The National Health Commission announced at a press conference held on September 8 that child-rearing subsidy applications are now officially open nationwide. Citizens can apply online through Alipay, WeChat, and provincial government service platforms, or apply at township governments where the infants are registered.

According to the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, nearly 130,000 people in Shanghai have applied for child-rearing subsidies online since the system began trial operations at the end of August.

**Subsidy Recipients:** Starting from January 1, 2025, subsidies will be provided for infants and toddlers under 3 years old who are born in compliance with legal regulations, until they reach 3 years of age. The subsidy recipients also include infants and toddlers born before January 1, 2025, who are under 3 years old. These children will receive pro-rated subsidies calculated by eligible months until they reach 3 years of age. This means that eligible infants and toddlers born after January 1, 2022, can all receive child-rearing subsidies.

**Subsidy Standards:** Child-rearing subsidies are distributed annually. The national baseline standard is 3,600 yuan per child per year until they reach 3 years of age. For infants and toddlers born on or after January 1, 2025, they can continuously apply for subsidies for 3 years, totaling 10,800 yuan. For infants and toddlers born before January 1, 2025, who are under 3 years old, subsidies will be calculated pro-rata based on eligible months.

**Complete Online Application Process: Alipay's "Three-Step" Process for Home-Based Subsidy Applications**

"Is the online application complicated? What materials need to be prepared?" These are the most pressing concerns for new parents. According to online application guides published by various regions, Alipay has become one of the main entry points, with a simplified "three-step" process that can be completed in as little as 5 minutes.

**Step 1: Access Application Portal** Open the Alipay app, enter "child-rearing subsidy" in the homepage search bar, and click on "National Child-Rearing Subsidy Application" in the search results (or access through "Citizen Center - Social Security - Child-Rearing Subsidy" pathway). The page will automatically redirect to the National Government Service Platform authentication interface, requiring facial recognition and real-name verification to ensure the authenticity of the applicant's identity.

**Step 2: Fill Information and Upload Materials** Child Information: Enter name, gender, date of birth, and ID number (or household registration number). The system will automatically verify if the child meets the "under 3 years old" condition. Parent Information: Fill in both parents' names, ID numbers, contact information, and select the subsidy disbursement account (preferably using either parent's social security card financial account; if not activated, bank processing is required first). Supporting Documents: Upload photos of the child's birth medical certificate, parents' marriage certificate (or divorce agreement/court judgment; if custody is involved, the subsidy recipient must be clearly specified), and photos of the household registration book's first page and the child's page.

**Step 3: Submit Application and Await Review** After confirming all information is correct, click submit. The system will provide real-time feedback with an "application successful" prompt. The review process typically takes 3 to 5 business days. Review results will be communicated through both Alipay message notifications and SMS reminders. If rejected, supplementary materials must be provided within 7 days, otherwise the application will automatically expire.