Pregnancy Costs

When you have a baby, you usually cannot use regular health insurance.
This is because pregnancy and childbirth are not considered illnesses.
The average cost of childbirth is about 500,000 yen.
※Costs may vary depending on the hospital.

If you have health insurance, you can receive a Lump-Sum Birth Allowance after giving birth.
◆Amount you can receive (for those enrolled in Saitama City’s National Health Insurance)
　500,000 yen or 488,000 yen

You can have this Lump-Sum Birth Allowance paid directly to the hospital.
※So you don’t need to prepare a large amount of money before childbirth.

Alternatively, you can borrow part of the allowance before childbirth.
You can also apply for it after giving birth.

◆If you cannot be hospitalized due to financial difficulties
　If you don’t have money and cannot be hospitalized, there are facilities where you can still give birth.
　Please consult someone if you are having financial problems.

◆Inquiries：National Health Insurance and Pension Division

Papa-Mama Support Gift (Pregnancy and Childcare Support Benefit)

Childrearing Assistance Medical Fees Subsidy System （子育て支援医療費助成制度）

When your child is ill or injured, Saitama City will pay a part of the outpatient and hospitalization fees to the relevant medical institution on your behalf.
Please present the Health Insurance Card and Subsidy Eligibility Certificate, which proves the child’s entitlement to the subsidy, at the reception desk of hospitals in Saitama City. Applications are required for the Subsidy Eligibility Certificate.

Please register for the subsidy immediately after submitting the Notification of Childbirth or Notification of Moving-in (document informing Saitama City that you have moved to the city).

◆Eligibility
Children who satisfy all of the following conditions:
・ Live in Saitama City
・ Enrolled in a Japanese health insurance
・ From age 0 to the last day of March of the year in which the child turns 18

◆Costs borne by Saitama City
Total cost of medical fees for outpatient treatment and hospitalization (patient-borne portion of medical fees)
*In cases where you pay medical fees upfront, such as at medical institutions outside of Saitama City, you must apply at the relevant ward office to receive a refund.

 
    Subsidy Eligibility Certificate

◆Inquiries　*Japanese only
Child Rearing Support Division
TEL：048-829-1271　
mail：kosodate-shien@city.saitama.lg.jp

Child Allowance （児童手当）

◆What is Child Allowance (Jidō Teate)?
Child Allowance is money to help raise children in good physical and mental health.
It is provided by Saitama City.
If your child is born or you move to Saitama City, please apply for the Child Allowance within 15 days from the next day.

◆Who can receive it?
Children who satisfy all of the following conditions:
・Live in Saitama City
・ Enrolled in a Japanese health insurance
・ Are junior high school age or younger

 ◆How much money can you receive?
・Age 0–2: ¥15,000/month
・Age 3 – Elementary School (1st or 2nd child): ¥10,000/month
・Age 3 – Elementary School (3rd child and onward): ¥15,000/month
・Junior High School students: ¥10,000/month
※ If your income is high, you may receive ¥5,000/month per child.

◆Inquiries　*Japanese only
Assistance Division

The Papa and Mama Support Shop System （パパ・ママ応援ショップ）

If you show your Papa-Mama Support Card at a store with the “Papa-Mama Support Shop” sticker, you can receive services or discounts decided by that store.
This card can be used at participating stores in Saitama Prefecture and other prefectures with the national shared logo.

◆Who is eligible?
・ Families raising children up to March 31 after the child turns 18
・Families with a pregnant person (expecting a baby)

◆What to bring when receiving the card
A document that shows the child’s age and address, such as the child’s health insurance card or the maternal and child health handbook

◆Where to get the card
・ Child Welfare Section (Shien-ka) at your local Ward Office
・ Child-rearing Support Centers
・ Children’s Centers
・ Branch offices or Citizen Service Counters
※ Only Japanese is available at these locations

◆Inquiries
Child Rearing Support Division
TEL：048-829-1271　
mail：kosodate-shien@city.saitama.lg.jp