A huge change that had been proposed by disabled persons and their caretakers was the raising of social pension from 865.03 PLN to 1,029.80 PLN, i.e., to the amount of the lowest work disability pension, in 2018. From March 2019, it is already 1,100 PLN – 360 PLN more than in 2015, when social pension amounted in 739.58 PLN.

‘For the first time in over 12 years, we have increased the amount of attendance benefit. This refers to over 911,000 beneficiaries,’ says Minister Elżbieta Rafalska. In 2015, the attendance benefit amounted to 153 PLN. In November 2018, this amount rose by 31.42 PLN to 184.42 PLN. The second tranche of the increase will occur in November this year. At that time, the attendance benefit will rise also 31.42 PLN to 215.84 PLN. Altogether, the amount of attendance benefit will rise by 62.84 PLN, i.e., by around 40%.

And what about carer’s allowance? In 2019, it amounts to 1,583 PLN. ‘Last year it was 1,477 PLN; in 2015 – 1,200 PLN. This means that it has risen by 383 PLN during the last four years,’ stresses the head of the Ministry of Family. She adds that the amount of carer’s allowance is combined with the increase of minimum remuneration and is subject to annual indexation.

For the first time since their introduction, the amounts of special care benefit and carer’s benefit have increased, too. In November 2018, both of them rose by 100 PLN to 620 PLN. This means an increase on the level of 20%.

‘These increases are best illustrated by specific examples. Let us consider the situation of a mother taking care of a learning disabled 16-year-old child for whom a statement of severe degree of disability has been issued,’ says Minister Elżbieta Rafalska.

In 2015, such a parent was entitled to carer’s allowance in the amount of 1,200 PLN per month, pension, retirement pension, disability pension and health insurance premiums – 438 PLN per month, family benefit – 118 PLN and supplement to family benefit in respect of the education and rehabilitation of a disabled child – 100 PLN per month. The child received an attendance benefit in the amount of 153 PLN per month.  Altogether, it was 2,009 PLN per month.

In 2019, a parent is entitled to carer’s allowance in the amount of 1,583 PLN per month, pension, statutory pension, disability pension and health insurance premiums – 561 PLN per month, family benefit – 124 PLN, supplement to family benefit in respect of the education and rehabilitation of a disabled child – 110 PLN per month, child care benefit (“Family 500+”) – 500 PLN per month. A parent may also receive the “Good Start” benefit for a learning child in the single amount of 300 PLN, i.e., 25 PLN per month. The child is entitled to an attendance benefit in the amount of 184.42 PLN per month.

‘This means the total amount of 3,087.42 PLN per month. The difference between years 2019 and 2015 is, therefore, 1,078.42 PLN. I agree with the opinions of disabled persons and their caretakers that these benefits are low and not fully satisfactory. However, we must note that they have considerably increased, for example, in comparison to 2015,’ says Minister Elżbieta Rafalska.