- “We decided to enlarge the group of persons who can benefit from the Large Family Card, since we want to appreciate parents’ effort in bringing up three, four or more children. Recently, among others, due to the “Family 500+” programme the financial situation of large families definitely improved. However, we cannot forget about those, who decided to bring up a large number of children earlier. Therefore, as of the beginning of 2019 all persons, who brought up at least three children will have the right to discounts – irrespectively of the age of those children today” – explains Elżbieta Rafalska, the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy.

More persons authorised to the Large Family Card

Significant changes to the Large Family Card are coming in the new year. The provision giving the possibility of granting the Large Family Card to parents, who have or had at least three dependent children – irrespectively of their age at the moment of submitting the application enters into force on 1 January 2019. In the draft of the 2019 budget, 40.8 million zloty was allocated to the Large Family Card – over 12 million zloty more than in 2018.

The traditional and mobile Large Family Card

Today, over 2 million persons use the Large Family Card – this is over 140 percent more than three years ago. A traditional card is held by 2.1 million persons, of whom 1.23 million are children and 0.87 million - parents.
– “As of the beginning of 2018 we also introduced a mobile version of the Large Family Card. This is a modern solution that significantly facilitates using the card and attracts increasing interest. Currently, 226.4 thousand persons use the card – says Minister Rafalska. The mobile Large Family Card is used by 137.1 thousand children and 89.2 thousand parents.

Almost 5 thousand partners of the Large Family Card

– “We changed the manner of soliciting partners supporting the Large Family Card. Today it is dealt with by a non-governmental organisation, which has significantly improved the whole process. The effects are visible – the number of partners increased over 4 times and, thus, the number of places accepting the discounts - underlines the Minister of Family. In 2015, 1.2 thousand partners participated in the programme. Today, there are almost 5 thousand of them, and 22 thousand locations accept discounts.

Where to submit the application?

The application for the Large Family Card can be submitted in the municipality relevant for the place of residence, or more efficiently and faster via the IT and services platform: Emp@tia (www.empatia.mrpips.gov.pl).

A broader offer for large families

The Large Family Card (LFC) is a system of discounts and additional rights for families 3+ both, in public institutions and private companies. The discounts include, railway tickets, lower passport fees, a possibility of using cultural institutions’ offer cheaper, recreation centres, bookstores or discounts on purchasing clothing, shoes, cosmetics, books or… fuel. Therefore, the Card provides large families with easier access to recreation and decreases costs of everyday life.

The Large Family Card programme can be joined by any company and institution irrespectively of the size, sector or range of activity. The partners include both, all-Poland chains and small, local entrepreneurs. Partners join the programme voluntarily and the amount of discounts is given individually.