SCIO briefing on China's child care subsidy system and childbirth support measures

Farmers' Daily:

The child care subsidy targets children under 3 years old. What was the reasoning behind this decision? Can children born before 2025 receive the subsidy? Also, who applies for the subsidy? Thank you.

Guo Yanhong:

Thank you for your questions. I would like to invite Mr. Wang to answer your questions.

Wang Haidong:

Thank you for your questions. The main reason we focus on children under 3 is that the first three years represent a critical stage in child development and an important period when families especially need support in child-rearing. Providing child care support to families with children under 3 is also a common policy tool used globally to encourage childbirth. The subsidy standard was set based on our development stage and fiscal capacity, covering the child-rearing period for children under 3 years old.

Regarding whether children born before 2025 are eligible, the implementation plan states that subsidies will be provided starting Jan. 1, 2025, to all children under 3 who were born in compliance with laws and regulations, continuing until they turn 3. This includes children born before Jan. 1, 2025, who will receive subsidies calculated based on their remaining eligible months until age 3. In other words, any child born after Jan. 1, 2022, who meets the criteria can receive the child care subsidy. To make it convenient for people to apply, we have also created a reference chart showing subsidy amounts for children born in each month from 2022 to 2024. The chart has been posted online so parents can easily see exactly how much each child is eligible for.

Regarding who submits the application: Child care subsidies are applied for on a household basis. Each family must designate one applicant, who should be one of the child's parents or, in special circumstances, another legal guardian.

Meanwhile, we will guide localities to integrate policy publicity and guidance with maternal and child health care, hospital births, infant and child vaccination, health management, household registration and social security card applications. This will raise policy awareness and ensure that all eligible infants and children receive the child care subsidies to which they are entitled. Thank you. Thank you.