Childbirth/Childcare Support Benefits

Expectant mothers and caregivers who have notified the City of their pregnancy or childbirth are eligible to receive benefits to help pay for items to be used for childbirth/childcare, or to use parenting support services.

Please note that applications for the following support benefits have ended on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 (applications must be postmarked by the deadline).

• Childbirth Support Benefit for those who submitted a pregnancy notification or gave birth during the period from April 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023.
• Childcare Support Benefit for those who are raising a child born between April 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023.

For those who are unable to apply by May 31, 2023, due to the occurrence of natural disasters or other inevitable circumstances, the application deadline may be extended until February 29, 2024. For more information, please consult with staff from your local ward health center on an individual basis.

1. Eligibility

Childbirth Support Benefit

All three of the following criteria must be met:

1. Expectant mothers: you have submitted a Pregnancy Notification on or after April 1, 2022.
   Mothers: your child is born between April 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023.
2. You participated in a brief counseling session with health center staff when submitting a Pregnancy/Moving-in Notification.
3. You have not received birth support gifts (cash, coupons, etc.) from the government's Childbirth and Childcare Support Grant in other municipalities.

Childcare Support Benefit

All three of the following criteria must be met:

1. You are raising a child who was born on or after April 1, 2022.
2. You have been paid a visit at your residence via Newborn Baby Visit/Hello Baby services (including those who have received a visit in their home municipality).
3. You have not received childcare support gifts (cash, coupons, etc.) from other municipalities via the national government's Childbirth and Childcare Support Grant.

2. Amount 

Childbirth Support Benefit: 50,000 yen in cash per expectant mother/mother
Childcare Support Benefit: 50,000 yen in cash per child

3. Date of commencement

Wednesday, March 1, 2023​

4. Procedures

Please note that applications for groups C, D, and E have closed.​

Group A: Expectant mothers who notified the City of their pregnancy on or after March 1, 2023​​

1. You will receive the application guide when you submit a Pregnancy/Moving-in Notification at your local ward health center. 
   • In cases where the notification is submitted by a proxy, the expectant mother will need to personally attend the counseling session on a separate basis.
2. You may apply for the benefit after receiving your first pregnancy health checkup at a medical institution.
   • As a rule, you will need to apply during your pregnancy period.
   • The amount will be transferred to your designated bank account within one to two months after submitting your application. You will be notified of the payment date as soon as it is decided.

Group B: Childcare Support Benefit for those whose child was born on or after March 1, 2023

1. The application guide will be mailed approximately in the following month after you submit a Notification of Birth.
   • If you do not receive the guide, please contact your local ward health center.
   • If you have recently moved to Hiroshima City, you will receive the application guide upon submission of your moving-in notification at your local ward health center.
2. You will receive a visit at your residence via Newborn Baby Visit/Hello Baby services.
3. Please follow the instructions included in the application guide:
   • As a rule, applications should be submitted no later than four months after childbirth (you may apply for the benefit before newborn baby visits)
   • After applying, payment will be made to your designated bank account around six months after childbirth (for those who have yet to receive a visit, the payment will be made one to two months after the visit). The date of payment will be announced as soon as it is decided.

Group C: Childbirth Support Benefit for expectant mothers who submitted a Pregnancy Notification between April 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023 (application is closed)

1. Since March 1, 2023, the application guide information has been mailed individually.
2. Please follow the instructions included in the application guide:
   • Apply by Wednesday, May 31, 2023 (applications must be postmarked by May 31, 2023).
   • Payment will be made to your designated bank account approximately one to two months after submitting your application. A notice will be mailed to you once the payment date is decided.

Group D: Childbirth Support Benefit for mothers whose child was born between April 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023 (application is closed)

1. Since March 1, 2023, the application guide information has been mailed individually.
2. Please follow the instructions included in the application guide:
   • Apply by Wednesday, May 31, 2023 (applications must be postmarked by May 31, 2023).
   • Payment will be made to your designated bank account approximately one to two months after submitting your application. A notice will be mailed to you once the payment date is decided.

Group E: Childcare Support Benefit for those who are raising a child born between April 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023 (application is closed)​

1. Since March 1, 2023, the application guide information has been mailed individually.
2. Please follow the instructions included in the application guide:
   • Apply by Wednesday, May 31, 2023 (applications must be postmarked by May 31, 2023).
   • Payment will be made to your designated bank account approximately one to two months after submitting your application. A notice will be mailed to you once the payment date is decided.

5. Online applications

(1) Filling out your particulars

The Childbirth/Childcare Support Benefit Application Guide distributed to eligible applicants includes a QR code for the Hiroshima City e-Application System. Please refer to the following manual on how to apply via the online application system:

Step-by-step guide: How to fill out the application form (PDF) (Japanese)

(2) Making corrections

If you have submitted an incomplete application, the City will return the documents to you and send you a notice via email.  Please refer to the following manual on how to make corrections to an incomplete application:

Step-by-step guide: How to make corrections to incomplete applications (PDF) (Japanese)

(3) Downloading the payment approval notice

Upon approval of your application, the City of Hiroshima will send you a notice via email.

You may also download the payment approval notice via the Hiroshima City e-Application System. Please refer to the following manual on how to download the document:

Step-by-step guide: How to download the payment approval notice (PDF) (Japanese)

Note: (2) and (3) apply only to those who have applied via the Hiroshima City e-Application System.

6. Inquiries 

Inquiries regarding applications and payouts​​

Maternal and Child Health Section, Children and Families Support Division, Children's Outlook Bureau
Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm 
Closed: Weekends and national holidays
Tel: 082-504-2623　​

Note: Payment will be made to your designated bank account approximately one to two months after submitting your application. A notice will be mailed to you once the payment date is decided.

Consultations and inquiries regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare

​Please contact your local ward health center.

Hours: 8:30 am to 5:15 pm
Closed: Weekends and national holidays

Downloads (Japanese)

• Childbirth Support Benefit leaflet (PDF)
• Childcare Support Benefit leaflet (PDF)
• Letter of Proxy (PDF)

Further information (Japanese)

• The solution to combining accompanied counseling support and financial support for expectant mothers and families raising children: Childbirth/childcare Support Benefits＜外部リンク＞ 

Beware of bank transfer fraud and identity theft​ 

If you receive a suspicious phone call/mail at your home/workplace from someone claiming to be an employee of the prefectural/municipal government or the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, please contact your local police department. Alternatively, you may call the Police Consultation Helpline at 9110.