April 1st this year saw an exceptional event – the 5th anniversary of the "Family 500+” programme. For that reason, we wanted to give voice to the main heroes of the programme, i.e., the families. How did their lives change during the past 5 years? What were they able to achieve due to the care benefit? How do they assess these measures? Let us find out!

“My children smile more often”

Ewelina Kręcichwost (Brzeszcze, Małopolska) underlines that since the beginning of the programme, she had the finances for the basic home expenditures and the food for the entire family.

– The support allowed me to purchase better clothes for my children, healthier food and toys developing their interests and creativity. I am able to keep up with the expenditures for their school needs and for the purchase of their school accessories. I am able to go with the children to the cinema and to the pool. The financial security I can bring forth to my children due to the programme makes my children smile more often – Ewelina Kręcichwost says.

“I look towards the future without concern”

A mother of three, Anna Galicka (Bukowno, Małopolska) admits that the programme really helped to meet the needs of her children and to fulfil their dreams.

– Despite the fact that providing for maturing sons, and their education requires involves increasing expenditures, I look towards the future without concern, because I know that I can count on your support in the form of “500+” benefit – Anna Galicka says.

She also adds that the programme allowed their children to, among others, receive their dream gifts and all sorts of equipment which the family was unable to afford before.

“We are a multi-children family; the programme allows us to live more easily”

Rafał i Zofia Bartosz (Jodłownik, Małopolska) indicate that the “Family 500+” programme provides additional funds for their children, which gives great possibilities to satisfy their needs.

– When the programme was introduced, we have received significant funding, which provided great help for our family. It allowed us to save up some money and put them towards finishing up our home. Now we can afford to spend our summers together. We may be able to increase our investments in the development of children, who may be able to fulfil some of their dreams – Mr and Ms Bartosz add.

“We are able to develop our children's passions and interest”

Milena Kosterna from Iłża (Mazowieckie), and her husband Kamil raise three children: daughter Klaudia (14), son Maciej (11) and daughter Hania (2).

– We are able to develop our children's passions and interests. They attend additional classes, foreign language lessons, and they also learn how to swim and ride horseback. Trips and excursions, both those for just one day, as well as those that last a little longer, allow them to learn more about Poland, various cities, monuments and history. Our children's remote learning forced us to purchase the necessary equipment, we were able to do the shopping due to the savings generated due to that benefit – Milena Kosterna enumerates.

She also adds that the “500+” benefit also allowed them to fulfil one of their dreams of having a large family – the savings allowed them to decide on having another child, and the money from the programme allows the family to provide a decent living.

“Expenditures are high in large families, and the programme provides a large support”

Sylwia Nowacka (Świętokrzyskie) rates the “Family 500+” programme really well. She says that the living standard of her family has significantly improved since its introduction. Expenditures in a large family are significant.

– Renovating and furnishing our daughters’ own room was a large expenditure, but it was all possible due to the additional funds under “500+”. Due to the government support provided under the programme, we were able to purchase school accessories, books and an additional computer, which proved so useful for remote learning. Money is gradually spent on clothing, shoes, toys for the children, on holiday or zoo trips, but they are also partially saved for children's future education – Sylwia Nowacka sums up.

“The Programme allows us to fulfil the dreams of our children”

Nina and Piotr Stępień (Świętokrzyskie), parents of two daughters who attend school and kindergarten believe that “Family 500+” programme provides a great support for their family.

– These funds allowed us to be able to afford a holiday trip, which had been only been our dream due to insufficient funds. The money which we receive are a regular benefit – that is why we are able to plan expenditures such as private English classes for the older daughter and swimming lessons for the younger one. These classes assist the correct development of our children, they ensure good start in life and bring them plenty of happiness – Mr and Ms Stępień say.