TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The government’s expanded childbirth subsidy of NT$100,000 (US$3,180) per newborn will be deposited before Mother’s Day after delays caused by pending budget approval, the Ministry of Labor said Wednesday.

To address Taiwan’s declining birthrate, the Cabinet launched a plan with three major initiatives, including raising childbirth benefits across social insurance systems to a standard amount, per CNA. Parents receive NT$100,000 for one baby and NT$200,000 for twins, with a total budget of NT$4.72 billion.

As this year’s budget had not yet been approved, payments could not be issued even after applications were submitted. However, the ministry said the Cabinet has now approved the use of funds for new initiatives, with disbursements to be made ahead of Mother’s Day and expected to cover about 18,000 recipients.

Chen Mei-nu (陳美女), director-general of the Department of Labor Insurance, told CNA that the delay stemmed from the pending review of the central government budget. She said applicants who had already applied will receive back payments in phases, while future applicants will receive benefits through the standard process.

In addition, this year the ministry introduced a new flexible unpaid parental leave policy, offering small businesses with fewer than 30 employees a subsidy of NT$1,000 if an employee applies for single-day parental leave. This incentive had also been delayed because of the budget holdup.

The ministry said the first round of employer incentives will be issued on May 27, CNA reported. Employers whose workers began taking daily parental leave between January and March this year, meet eligibility requirements, and completed online account registration by May 15 will receive payments directly.