Government Approves Plan to Automate Annual 800 Plus Renewals From 2027
Poland's cabinet has adopted a draft amendment that would end the requirement for families to reapply for the 800 plus child benefit every year. Under the plan, a single application filed after a child's birth would keep payments flowing until the child turns 18.
Single application under the new draft
The Council of Ministers has adopted a draft amendment to the act on state support for raising children. The change is aimed at simplifying how the 800 plus benefit is granted. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the government wants the benefit to stop being associated with a burdensome yearly paperwork obligation (Co dalej z 800 plus? Donald Tusk ogłasza rewolucyjną zmianę – RMF24).
Under the current rules, parents and guardians must file a new application every year to keep receiving the payment. Under the draft, parents would submit one application after the child's birth, and payments would continue automatically until the child reaches 18 (Rząd zmienia zasady 800 plus. Rewolucja od 2027 roku – wiadomosci.dziennik.pl).
How ZUS would handle renewals
The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) would set the entitlement for each following period on the basis of the application already on file, so families would not need to resubmit documents (Koniec uciążliwego obowiązku. Rząd przyjął projekt zmian w 800 plus – portalsamorzadowy.pl) (Rząd przyjął zmiany w 800 plus | TVN24 Biznes – tvn24.pl). If a family's circumstances change, the beneficiary could update the information previously provided so that ZUS can correctly determine the right to the benefit.
Parents would still have to notify the office about significant changes that affect the payment, Tusk said.
Timing
The reform is presented as a deregulation measure. Media reports link its entry into force to 2027.
Sources
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