Polish parents caring for disabled children under 18 can receive monthly benefits of over 3300 zł while working without restrictions.
Who is Eligible for the Caregiving Benefit?
Regulations clearly define both the circle of eligible individuals and the conditions that must be met to receive the caregiving benefit. It is granted to caregivers of persons with disabilities until they reach the age of 18. The caregiving benefit can only be received by persons exercising actual and constant care over a child with a disability.
Regulations Expand Eligibility for Caregiving Benefit
The regulations expand the group of individuals who can apply for the caregiving benefit. It is available to:
Required Certifications: What Conditions Must Be Met
Not every parent of a child with a disability will receive support. To obtain the caregiving benefit, the person requiring care must have a valid disability certificate containing indications of: the need for constant or long-term care or assistance from another person due to significantly limited independent existence, the need for constant participation of the child’s caregiver in the treatment, rehabilitation, and education process (in the certificate – points 7 and 8 with the annotation “requires”) or a certificate of significant degree of disability.
Employment and Caregiving Benefit – End to Limitations
It is possible to combine professional employment with the caregiving benefit without any restrictions. This change results from the amendment to Article 17(1) of the Family Benefits Act, which abolished the condition of resignation from employment or not taking up paid work as a prerequisite for granting the caregiving benefit. From 2024, the caregiver’s work has no impact on the right to this benefit – regardless of its type, working hours, place of execution or the amount of remuneration received.
Importantly, the status of a farmer, spouse of a farmer, or household member of a farmer no longer constitutes an obstacle to obtaining the benefit. From January 1, 2024, caregivers can receive the caregiving benefit without having to give up running a farm or working in it, which is the result of the repeal of Article 17b of the Family Benefits Act.
Caregiving Benefit and Retirement/Pensions
The new regulations also expand the rights of caregivers who receive a pension, have been granted a pension or other retirement-pension benefit. Having one’s own retirement-pension benefit does not deprive the right to the caregiving benefit, provided that the care concerns a child with a disability until they reach the age of 18.
How to Receive a 100% Higher Benefit?
The caregiving benefit can be significantly increased if the caregiver meets certain conditions. According to current regulations, if a caregiver receiving the caregiving benefit under the new rules cares for more than one person (child) until the age of 18, holding the required disability certificate, the benefit amount increases by 100% for the second and each subsequent child under care.
When Is the Increased Benefit Granted?
The increase in the caregiving benefit is not automatic. The condition for its granting is the submission by the caregiver of a separate application for the increased benefit. Only after its consideration can the granting authority apply the increased amount.
What is the Amount of the Caregiving Benefit in 2026?
From January 1, 2026, the caregiving benefit amounts to 3386 zł monthly. This is the effect of annual indexation linked to the increase in the minimum wage. In 2025, the caregiving benefit was 3287 zł, which means it was increased by 99 zł this year.
