Despite the fact that the liabilities recoverability of maintenance debtors towards the Treasury (due to benefits paid from the maintenance fund) in the last three years has increased by almost 100 percent – from less than 13 percent in 2015 to 33 percent in 2018, changes are necessary in order to improve thereof.

The amendment regarding the maintenance benefits enforcement which was supported on Friday by the Senate of the Republic of Poland assumes, among others, imposing on the organisers of public works the obligation to employ in the first place maintenance debtors. Furthermore, the amount of fine for dishonest employers illegally employing maintenance debtors was increased from PLN 1,500 to PLN 45,000 (until now, it has been between PLN 1,000 and PLN 30,000). This solution will enter into force as of activating the National Register of Debtors.

Moreover, solutions were implemented with which judicial enforcement officers will be able to receive the information on incomes generated by maintenance debtors from the Polish Social Insurance Institution more effectively. How? Judicial enforcement officers will obtain this information electronically with monthly update in case of changes. Additionally, enforcement authorities will be able to carry out enforcement from allowances due to business trips obtained by debtors (up to 50 percent thereof).

Moreover, a significant change also includes increasing the income criterion giving rights to benefits from the maintenance fund from PLN 725 to PLN 800 as of 1 October 2019. As forecasted by authors of new solutions, due to this change, another 60 thousand of children will be able to benefit from the fund.

55 senators were in favour and 31 senators were against adopting the government’s amendment regarding the maintenance benefits enforcement without changes.