Regarding the childcare subsidy in New Taipei City starting in August 2021, some parents reported that the application process is complicated, and those who are eligible have not been notified.

The people in the picture are not involved in the news.

(Photo by reporter Lai Xiaotong)

[Reporter Lai Xiaotong/New Taipei Report] Some people have reported that the childcare subsidy in New Taipei City will start in August 2021. The application process is complicated, and those who are eligible have not been notified. Even the parity identification requires parents to take the initiative to note , and the subsidy cannot be retroactive to the past. Families with children aged 2 to 5 and a second child have the greatest impact on their rights and interests.

The Bureau of Education stated that after the new system was launched, the central government still adopted the old method to determine the original birth order (first birth), and each district office sent an approval notice, asking the public to handle it within the time limit. This is a consistent practice across the country.

New Taipei City Councilor Huang Shujun said that in order to reduce the burden on parents, the central government has continuously increased childcare subsidies in recent years, and the allocation of funds is handed over to the local government for implementation, hoping to take care of children aged 0 to 5. However, the city government has complicated administrative tasks and often neglects sending official documents. Parents complain that "you can see it, but you can't eat it", and the welfare of citizens is greatly reduced.

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A parent with twins complained that she had originally applied for childcare allowance, but after the government increased the subsidy for the second child in August 2021, she was clearly eligible, but the administrative department did not determine that the second child subsidy method was applicable. She only went through complicated procedures after she found out process to reapply.

Huang Shujun pointed out that from August 2021, the childcare allowance will be increased for the first time, the first child will be increased to 3,500 yuan, and the second child will be increased to 4,000 yuan; the second childcare allowance will be increased in August 2022, and the first child will be 5,000 yuan. The second child is 6,000 yuan, but the parents must take the initiative to apply. If they do not receive the notification and make a note of the parity identification, they will lose the subsidy amount of 500 to 1,000 yuan per month.

She said that since the childcare subsidy cannot be retroactive to the past, the rights and interests of parents have been greatly affected. There are many similar cases. She asked the city government to urgently repair the network, simplify the administrative process, and actively assist in the identification instead of passively accepting applications.

The Social Affairs Bureau stated that the Ministry of Health and Welfare will connect the household registration system for childcare allowances for children aged 0 to 2, and will take the initiative to investigate and confirm eligibility. Parents do not need to apply again.

The Bureau of Education stated that the application process for the "2-5-year-old childcare subsidy and school subsidy" is consistent with the national regulations of the central government. Substantial or online applications are adopted. After the case is approved, each office will send a notice.

With regard to the new system of childcare allowances from August 2021 starting from 2 years old to less than 5 years old, the counties and cities have already reported the system’s birth order to the central government before going on the road, but the central government still adopts the old case and uses the original birth order (first child) After each district office sends the approval notice, the public is requested to follow the application deadline and procedures. This is a consistent practice across the country.

The Bureau of Education said that in August 2021, the approved results of the application case will be sent by registered mail. If the amount claimed by parents does not match the birth order, parents can go to the district office to handle the change of birth order. If the application deadline is exceeded, the city government will assist in submitting Ministry of Education project application.

Councilor Huang Shujun of New Taipei City (the person with the green vest on the left) held a coordination meeting on the issue of childcare allowance application.

(Photo provided by Huang Shujun)