Similarly, to the previous year, in the current year parents and legal guardians of children up to 20 years of age (in the case of children with disabilities - up to 24 years of age) have the right to apply for benefits for school starter kits. Beginning at July 1st, the applications may be submitted electronically (via electronic banking systems, Emp@tia portal and from 1 August - via traditional channels).

- The total amount of 300 PLN granted under the benefit system can be used to purchase a new rucksack, pencil case, new outfit or sports shoes or to finance extracurricular activities. The Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy - Bożena Borys-Szopa informs that the benefit may be spent as the parents see fit, as they know best what their child needs.

So far, Polish citizens have already submitted over a million applications under the “Good Start” benefit.

The changes to the regulation on the “Good Start” Programme, adopted by the Council of Ministers, aim primarily at extending the benefit to include students attending schools for adults and post-secondary schools.

- We want to include all students, regardless of the type of school they attend. However, we do not plan to introduce any changes in the eligibility criteria regarding age. We are going to keep the age criterion at 20 years old and 24 in the case of a disabled child - explains Minister Bożena Borys-Szopa.

Please note that applications submitted for the “Good Start” benefit for the current school year for students attending schools for adults and post-secondary schools must be submitted only by traditional means (e.g. personally in a relevant public office or post office). “It is currently not possible to alter the banking system in order to enable the aforementioned persons to submit electronic applications via digital banking applications in the current period of the “Good Start” Programme beginning at 1 July 2019” - says the draft of the new regulation.

The draft regulation also introduces the possibility of applying for a benefit via the Social Insurance Institution’s (ZUS) IT system. Currently, applications for the so-called school starter kit can be submitted via traditional channels, as well as electronically via the electronic banking system and the Emp@tia portal.

In accordance with the draft, the changes shall enter into force as at 1 August 2019.

In 2018, which was the first year of the Programme, a total of 4,408 million “Good Start” benefits have been issued. That means that almost all entitled persons applied for the benefit. Last year, the total cost of the programme amounted to PLN 1.322 billion.