The 800+ programme, which is simply a continuation of the erstwhile 500+, has been an crucial support for Polish families for years. However, in fresh years the government has introduced a number of changes that importantly affect the availability of this benefit. So who lost the right to 800+ and who has to meet the fresh requirements to receive it?
New criteria for children from Ukraine
Since September 2024, crucial changes have been made to the children of refugees from Ukraine. To qualify for the 800+ benefit, these children must attend Polish schools or participate in the yearly pre-school preparation. Children graduating in the Ukrainian educational strategy on a distant basis do not fulfil this condition, which automatically excludes them from the program. As a result, around 20,000 children Ukraine has lost its right to support this.
Restrictions for Polish beneficiaries
The changes besides affected Polish families. The fresh rules supply that 800+ is not available in situations where:
- The kid turned 18.
- It is placed in a nursing or detention facility.
- Family lives outside Poland.
- Parents receive akin support in another country.
- A insignificant kid becomes a parent and receives a child’s education.
The introduction of these criteria aims to better match support to household situations and encourage beneficiaries to work.
Planned changes in granting 800+
There are further proposals for changes in the payout strategy in the public space. The candidate of the Civic Coalition for President, Rafał Trzaskowski, proposed that the benefits be dependent on the professional activity of parents. This thought was supported by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, suggesting that a discussion on changes in the programme is needed. Additionally, the PiS Club in the Sejm submitted a bill that assumes that 800+ will be awarded only to persons who paper permanent residence and employment in Poland.
Application procedure and time limits
In order to hold the right to benefit, families must remember to apply on time. The fresh service period starts on 1 June 2025 and runs until 31 May 2026. Applications may be submitted only electronically, by:
- PUE ZUS Platform.
- Emp@tia portal.
- Electronic banking.
The timetable for submission and implementation of payments is as follows:
- Applications submitted by 30 April – first payment by the end of June, without interruptions in receiving benefits.
- Applications lodged in May – pay for June and July by the end of July.
- Applications lodged in June – pay for June, July and August by the end of August.
- Applications lodged after 30 June – benefit granted only from the period of application, without compensation for erstwhile months.
The timely submission of the application is crucial to avoid interruptions in payments.
Enhanced checks on beneficiaries
New in this year's edition of the programme are more stringent checks on persons collecting benefits. ZUS will verify the privileges utilizing the Educational Information System, the bases of the Ministry of Education and discipline and the PESEL register. peculiar attention has been paid to:
- School obligation – parents gotta prove that the kid actually attends school.
- Residence position of foreigners – in the case of Ukrainian citizens, it will be essential to confirm the legal stay and attend the Polish educational institution.
- Double collection of benefits – the control strategy is intended to destruct cases where benefits are collected simultaneously in Poland and in another country.
More here:
Who doesn't get 800+? Government tightens regulations and introduces fresh rules
