Kashiwa City Community Newspaper 2020.05.15

Information regarding the new coronavirus (COVID-19)

Contact: Public Information Division - Phone: 7167-1175, Fax: 7167-8289

In order to alleviate the economic effects of COVID-19, we are working towards providing financial support.

In this issue, we will provide information on the Special Fixed-Amount Benefit Payment and other financial support.

This information is current as of May 7.

Regarding the application procedure for the Special Fixed-Amount Benefit Payment

Contact: Kashiwa Special Fixed-Amount Benefit Payment Call Center - Phone: 7168-9677

Hours of operation: 9:00am to 5:00pm (excluding Sundays and public holidays)

In order to provide support for household expenses, following the Emergency Economic Measures Due to the Spread of COVID-19, 100,000 yen is available for each eligible person as a Special Fixed-Amount Benefit Payment.

Application by mail

1. The city will send out application forms by mail

Application forms with the names of all people who are registered in the Basic Residents’ Register as of the reference date of April 27, 2020, will be sent out in order by mail addressed to the head of each household, beginning around Monday, May 25.

2. Complete the required parts of the application form and return it to the city by mail

Complete the required parts of the application form, and include a copy of documents confirming your direct deposit banking information (bank book, cash card, etc.), and a copy of documents with your personal identification to confirm the name of the person receiving the benefit. Return the application and documents by mail in the return envelope provided (postmark validates the date of submission). If any part of the application or documents is incomplete, a notice will be sent to you stating the incomplete item.

3.Benefit payments from the city deposited into your bank account

After an evaluation of the application, the full amount of the benefit payment will be deposited into the bank account specified on the application form. Benefit payments are expected to be deposited about 2 weeks following the receipt of application forms.

Online application forms are also available.

If you have a My Number Card, and a special card reader, you can make an online application for the Special Fixed-Amount Benefit Payment through the Online Service “My-Na Portal”.

▲Application site is available here

There is a deadline for the application

Please be aware that if the application is not received by Monday, August 31, the application will be considered to be declined, and you will not be able to receive your benefit payment.

Regarding Kashiwa City’s coordination of the applications

In Kashiwa City, the names of household members to which application forms will be sent are already listed in the resident record information. Because of this, the information written on returned application forms has already been checked against the resident record information, so processing time for the payment and direct deposit is expected to be minimal. The receipt of applications will begin at the end of May. Although it may be an inconvenience, your understanding is appreciated.

Watch out for fraudulent schemes using the Special Fixed-Amount Benefit Payment!

If you receive any suspicious phone calls or email, please report it to the Kashiwa Police Department (Phone: 7148-0110).

Guidance regarding the virus is available here

Telephone advisory services have been set up for questions regarding the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Please contact the appropriate telephone service for the nature of your concern.

For questions regarding the city’s countermeasures, or other standard inquiries

Kashiwa City Call Center, Phone: 7128-2239, Fax: 7167-1732

Hours of operation

9:00am to 8:00pm (including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)

The hours of operation may change in the future.

If you suspect that you may have COVID-19

For inquiries regarding medical facilities providing services.

Kashiwa City Consultation Center for People with Potential Exposure to the New Coronavirus

Phone: 7167-6777 Fax: 7167-1732

Hours of operation

9:00am to 5:00pm (not including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)

Advice can be obtained here

A call center and telephone advisory services have been set up for questions regarding the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Please contact the appropriate telephone service for the nature of your concern.

If you are facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 situation

In this part, we will outline the support available for city residents and business operators that are experiencing a worsening financial situation due to COVID-19.

Part of the support outlined here is based on the assumption of relevant laws and budgets being established.

For details regarding other systems and requirements or application procedures, please refer to the Kashiwa City website.

The declared state of emergency has been extended

On May 4, the state of emergency was extended to Sunday, May 31. For information on Kashiwa City’s response to the extension, please refer to the city website.

▲Access the Kashiwa City website here.

