[MHLW] Release of the Discussion Summary of the Working-Level Consultations between the National and Local Governments on the Public Assistance System

On April 22, 2022, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) released the Summary of Discussions to Date on the National and Local Working-Level Consultations on the Public Assistance System.

The National and Local Working-Level Consultations on the Public Assistance System was set up on November 19, 2021, to review and update the system in accordance with the Supplementary Provisions of the Revised Public Assistance Act 2018, which stipulates the review of the system within five years after its enforcement. In addition, the New Economic and Fiscal Revitalization - Plan Reform Process Chart 2020 (approved by the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy on December 18, 2020) also stipulates:

In conjunction with verifying the next livelihood assistance standards in FY2021, the overall system should be reviewed and updated as necessary, including essential public assistance based on age, household type, regional conditions, and measures to promote self-reliance further.

Therefore, the MHLW has held the National and Local Working-Level Consultations on the Public Assistance System since its establishment and released this summary after six rounds of consultation. The working-level members are composed of welfare officers (section chiefs, etc.) from Fukushima Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Toshima Ward, Kochi City, Kawasaki City, Osaka City, Yurihama Town (Tottori Prefecture), and Saka Town (Hiroshima Prefecture), as well as section chiefs and office managers from the Social Assistance Bureau of the MHLW.

The table of contents of the summary is as follows.

  1. How the public assistance system should provide support in light of the current economic and social situation (p.3)
  2. Comprehensive support for self-reliance in cooperation with related organizations (p. 5)
  3. Employment support, etc. (p. 8)

　(1) Employment support programs, etc.

　(2) Employment incentives

  1. Measures against child poverty (p.12)
  2. Health care support programs and medical assistance for persons under public assistance (p.13)
  1. Health care support programs for protected persons and measures for frequent medical checkups, etc.
  2. Involvement by prefectures
  1. Housing support (p.17)

　(1) Public assistance facilities

　(2) Free and low-cost accommodation and residential facilities with daily life support, etc.

  1. Reduction of administrative burden (p.21) 8.
  2. Measures to ensure the proper disbursement of public assistance benefits (p.22)
  3. Class division in public assistance standards (p.23)

Based on this, the MHLW plans to hold a National and Local Consultation Meeting with the heads of local governments on the Public Assistance System and will report the details of their discussions at the Social Security Council's Division of Support for the Self-reliance of the Needy and for Public Assistance, where they will deliberate further to review the public assistance system.

For more information, please visit the website below (Japanese only):
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/shingi/other-syakai_412095_00006.html

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