Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region has extended its minimum living subsidy mechanism to include more rural, low-income families, local authorities said Monday.

According to a circular issued by the regional government, rural residents are entitled to minimum living subsidies if their families' annual per capita income falls below 1,450 yuan (228 U.S. dollars). The threshold is 150 yuan higher than the previous limit of 1,300 yuan.

Residents that qualify for the minimum living subsidy can receive annual benefits totaling 564 yuan to 1,070 yuan, according to their family members' working abilities, said the circular.

Tibet established its minimum living subsidy mechanism in 2007, initially covering households with an annual per capita income of less than 800 yuan. This is the fourth time for the regional government to raise the threshold.