Regarding Temporary Special Benefit Payments for child-raising households

Contact: Child Welfare Division - Phone: 7167-1595, Fax: 7162-1077

One of the efforts that we have made to support child-raising households is the Temporary Special Benefit Payment that is provided to households that receive the Child Allowance. Notices are sent out individually to eligible households (not including public servants).

Eligibility

Parents or guardians with children born between April 2, 2004, and March 31, 2020, who are recipients of the March and April payment of the Child Allowance (benefits according to main regulations).

Benefit schedule

Monday, June 15 (scheduled)

Benefit amount

10,000 yen for each eligible child.

Regarding Emergency Financial Support for single-parent households

Contact: Child Welfare Division - Phone: 7167-1595, Fax: 7162-1077

One of the efforts that we have made to support child-raising households is the Emergency Financial Support Benefit for households receiving the Dependent Child Allowance. Notices are sent out individually to eligible households.

Eligibility

Recipients of the April payment of the Dependent Child Allowance are eligible.

Not including social welfare recipients, those who moved out of Kashiwa City or those who lost eligible status as of May 15.

Benefit schedule

Monday, May 25 (scheduled)

Benefit amount

For each eligible child: 80,000 yen for the first child, 40,000 yen for the 2nd child, and 20,000 yen for the third child or thereafter.

Other benefits

Support System	Main Details	Contact
Financial Support for Necessities
Extension for payments of Municipal Tax and Health Insurance	Extensions and instalment plans for Municipal Tax, National Health Insurance, Latter-Stage Elderly Medical Treatment Insurance, Nursing Care Insurance, Water Bills (Eligibility depends on circumstances. Ineligibility is possible.)	Municipal Tax = Payment Division (7167-1122) National Health Insurance and Latter-Stage Elderly Medical Treatment Insurance = Health Insurance and Pension Division (7191-2594) Nursing Care Insurance = Senior Citizens’ Support Division (7167-1022) Water Bills = Kashiwa City Waterworks Billing Center (7166-2191) Sewer Usage Bill (well water) = Sewer Usage Billing Customer Center (7168-1820)
Housing Security Benefits	Part of housing rental fees are generally provided for 3 months for households that are losing their home (or are about to lose their home) due to unemployment.	Ai-Net (7165-8707) Life Support Division (7167-1138)
Welfare Fund Loan System	Those who are in financial distress due to suspension or loss of employment can receive an interest-free, unsecured welfare loan.	Kashiwa City Social Welfare Organization (7163-1234)
Extension of repayments for the Widowed Parent Welfare Fund Loan	Those who are repaying the Widowed Parent Welfare Fund Loan can receive a repayment extension of up to one year.	Children’s Welfare Division (7167-1595)
Financial Support for Business Operators
Sustained Income Benefit	If monthly sales are less than half of sales in the same month of the previous year, small businesses can receive up to 2,000,000 yen, and individual business operators can receive up to 1,000,000 yen as a benefit payment.	Sustained Income Benefit System Call Center (0120-115-570)
Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Interest Subsidy	The full amount of the interest from the Kashiwa City Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Financing System and Small Business Operation Improvement Fund will be subsidized.	Commerce and Industry Promotion Division (7167-1141)
Financial Support for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Workers	Loans for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Workers from the Japan Finance Corporation will be made interest-free and unsecured for 5 years (10 years for forestry workers).	Japan Finance Corporation Chiba Branch Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Industry (043-238-8501)
Chiba Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Reconstruction Support Fund	Small and medium sized enterprises and individual business operators can receive a benefit of up to 400,000 yen if their sales for selected months between January and July are half of the sales from the same month of the previous year.	Chiba Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Reconstruction Fund Advisory Center (0570-044894)
School Closure Employee Absence Subsidy and Financial Support	A subsidy will be paid to employers if their employees used paid vacation days due to temporary school closures.	School Closure Employee Absence Subsidy and Financial Support Advisory Call Center (0120-60-3999)