application, on-site application and in-house application, and combined it with bank sub-branches and postal services. In just one month, it provided the first batch of more than 3,000 veterans and other recipients of preferential treatment in Yangpu District with publicity on policies about preferential treatment cards and relevant services. By far, Shanghai has launched the first batch of projects that provide exclusive preferential treatment for people with preferential treatment cards in the country, covering tourism, hotels, shopping, entertainment, airline services and wired communications. Various preferential treatment policies have been extended to cover more card users in other parts of the country, and the application of preferential treatment cards has begun to show results.

In the future, the Bureau will continue to do a good job in veterans affairs, open up the “last mile of veteran services,” give full play to the role of Government Online-Offline Shanghai in government services for veterans and promote innovation and favorable changes in veterans affairs.

Over the past five years, Yangpu District has always adhered to the concept of “a people’s city for the people” and regarded the expectations of enterprises and the people as the goal and direction of the reform of Government Online-Offline Shanghai. The next issue will present the results of the Medical Insurance Bureau of Yangpu District and the changes in Yangpu District’s government services in more detail.