Childcare Allowance

The “Childcare Allowance” is a financial aid system designed to contribute to the stability of households, supporting the healthy development of children.

Everyone residing in Japan and raising a child, up until the first March 31st after the child has turned 18

Note: If the child’s birthday is on April 1st, the allowance will be granted until the March 31st before the child turns 18.

When both parents are raising the child, the parent with the higher income is considered the primary provider and becomes the eligible recipient of the allowance. However, depending on factors such as residence tax, health insurance, and other circumstances, the primary provider may differ.

• When neither the mother nor the father is the recipient, Childcare Allowance can still be granted, if a statement of custody and financial responsibility for the eligible child is submitted
• In the event of divorce or other circumstances resulting in the parents living in separate residencies, the parent living with the child will be preferred to receive Childcare Allowance. (A copy of documents issued by a court will be required)

Note: “Separate residencies” is in principle based on different addresses according to the Basis Resident Register. If moving out is difficult or not possible yet (i.e. negotiations about properties, housing, or domestic violence), please consult with the Children Division at City Hall. (For translation/interpretation assistance, please reach out to the Regional Revitalization Division)

• Childcare Allowance will also be provided to child-rearing facilities
• Public servants will receive Childcare Allowance from their respective employing organization (Self-employed individuals are excluded)

Note: If you are a future public servant who has been receiving the allowance from the city, or a former public servant who is retiring, additional administrative procedures are required. In any case, please provide a copy of your "jirei" (official notice of appointment, transfer, or retirement)

• Before the age of 3
  1st and 2nd child: 15.000/child   3rd child and above: 30.000/child
• From 3 to 18
  1st and 2nd child: 10.000/child   3rd child and above: 30.000/child

Up until March 31st after children have reached the age of 22, they will still be counted as children as long as they are financially dependent on their parents. This includes students.

Generally, allowance will be granted the following month following the application. However, if the child's birth date or the scheduled move-out (transfer) date is near the end of the month, and the application is submitted within 15 days from the day after the transfer date, the allowance will be paid starting from the month of application — even if the application is submitted in the following month.

If the final (15th) day of the submission period falls on a day when the office is closed (such as a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday), the next business day will be treated as the deadline.

If any required documents are missing at the time of application, you may still submit the invoice.

Please note that if the application is submitted after the deadline, you may not be eligible to receive the Childcare Allowance for that month.

Allowance payments covering the two preceding months will generally be made on the 10th of each even-numbered month. If the 10th falls outside of business hours, the payment will instead be processed on the preceding business day.

• February 10: Allowance for December / January
• April 10: Allowance for February / March
• June 10: Allowance for April / May
• August 10: Allowance for June / July
• October 10: Allowance for August / September
• December 10: Allowance for October / November

Note: Please submit any changes to your designated bank account by the 15th of the month prior to payment.

1. Bankbook or cash card showing the applicant’s name and bank account information
2. Applicant’s and spouse’s My Number Card or My Number Notification Card
3. Photo ID for identification (My Number Card, passport, residence card, driver’s license, etc.)
4. Applicant’s health insurance card or Certificate of Pension Enrollment (nenkin ka’nyuu shoumeisho)

If the child or child’s siblings are residing in separate residencies, please submit the child’s My Number Card as well.

The income certificate and the child’s certificate of residence will be verified through official records, including the My Number system.

1. Birth of the first child
2. Moving in from another municipality (within Japan)
3. Becoming a public servant or retiring from public service
4. An increase in the number of children being raised (due to birth, adoption, etc.)
5. A decrease in the number of children being raised (due to loss of custody, etc.)
6. When the applicant is no longer responsible for the care or living expenses of older siblings that are included in the multiple-child calculation
7. Name changes of the applicant, spouse, or children
8. Address changes of the applicant, spouse, or children (including moves within the city or abroad)
9. Changes to pension status (including for public servants)
10. Marriage or divorce
11. When the child is placed in a child-rearing facility
12. Death of the recipient or the child

If the eligibility requirements for the allowance are no longer met, any payments made after that point must be returned.

For any questions, please contact the Children Division at 0984-23-1278.

For English-speaking support, please contact the Regional Revitalization Division at 0984-23-1148.

The relevant application forms can be found under the section labeled 児童手当 （jidou teate, “Child Allowance”）starting with ‘B’. The specific forms required will vary depending on your circumstances:

https://www.city.kobayashi.lg.jp/soshikikarasagasu/shinseishodownload/911.html (JP Only)