Family Care Capital is one of the key elements of the Polish Order. It is an investment in the family – in a better today, as well as in the better future for the next generation. The new benefit is PLN 12 thousand for the second and subsequent child between 12 and 36 months of age – regardless of income. Parents will decide on their own what to spend the funds on – e.g. a nursery, a nanny or independent care of the child and whether they want to receive PLN 500 per month for two years or PLN 1,000 for a year.

The Sejm adopted the Act on Family Care Capital

– The adoption of the Act on Family Care Capital by the Sejm is excellent news. We know very well how important for working parents is access to care for young children. We are doing our best to increase the number of such care facilities. Another step in this direction is Family Care Capital. This is an additional benefit which can be spent by parents on anything they want – e.g. a nursery, a nanny or independent care of the child. In addition, we are increasing expenditures on the “Toddler+” programme, thanks to which this network of care institutions for children below 3 is constantly growing – says the Minister of Family and Social Policy, Marlena Maląg.

The process of accepting applications, granting and paying the benefit will be handled by the Social Insurance Institution. The solution is to enter into force on 1 January 2022. In the first year of its functioning, about 615 thousand children are to use this support.

The first children in the family will also receive support

The Act also provides for the introduction of co-financing for the functioning of care facilities for children who are not covered by Family Care Capital, e.g. the first children in the family. Co-financing will amount to PLN 400 a month per child in a nursery, children’s club or day-care provider – to be provided directly to the institution (no more than the amount of the fee incurred by parents). The income criterion will not apply here either.

The solution will apply as from 1 April 2022, but co-financing will be granted with compensation from 1 January 2022. This form of support will cover about 110 thousand children.

PLN 1.5 billion for the “Toddler+” programme

The ministerial programme for the development of care institutions for children below 3, “Toddler+”, is to be expanded. It is about the integration of various sources of co-financing, i.e. in addition to the national funds, also the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the European Social Fund+, which will be allocated for creating and functioning of care facilities.

Today, the budget of the programme is PLN 450 million a year, following the changes it will be as much as PLN 1.5 billion a year.