Abstract
Understanding how social welfare programs shape public perceptions of government performance is vital for improving governance in rural China, where economic disparities and effective poverty alleviation remain critical challenges. This study investigates the relationship between rural subsistence allowances (rural dibao) and citizens’ perceptions of local government performance, examining changes following the implementation of Targeted Poverty Alleviation policies. Using China Social Survey data in 2013 and 2017, two-level mixed models reveal that before these policies, rural individuals living in poverty, whether receiving dibao or not, showed no significant differences in their perceptions of government performance. After implementation, however, dibao recipients reported significantly improved views on economic development and employment, especially among working-age groups, and heightened perceptions of fairness in political rights. This study underscores the importance of subjective perceptions in poverty governance and demonstrates the transformative potential of integrated policy approaches in enhancing governance outcomes in rural areas.