As an employee in Shanghai, you may have questions such as:

- Who is eligible for the maternity leave social insurance subsidy, and what are the requirements?

- Does the subsidy cover the employer's contributions, or the employee’s contributions?

- Is there a deadline for applying?

- What is the application process?

- Can it be claimed together with other subsidies?

To help employees better understand their rights and relevant regulations, the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau has released a reference guide addressing these frequently asked questions.

 

1.Who is eligible for the maternity leave social insurance subsidy, and what are the requirements?

Case:

Nancy, an HR staff member at a local tech company, learned that Shanghai has introduced a maternity leave social insurance subsidy policy. As a female employee at her company is due to give birth in March, Nancy wants to know the specific eligibility requirements.

Answer:

According to the relevant regulations on social insurance subsidies during female employees' maternity leave and extended childbirth leave in Shanghai, effective Jan 1, 2025, employers are eligible for the subsidy if a female employee gives birth during her period of employment. To qualify, the employer must implement the city's maternity and extended childbirth leave policies and continue to pay social insurance contributions on behalf of the employee throughout her maternity and extended childbirth leave.

In this case, if the employee gives birth in March 2026, the company will be eligible to apply for the maternity leave social insurance subsidy.

 

2. Does the maternity leave social insurance subsidy cover the employer's contribution or the employee’s contribution?

Case:

As social insurance contributions are jointly paid by the employers and employees, Nancy wonders whether the maternity leave social insurance subsidy covers the employer's contributions, the employee's individual contributions, or both?

Answer:

Under the regulations, the standard for the maternity leave social insurance subsidy equals 50 percent of the employer's actual contributions for the basic pension insurance, basic medical insurance (including maternity insurance), unemployment insurance, and work-related injury insurance during the maternity and extended childbirth leave period. The subsidy is granted for six months starting from the month the employee gives birth.

As the subsidy covers 50 percent of the employer's actual contributions, in this case, the company can apply for the six-month subsidy from March through September, covering 50 percent of the employer's contributions.

3. Is there a time limit for applying for the maternity leave social insurance subsidy?

Case:

After learning the basic rules, Nancy reviewed her company's current maternity leave cases. In addition to the employee due to give birth in March, another employee will start her maternity leave in August and return next year. Can the company apply for subsidies for both employees, and what is the application deadline?

Answer:

According to the regulations, employers must submit their application to the district human resources and social security authority within one year after the employee's maternity and extended childbirth leave period ends. The subsidy operates on a "pay first, reimburse later, one-time claim" basis. The employer can apply for this subsidy after implementing the leave policies for the employee and paying the six months of social insurance contributions. Once the application is approved, the subsidy funds will be disbursed in a single lump-sum payment.

In this case, Nancy's company can apply for subsidies for both employees together within one year after both of their leave periods end.

4. What is the application process?

(1) Employer's eligibility:

Employers must implement maternity and extended childbirth leave for female employees and continue paying social insurance contributions in accordance with regulations.

(2) Subsidy amount:

The subsidy amount is 50 percent of the employer's actual social insurance contributions, granted for six months starting from the month of childbirth.

(3) Application method:

After the employee's maternity and extended childbirth leave ends, the employer can log in to the human resources and social security self-service platform at https://zzjb.rsj.sh.gov.cn/zzjbdl within one year. Select "Labor and Employment" (劳动就业), then "Maternity and Extended Childbirth Leave Social Insurance Subsidy for Female Employees" (女职工产假生育假社保补贴), and complete the required information and upload supporting documents. After approval, the subsidy will be directly credited to the company's account.

For more policy information, please contact:

Hotline: 12333

 

5. Can the maternity leave social insurance subsidy be claimed alongside other subsidies?

Case:

Nancy's company hired Helen, who was officially recognized as a person with difficulties in job hunting in 2024. Helen became pregnant in 2025 and recently gave birth. As the company is currently receiving a social insurance subsidy for hiring persons with difficulties in job hunting, Nancy wonders if the company is eligible to apply for the maternity leave social insurance subsidy simultaneously, based on Helen's situation.

Answer:

No. Under the regulations, if an employer has already received other social insurance subsidies for a female employee during her maternity and extended childbirth leave, such as subsidies for employing individuals with difficulties in job hunting, hiring college graduates, supporting start-up organizations, or covering temporary public welfare positions, the employer is not eligible to receive the maternity leave social insurance subsidy for the same employee. This rule prevents overlapping subsidy claims for the same employee.

In this case, as Nancy's company has already received the social insurance subsidy for employing persons with difficulties in job hunting for Helen, they are not eligible to apply for the maternity leave social insurance subsidy.

 

Sources: Official WeChat account of the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government (ID: "shanghaifabu"), the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security