Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Cost of Living (as of January 31, 2024)

About the cash benefit to help with the rising cost of living

The supplemental spending bill was passed by the National Diet on November 29, 2023, which includes the Comprehensive Economic Policy to Escape Deflation, determined by the Cabinet on November 2, 2023. The policy contains a support measure for low income households (70,000 yen per household).

As such, the City of Hiroshima will provide 70,000 yen per household exempt from residents tax from the Regional Revitalization Temporary Grant to Help with the Rising Cost of Living it received from the national government.

Inquiries

City of Hiroshima Office for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Cost of Living

• Tel: 082-569-4504
• Reception hours: 9:00 am-5:15 pm (excluding weekends, national holidays, and New Year holidays from December 29-January 3)

Note: the application period for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Cost of Electricity, Gas, and Food (30,000 yen per household) ended on September 29, 2023.

Application deadline

• May 31, 2024 (must be postmarked by this date)

​Note: the deadline for additional funds for households with newborns (born on or after December 2, 2023) is August 30, 2024 (Fri) (must be postmarked by this date)

Amount to be provided and eligible households

The City will provide eligible households* with 70,000 yen each. 

*Eligible households: households with a residence record in Hiroshima City in which all members are exempt from the 2023 per capita residents tax as of the reference date (December 1, 2023).

How to apply

(a) Households that qualified for and received the previous Cash Benefit to Help With the Rising Costs of Electricity, Gas, and Food, etc. (30,000 yen)​

• The City of Hiroshima will mail a notice to you with information such as the bank account the money will be deposited into and the date of deposit. Please be sure to read it carefully. If there are no issues with the information, then you do not need to submit any paperwork for this benefit.
• Notices have been sent as of December 22, 2023.

(b) Households exempt from per capital residents tax known to the City of Hiroshima other than (a)

• The City of Hiroshima will mail an application to you. Please fill out the paperwork and return them via the stamped and addressed return envelope included in the packet. 
• Applications have been sent as of December 22, 2023.

(c) Households exempt from per capita residents tax unknown to the City of Hiroshima 

• Examples of these households include: those without tax information in Hiroshima City (for reasons such as moving to Hiroshima City on or after January 2, 2023) or those who have become exempt from per capita residents tax due to an amended tax return.​
• In order to receive the benefit, you must submit an application.
• Please print the application form (located below), fill in the necessary information, and send them along with additional necessary documents to the City of Hiroshima Office for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Cost of Living

Additional funds for households with children

If the eligible households listed above have children who meet the following criteria, they will be provided with an additional 50,000 yen per child.

Criteria for children

• (1) Member of the household and 18 years or younger at the time of the reference date (December 1, 2023)

Note: refers to children born on or after April 2, 2005 (eligible until March 31 after the child's 18th birthday)

• (2) Child (newborn) born on or after the reference date (December 2, 2023)
• (3) Child is in a different household but is a dependent

How to apply

• Children who fall under (1): In general, no application necessary (will be deposited into the same bank account as the 70,000 yen benefit).
• Children who fall under (2) or (3): Please print the application form (located below), fill in the necessary information, and send them along with additional necessary documents to the City of Hiroshima Office for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Cost of Living.

Where to send applications

City of Hiroshima Office for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Costs of Living
Health and Welfare Planning Division, Health and Welfare Bureau, City of Hiroshima
Hiroshima Central Post Office PO Box 100
730-8712

Important notes when applying for the benefit

• Even if your household falls under (a), (b), or (c) above, you will be ineligible for the Benefit if all members of the household are dependents of a sustainer who is not Residents tax exempt.
• The Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Cost of Living (henceforth “the Benefit”) is designated as a Special State-Provided Benefit under the Law Regarding Savings Account Registration to Promptly and Reliably Implement State-Provided Benefits. As such, we will obtain and use information such as local tax information and Special Cash Payment bank account information.
• In confirming your eligibility, we may confirm government office records, etc.
• For items which cannot be confirmed via government office records, we may ask you to submit additional documents. We also may confirm necessary information regarding receiving Benefit payment from other municipalities.
• If you have received a benefit under the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Costs of Electricity, Gas, and Food (for 70,000 yen, 100,000 yen, or additional funds for children (50,000 yen each), you may be asked to return the Benefit.
• Should there be an error in your application form, you may be asked to return the Benefit.
• If you have received the Benefit via fraudulent means, such as dishonesty, you may be asked to return it.
• If you intentionally submit a false application, you may face charges for fraud under false receipt of funds.

FAQ

Q: Will I be taxed for this Benefit?

A: No, you will not be taxed for this Benefit

(Protected under the Law of Seizure Prohibition for Benefits for Low-Income Households Using Reserve Funds March 2023 (Law no. 64 of 2023) and Law of Seizure Prohibition for Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Costs of Living (Law no. 81 of 2023))

Q: I have removed someone as my dependent, so why is it they are still deemed my dependent under taxation law and why can this disqualify them for the Benefit?

A: It may be that you removed them as health insurance dependents. As health insurance dependents and tax dependents differ, you will need to confirm your current situation.

Q: If I am exempt from residents tax on per capita basis due to a tax convention, am I eligible for the Benefit?

A: You are not eligible if you are exempt from resident’s tax on per capita basis due to a tax convention. 

Q: I used to be a dependent of a former spouse who is not tax exempt. Will I be eligible for the Benefit if I am a widower, divorced, or similar?

A: If you are widowed, divorced, or similar by the reference date, you will be eligible as long as you are exempt from residents taxes. Please inquire at the City of Hiroshima Office for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Costs of Living.

For those in protective living situations due to domestic abuse

There are cases in which those living outside of their legal domicile due to domestic abuse can receive the Benefit. For more information, please inquire at the City of Hiroshima Office for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Cost of Living.

Be aware of scams

Be cautious of anyone who asks for personal information, your bank book or bank card, or your PIN!

• Municipalities and the national government will NEVER ask you to go to an ATM to receive the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Cost of Living.
• Municipalities and the national government will NEVER ask you to transfer handling fees.
• If you receive any suspicious phone calls, be sure to consult with your family, friends, or the police to avoid falling victim to a scam.

Application Form (Japanese)

• For tax-exempt households: Application form for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Cost of Living
• For tax-exempt households: Example application form for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Costs of Living