The family care capital (FCC) improves the quality of life of many Polish families by facilitating their development and planning a peaceful future. It is an additional support instrument to combine parenthood and work.

The allowance became effective on 1 January 2022 and is not dependent on a family’s income. The allowance may be as high as PLN 12 thousand for the second and each subsequent child. The target group consists of the parents who have children aged 12 up to 35 months. The parents and guardians are free to choose whether the funds should be paid out in the amount of PLN 500 over two years, or in the amount of PLN 1 thousand over one year. In 2022, this family allowance will cost approx. PLN 3.1 billion in total.

The best to comment on how important this support is are the very parents.

‘We can see how much help parents receive.’

Monika and Grzegorz Czechowski from Warsaw are a happy family of six. Only after a number of years, they can notice what assistance they received from the state in the past and what they receive now.

- We are parents who have always worked and cared for that our children have everything they need. The money from the family care capital is now an important additional support for us. When we were young parents, we could feel that there was no state support. Only after a number of years, we can notice how much parents are supported now - say the Czechowskis.

 ‘A good and well-thought allowance for families’

These funds are equally important to Anna Kur from Warsaw, the mother of three children, who has been using the FCC since February this year. She admits that this is a good and well-thought allowance to support families.

- We can pay for various classes for our children and we have got money to cover the current needs of our youngest daughter. We believe that this is an excellent investment in children and help for all mothers - says Anna Kur.

The family care capital supports the household budget of Ewa Grabarz from Ciechanowiec, the mother of two children. She receives additional funding for her daughter Wiktoria.

- I can invest this money in the future of my child and pay for additional attractions in her leisure time, for example performances or tickets to the swimming pool. We are very satisfied with this support. We are happy that we can benefit from this additional funding - adds Ewa Grabarz.

‘Measures to ensure a peaceful and happy childhood’

On the other hand, the Jędrasik family from Kielce views the funds from the family care capital as a good investment in culture and a means to look to the future with confidence.

- We can afford to make a family theatre trip now. Clothes, toys, tickets - all such things are becoming more expensive, however with the support we get, we can ensure that our children have a peaceful and happy childhood - said the Jędrasiks.

Ewelina Kruk from Kielce also receives the additional support from the family care capital, and she spends it for raising her children.

- To buy milk, clothes or care products for the toddlers, and to pay for family vacation trips. She finds it to be a huge help for all families with children. The support may also be used for the education and extending the range of interests of a child - emphasizes Ewa Kruk.

‘We are pleased that a new social project has been created.’

The Kostrzyński family from Ciechanowiec invests the funds they receive from the family care capital in the education and expending the range of interests of their child.

- The additional funds enable us to arrange English classes for our child. We are pleased that a new social project has been created - says Agnieszka Kostrzyńska.

From the data of the Ministry of Family and Social Policy results that as much as PLN 1.36 billion have already been spent for the payments from the family care capital by the end of April. As many as 471.6 thousand allowances have already been granted.