1. Introduction
As of April 1, 2025, there will be four types of benefits related to childcare leave, including the two newly introduced benefits listed below:
• Childcare Leave Benefit
• Childcare Leave Benefit at Birth (Paternity Leave Benefit at Birth)
• Postpartum Childcare Leave Support Benefit (New as of April 1, 2025)
• Reduced Working Hours System Benefit for Childcare (New as of April 1, 2025)
*For details regarding this benefit, please refer to our March 14th Newsletter.
2. Overview of the System
The Postpartum Childcare Leave Support Benefit is an additional benefit available to employees covered by Employment Insurance, given to families who have already received the Childcare Leave Benefit and/or Childcare Leave Benefit at Birth.
3. Eligible Recipients & Requirements
Both conditions below must be met in order to receive the Postpartum Childcare Leave Support Benefit:
ⅰ) The insured person must take a total of at least 14 days of childcare leave during the designated period, combining both the Childcare Leave Benefit and the Childcare Leave Benefit at Birth (Paternity Leave Benefit at Birth).
*Designated period: For fathers or adoptive parents, this is within 8 weeks after the child’s birth; for mothers, it is within 8 weeks after maternity leave.
ⅱ) The insured person's spouse must either:
・Take at least 14 days of childcare leave within the 8-week period after the child’s birth, or
・Qualify as "exempt from requiring the spouse's childcare leave" as of the day after the child's birth.
In simple terms, both parents must each take at least 14 days of childcare leave within the designated period. When there is no spouse (single parent), or the spouse is self-employed, freelance, or a stay-at-home parent, the requirement for the spouse to take leave may not apply.In this case, they would be “exempt from requiring the spouse’s childcare leave.”
4. Postpartum Childcare Leave Support Benefit Amount
The benefit amount is calculated using the following formula:
Benefit = Daily Wage at Start of Leave × Number of Leave Days (up to 28 days) × 13%
The current Childcare Leave Benefit covers 67% of your daily wage at the start of leave. So, when combined with social insurance premium exemptions, the total benefit can equate to up to 100% of take-home pay.
5. Application Procedure
In principle, Postpartum Childcare Leave Support Benefit applications should be submitted through the employer alongside the application for either the "Childcare Leave Benefit " or the "Childcare Leave Benefit at Birth." Separate applications are also possible, but in such cases, the Postpartum Childcare Leave Support Benefit application can only be submitted after the previously claimed Childcare Leave Benefit has been paid.
【 ARK Social Insurance and Labor Advisors Corporation 】
We are available to help you with the application process.
We can also assist you if have been affected by the recent changes to the childcare and caregiving leave laws. please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
ARK Social Insurance And Labor Advisors Corporation
Query on the phone+81-3-6821-9455