Who is eligible for the new benefits?

The benefit covers persons who are over 18 years of age and who are incapable of living independently, as confirmed by a decision on inability to exist independently or total inability to work and inability to exist independently. Beneficiaries of both social and survivors' pensions shall also have the right to receive a supplementary benefit.
The total amount of this benefit and benefits financed from public funds may shall not exceed PLN 1600 gross (excluding family pension, nursing allowance and other allowances, as well as income from paid work).

What is the amount of benefit?

The aforementioned persons shall have the right to receive a benefit of up to PLN 500 per month. 

Will the benefit be taxed?

No, the new benefit is exempt from taxation.
In addition, the persons who are eligible for the benefit are guaranteed to receive the full amount of the benefit - it is not subject to set-off and enforcement under debt recovery. The funds obtained under the benefit on the bank account cannot be seized by judicial or administrative enforcement title. The benefit is also not included in the income statement, e.g. it is not affected by expenses for rehabilitation purposes or cash benefits from social welfare.

Where to submit the application and when will it be processed?

An application for a supplementary benefit shall be submitted to the administrative office responsible for issuing pension benefits, and in the case of persons who do not have the right to benefits financed from public funds or who have the right to cash benefits from social welfare - to the Social Insurance Institution.
Any assistance in filling in the application form can be obtained directly from any Social Insurance Institution.
The processing of claims for benefits shall commence on 1 October. The benefit shall be payable from the month in which the duly submitted application is accepted, but not earlier than 1 October.

How long does it take to receive a decision regarding the benefit?

ZUS and KRUS shall issue a decision within 60 days after confirming the final circumstance required to qualify for the benefit.

How many persons will be covered by the benefit?

Over 800,000 people will benefit from the new regulations.

How much will the programme cost?

Approximately PLN 4.5 billion will be allocated for support each year. Both the benefits and all costs are financed by the Solidarity Fund for Persons with Disabilities.