Child Rearing Allowance for Single Parents in Japan [FY2026]

The Child Rearing Allowance (jido fuyo teate) supports single-parent families after divorce, bereavement and similar situations. Foreign residents qualify if they are registered residents and meet the conditions — nationality does not matter. It is separate from the regular Child Allowance, and you can receive both.

1. Who qualifies

• A single mother or father (or guardian) raising a child until the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 18 (under 20 if disabled)
• Divorce, bereavement and unmarried parents, plus cases such as DV protection orders or desertion for 1+ year
• Not eligible if you live with a partner in a marriage-like relationship (common-law marriage)

2. Amount (FY2026)

• Full payment: 48,050 yen per month for the first child
• Partial payment: reduced by an income-based formula, with the amount set in 10-yen units
• Second and subsequent children: +11,350 yen each (full) / from 11,340 yen (partial). Since November 2024 the third child gets the same addition as the second

Amounts are revised every April in line with prices.

3. Income limits

Whether you receive the full amount, a partial amount or nothing depends on last year’s income of you and any cohabiting relatives with a duty of support. Limits vary by number of dependents — check with your city office.

4. Payment months

Paid 6 times a year in odd months (January, March, May, July, September, November), 2 months at a time.

5. How to apply

• File a claim at your city/ward office. Payment starts from the month after you apply and is not retroactive, so apply early
• Typical documents: family register or, for foreign nationals, home-country documents proving the divorce or death (with Japanese translation), residence card, juminhyo, bank account, ID
• Submit the annual status report (genkyo todoke) every August, or payments stop

FAQ

Can foreign residents receive this allowance?Yes, regardless of nationality, if you are a registered resident and meet the conditions. If you divorced in your home country, documents proving the divorce (with Japanese translation) may be required.

Can I get this and the Child Allowance at the same time?Yes, if you meet the conditions for both. The Child Allowance goes to all families with children; this allowance is an extra payment for single parents.

What if I remarry or start living with a partner?You lose eligibility, including for common-law relationships. Report it immediately — otherwise you must repay the allowance later.