Family

One of our key activities is the “Family 500+” programme. Since the introduction of the programme (in April 2016), a total of approximately PLN 80 billion has been distributed to families. Since July this year, all children up to 18 years of age have been included in the Programme, regardless of their family income. This will enable the state to provide financial support to 6.8 million children in 4.4 million families.

The programme helps families to increase their standard of living. One of the benefits of the programme is the fact that extreme poverty level has decreased from 6.5% in 2015 to 5.4% last year. There was also an increase in disposable income of households compared to 2015, which indicates an improvement in the financial situation of Polish households.

We are happy to see that due to the 500+ programme, families invest more money in education, recreation and development of their children. Because of that, an increasing number of children can participate in extracurricular activities and take summer and winter holiday trips - says Minister Borys-Szopa.

We didn't stop at “Family 500+” Our aid directed towards families with children is also reflected by the “Good Start” programme, i.e. one-time benefits for all students. In addition, we have introduced the “Toddler+” programme, helping to develop the network of nurseries and children's clubs.

Our government has also drawn attention to the problems faced by large families. We are developing the Large Family Card, a system of discounts and additional rights for families with at least three children. Today, 825,000 families hold a Large Family Card. The number of programme partners increased from 1.2 thousand in 2015 to 5.8 thousand. 

Digital services

We want to make sure that our programmes are as friendly as possible for families and therefore we have focused on developing digital services. You can submit online applications for “500+”, “Good Start”, family benefits or alimony funds, and the Large Family Card is also available in the form of a mobile application.

Our actions bring results. For example, by the end of September this year, on-line applications for 500 plus benefits had already accounted for 68% of all applications. A year earlier, this percentage remained at 34%.

- Due to the digital revolution families save time and municipal offices have an easier work, which helps to speed up the process of issuing benefits. Changes have also been recognised by employees who no longer have to bring medical certificates on paper to their employers in order to account for a sick leave. These documents are now automatically sent electronically by each doctor - comments Deputy Minister Kazimierz Kuberski.

Seniors

We also listen to the voices of the elderly citizens. In 2017, we fulfilled our most important promise, which was to restore the retirement age - 60 years for women and 65 years for men.

We regularly increase the amount of benefits issued to seniors. The lowest benefits have increased by approximately a quarter between 2016-2019. Since March, the minimum pensions have already reached the level 1100 PLN, and last year's indexation of pensions was the highest in five years.

Another example showing that seniors can count on our help and support is the “Pension+” programme, i.e. one-off benefits in the amount of PLN 1100 issued in May this year to all pensioners. In total, 9.8 million seniors received benefits, and PLN 10.8 billion was allocated for payments.

We have also created adequate conditions for active life for seniors after retirement. Since 2018, we have been allocating PLN 80 million annually for the implementation of the "Senior+" programme, i.e. PLN 50 million more in relation to 2015. As a result, in last year alone, 257 new Senior+ houses and clubs were established. They provide the elderly with a wide range of activities such as cultural, educational and sporting activities. Moreover, the elderly who remain in these facilities receive care and spend time in pleasant company.

Support for seniors also includes “75+ Care,” which aims to increase access to care services, including specialist services for the oldest seniors. In turn, persons who have retired from the labour market but who wish to use their knowledge and experience after retirement can benefit from the Government Programme for Social Participation of Senior Citizens

- We have also made efforts to help mothers who gave up professional occupation in order to focus on caring for their large family consisting of multiple children and thus did not even get the chance to earn the lowest pensions. Due to the “Mama 4+” programme, such persons receive supplementary benefits in the amount of the lowest pension. We have already issued approximately 50 thousand benefits - says Deputy Minister Marcin Zieleniecki.

Persons with disabilities

We support persons with disabilities in a manner that is not only comprehensive, but also long-term and meets their expectations. In 2018 alone, we allocated approximately PLN 19.5 billion for this purpose, almost PLN 4 billion more in relation to 2015. We estimate that this year we will add at least PLN 2.8 billion to that record amount.

We have created the Solidarity Fund for Persons with Disabilities, which aims to provide social, professional, health and financial support for persons with disabilities. The funds have been used, among others, for financing respite care for the carers of the person with disabilities, financing care services or establishing care and housing centres.

A programme “Personal assistant for persons with disabilities” was launched in October this year under the Solidarity Fund for Persons with Disabilities. - The programme will provide persons with disabilities with support in everyday activities and facilitate their functioning in social life. The support provided by a personal assistant is a necessary condition for facilitating the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the local community - stresses Deputy Minister and Government Plenipotentiary for the Disabled - Krzysztof Michałkiewicz.

In addition, we are increasing the benefits for persons with disabilities. For instance, since March of the current year, the social pension amounts to PLN 1100. During our term of office, we also saw an increase in the care allowance (for the first time in 12 years) as well as an increase in the special care allowance and carer's allowance (for the first time since the introduction of both benefits).

In October this year, we have also introduced new regulations for the supplementary benefit for persons who are unable to live independently. Due to the introduced changes, persons with disabilities are now provided with support in the amount of up to 500 PLN per month. The new benefits will aid over 800 thousand people. Approximately PLN 4.5 billion will be allocated for support each year.

Labour

In recent years, we have seen a record decrease in unemployment. The unemployment rate estimated by the Ministry at the end of September amounted to 5.1%. The unemployment rate is at the lowest level in 30 years.

In the previous month, the number of unemployed persons amounted to just over 850,000. At the end of 2015, over 1.5 million persons were registered in Labour Offices.

The salaries of Poles are also steadily growing. In 2015, the minimum salary was PLN 1750, while in the current year it was increased to PLN 2250. In 2020, the minimum salary will increase to PLN 2,600, which translates to an increase of PLN 850 in relation to 2015.

In 2017, we have also introduced a minimum hourly wage for persons employed under certain civil law contracts. The changes were intended to offset the abuse of the so-called “junk contracts” and to provide protection for employees with the lowest salaries. In the first year after introducing the new regulations, the minimum hourly rate was PLN 13. In 2019, it amounted to PLN 14.7. In 2020, the minimum rate will amount to PLN 17.

The next step in improving the labour conditions for employees will involve actions against the “first day's pay syndrome”. Beginning from 2016, employers are required to issue a written confirmation of the terms and conditions of an employment contract previously concluded with an employee if the employment contract was not concluded in writing. This change has made it possible to combat illegal employment in a more effective manner.

- Everything we have just presented above constitutes only a part of what we are doing. During these last four years we have managed to carry out plenty of work, serving Polish families, persons with disabilities as well as the elderly. However, we are aware that much remains to be done. Therefore, I hope that in the next term of office we will not slow down and will continue to work in order to improve the quality of life in Poland - stresses Deputy Minister Stanisław Szwed.