Financial aid under the second state of emergency

The government has introduced a raft of measures to help people struggling financially as a result of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and second state of emergency. Here is a summary of the measures and how to apply for them.

*Japan's financial aid programs have been updated. Please visit the
following link: Coronavirus financial aid programs in 2022

Welfare fund loan

Every prefecture’s Social Welfare Council has set up a welfare fund loan system for households struggling with living expenses due to work stoppages. This is a loan and must be paid back.

Emergency small amount fund

Mainly for households facing a decrease in income as a result of COVID-19, and who require an urgent temporary loan to maintain their livelihoods.

Up to 200,000 yen
Interest free
Must repay within 2 years

General support fund

Mainly for households with members who have become unemployed. Loans will be made available for essential living expenses until members of the household are able to get back on their feet.

For households of two or more people: up to 200,000 yen a month
For people living alone: up to 150,000 yen a month.
Receivable for 3 months in principle.
Interest free
Must repay within 10 years

Japan’s health ministry decided on February 3 that people who have already received the general support fund can receive up to three months’ worth of additional payments.

The measure strengthens support for those facing difficulties under the second state of emergency.

This information was updated on Feb. 9, 2021.

Housing Security Benefit

People who have lost their job or experienced a reduction in income due to the pandemic can apply for funds to help pay rent. This does not have to be paid back. Funds cover 3 months of rent, up to a maximum of 12 months if conditions are met. The municipal government pays the rent directly to the landlord.

Eligibility is based on assessment of household income and savings.
Funds are available only for rent assistance. Housing loans are not covered.
Telephone consultation with a municipal self-support center is required before applying. Consultation is only available in Japanese and at these locations: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000614516.pdf

For further details, call 0120-23-5572 (Japanese only). Lines are open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Or visit:
·English: https://corona-support.mhlw.go.jp/jukyokakuhokyufukin/en/index.html
·Korean: https://corona-support.mhlw.go.jp/jukyokakuhokyufukin/ko/index.html
·Chinese: https://corona-support.mhlw.go.jp/jukyokakuhokyufukin/zh/index.html
·Vietnamese: https://corona-support.mhlw.go.jp/jukyokakuhokyufukin/vi/index.html
·Portuguese: https://corona-support.mhlw.go.jp/jukyokakuhokyufukin/pt/index.html
·Spanish: https://corona-support.mhlw.go.jp/jukyokakuhokyufukin/es/index.html

Support fund and cash handouts for unavoidable leave or absence from work due to COVID-19

Japan’s labor law stipulates that when employers ask workers to take time off, the employers must pay a leave allowance of at least 60 percent of the worker’s average wage.

If an employer has yet to pay the leave allowance due to a drop in business, the government can step in to support workers through a fund and cash handout system. Workers themselves - or their employers - can apply via mail or online. Foreign technical trainees are also eligible.

Workers can receive 80% of the wages they earned before taking unavoidable leave, up to ¥11,000 per day, if they meet the following two conditions:

1) The employee works for a small-to-medium-sized business that, as a consequence of COVID-19, asked its workers to take time off at some point between April 1, 2020 and the end of the month following the month when the state of emergency is lifted

2) The employee is unable to receive leave allowance during their leave or absence.

For further details, call 0120-221-276. Lines are open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends and holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Or visit:
·Easy Japanese: https://www.otit.go.jp/files/user/201216-16.pdf
·English: https://www.otit.go.jp/files/user/statistics/210114-03%20.pdf

This information was updated on Feb. 9, 2021.

Employment adjustment subsidy

This is a subsidy program for businesses that maintained employment despite drops in sales due to the coronavirus. A special measure allows the government to subsidize part of employee leave allowances and other benefits for such companies.

The special measure includes provisions for the government to: increase allowances to up to 15,000 yen per employee per day; cover up to 100% of the subsidies for both large and small-to-medium sized companies.

The measure is extended to the end of the month following the month when the second state of emergency is lifted. After that, the government will gradually reduce the amount of the subsidy.

For additional details, call 0120-60-3999. Lines are open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Or visit:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/koyou/kyufukin/pageL07.html

Information was updated on Jan. 26, 2021.

Nakanishi Nao

NHK World
Producer