Not 500+, but 800+. Who is eligible for the new benefit?

Back in the summer of 2023, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed an amendment to the Act on State Assistance in Child-Rearing, which increases the benefit for parents – from 500 to 800 zloty. The changes came into force on 1 January 2024. However, not all parents living in Poland are entitled to financial support from the state. Who can receive the funds? How can parents of minor children apply for 800+? Read on to find out.

Who is not eligible for 800+?

As of the beginning of 2024, financial assistance for parents of minor children amounts to 800 zloty (the benefit is now called 800+). However, some parents or guardians will not receive this support. You are not eligible if: ⇒ the child is over 18 years old; ⇒ the parents of a minor child failed to submit the 800+ application on time; ⇒ the parents are already receiving financial assistance in another country (e.g. in Ukraine); ⇒ the child is in full-board institutional care (this usually applies to military schools, but not exclusively); ⇒ the child has been placed in a care facility, foster family, or is in detention (in such cases, the institution or foster family is entitled to receive the benefit); ⇒ the child is under 18 but has entered into marriage; ⇒ the child is under 18 but has given birth and is raising their own child, receiving the 800+ benefit for that child.

According to ZUS, parents who are already receiving additional child benefits do not need to reapply for 800+. The increase will be applied automatically, but the full amount will not be paid out before February 2024. However, if you wish to be enrolled in the new benefit period (from 1.06.2024 to 31.05.2025), you can submit an application from 1 February 2024 onwards.

How to apply for 800+?

Ukrainians who have a minor child and are legally residing in Poland can apply for the 800+ benefit.

To apply, you will need:

⇒ PESEL numbers (of the parent or guardian submitting the application and of the child for whom the benefit is being claimed); ⇒ an email address; ⇒ a Polish phone number; ⇒ a Polish bank account number. In some cases, ZUS may request additional documents: ⇒ a court ruling appointing the applicant as a legal guardian; ⇒ a document confirming legal residence in Poland and access to the labour market – e.g. a residence card (for adults who arrived before 24.02.2022, whose children arrived after 23.02.2022).

How can parents or guardians submit the 800+ benefit application?

Currently, it can only be done online: ⇒ through the mZUS app, ⇒ through the ZUS electronic services portal (PUE ZUS), ⇒ through Emp@tia, ⇒ through online banking services that work with ZUS.

You will be notified of the benefit decision via PUE ZUS and will also receive an email to the address provided in the application. The funds will be transferred to the bank account specified in the form.

More interesting articles:

What is ZUS in Poland?What you need to know about PESEL UKR status?Residence card: what is it and who can apply?