“We have decided to introduce a new benefit for persons unable to live independently”, said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference on Tuesday.

The bill on an additional benefit for persons unable to live independently is an implementation of the promise made by the Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiceki at the Prawo i Sprawiedliwość Party Convention in May this year. The purpose of the bill is to provide additional financial assistance to the most needy in the form of an additional benefit of 500 PLN due to higher costs of care, rehabilitation and medical treatment.

“Responsible economic development does not leave anyone to themselves and does not leave anyone behind”, said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Minister Bożena Borys-Szopa explained that the additional benefit will be paid to persons who are 18 years or older, have a certificate of inability to live independently, and receive benefits that do not exceed the lowest amount of pension for inability to work, which is now 1,100 PLN. “Last year, we increased the lowest amount of pension for inability to work to 1,100 PLN. This is why we applied this income threshold”, said the Minister.

“In order to receive the benefit, one should submit an application To the authority that issued a disability certificate” said the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy.

Also, persons who only have a certificate of significant disability may, within 6 months of the entry into force of the act, apply for a certificate of inability to live independently and for the additional benefit to the Social Security Institution (ZUS).

The additional benefit, the costs of its handling and the costs of processing applications will be paid from the Solidarity Support Fund for the Disabled.  Also, the bill provides for loans from the Solidarity Support Fund for the Disabled and state budget grants to the Solidarity Support Fund for the Disabled.

The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy estimates that appr. 500,000 persons will be entitled to the new benefit.