The application for the benefit can be placed through empatia.mpips.gov.pl, through an electronic banking system and through the electronic system of the Social Insurance Institution (PUE). The call for applications will remain open until November 30th. Since August the applications can also be submitted directly to the Office or sent via post.

Considering the current epidemiological situation, we strongly encourage everyone to submit the electronic applications. It is not only fast and convenient, but also primarily dictated by safety reasons.

Support for all school students

The application for the benefit may be submitted by mother, father, legal or factual guardian. In the event that the child remains under shared parental care of divorces parents living in separation, each parent may obtain half of the benefit, i.e. PLN 150.

The benefit is awarded once for each child who attends school under the age of 20, or - in the case of children with disabilities - until the age of 24. It is also worth adding that the support under the programme may also be granted for secondary school students or students who attend schools for adults.

Without excessive bureaucracy

With regards to the “Good Start” programme, we have waived the requirement for issuing and delivering an administrative decision on granting the benefit. The persons who apply for the benefit will obtain the relevant information to the e-mail address stated in the application or can collect it in person. It is also worth to mention the fact that persons who do not collect the decision are still going to be eligible for the benefit.

When is the benefit issued? In the case of applications submitted in July or August, the benefit will be paid out at the latest until the end of September. In the case of applications submitted later, the family will receive the benefit within two months after submitting the application.

The full amount of the support is tax free

It is also worth to note that the entire benefit under the “Good Start” programme is completely tax-free. In addition, it cannot be covered by enforcement proceedings. In order to avoid any doubts in the event of a banking seizure covering the account containing the funds obtained under the benefit, an alternate method of payment should be determined with the relevant municipal authority (i.e. postal order).

Difficult questions, easy answers

Parents who receive social benefit were unsure if their benefit will be revoked after obtaining the “Good Start” benefit. That is not the case. The “Good Start” programme is not taken into account when calculating family income when determining the right to obtain benefits under alternative support mechanisms. That means that receiving support under the programme does not mean losing the social benefit.

Another question often raised by parents includes indicating the school their children will attend to in the application. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the exams for sixth-graders and recruitment procedures for high schools have been postponed. For that reason, in July some of the parents may not know which school their children will attend. That fact causes concerns with regards to the benefit. We wish to explain and calm you down: the applications for the “Good Start” benefit may be submitted until November 30 this year, i.e. also during the schoolyear.