Parents who have lost their only child will get more compensation and enjoy favorable policies in access to rest homes and housing, according to an announcement by the National Health and Family Planning Commission on Thursday.

The announcement said that in 2014, the standard subsidy will increase to 340 yuan ($56) per person per month for urban couples who lost their only child but haven't adopted or given birth to another.

The notice, issued by the commission and other ministries including the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, added that the wife should be aged 49 or above.