Tying the payment of 800 Plus benefits to school attendance has led to an increase in the number of students in Polish schools. Why? It turns out that some children for whom benefits were claimed were not enrolled in the Polish education system. With the new rule in place, the program now ensures that funds are directed to families where children are actually attending Polish schools.
New Students in Schools
Following the connection of the 800 Plus benefit to compulsory school attendance, 39,000 Ukrainian children have entered the Polish education system, as announced by Education Minister Barbara Nowacka on Radio Zet. "These are children who were living in Poland but were not attending school," she added, noting that the announcement of this requirement also led to a decrease in 800 Plus payments. "Our predecessors did not ensure that public funds were well allocated. Many who were receiving benefits were no longer living in Poland," Nowacka further explained.
However, there has been one exception made for this school year. This applies to children in the highest-grade level in schools that operate under the Ukrainian education system. These students are not required to attend Polish schools and can continue their education online.
800 Plus Applications Only Online
Although new legislation regarding 800 Plus payments took effect in July, the changes will not happen immediately. Why? The new payment period for the Family 800 Plus program began on June 1, 2024, and will last until May 31, 2025, and the law does not apply retroactively. The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) began distributing these benefits in May and will continue to do so under the existing rules until the end of the payment period. To maintain continuous payments, parents and guardians are required to submit a new application for the program.
Applications can only be submitted electronically: through the mZUS mobile app, directly on the ZUS Electronic Services Platform (PUE ZUS), via the Emp@tia portal, or through online banking services.
