Poland’s ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) offers a rehabilitation allowance to bridge the gap for those whose sickness benefit expires while treatment continues.
Eligibility for Rehabilitation Allowance
The rehabilitation allowance serves as a continuation of the sickness benefit, available to individuals who are unable to immediately return to work after a prolonged illness. It’s also accessible to those who have lost their ability to work due to an occupational accident or disease.
The standard sickness benefit lasts a maximum of 182 days, extending to 270 days for tuberculosis or pregnancy. After losing insurance coverage during sick leave, a maximum of 91 days are allowed before eligibility for the rehabilitation allowance is considered.
How to Apply and Required Documents
The rehabilitation allowance is not automatic; applicants must submit form ZNp-7 to ZUS. Required documentation includes a medical certificate confirming continued incapacity for work, and documentation related to employment history and income.
Employers or contributors submit documents to ZUS. Self-employed individuals or those who have lost insurance coverage submit them directly. Form OL-10 is not required for extensions or when incapacity arises after insurance termination.
Important Dates and Deadlines
To ensure uninterrupted benefits, the application must be submitted at least six weeks before the sickness benefit expires. The deadline for submitting an application is 18 months from the end of the sickness benefit period.
Exceptions exist for situations where the applicant was hospitalized or faced other unavoidable obstacles, allowing submission within six months of those obstacles being removed.
ZUS Decision and Dispute Procedure
ZUS’s medical expert assesses the applicant’s health. If the applicant disagrees with the assessment, they can file an objection within 14 days, which will be reviewed by a medical commission. The ZUS President can also challenge the validity of the assessment.
Based on the final ZUS assessment, a decision regarding the rehabilitation allowance is issued, specifying the amount and duration of the benefit.
Rehabilitation Allowance Amount in 2026
The allowance can be granted for a maximum of 12 months, either as a lump sum or in installments. For the first 90 days, the allowance is 90% of the sickness benefit base, decreasing to 75% thereafter. During pregnancy or following a work-related accident/illness, the allowance is paid at 100% of the base.
For example, if the sickness benefit base is 4000 zł, the rehabilitation allowance would be 3600 zł for the first three months, then 3000 zł for subsequent months. For a pregnant woman, it would be 4000 zł throughout the entire period.
Payment Schedule
Payment timelines depend on who is responsible for disbursement. Direct ZUS payments are made within 60 days of application submission. Employer or contributor payments follow the regular payroll schedule, but no later than 30 calendar days after the ZUS decision.
Who is Ineligible for the Allowance?
Individuals receiving other benefits, such as pensions or unemployment benefits, are ineligible. Working or earning income while receiving the allowance disqualifies the recipient.
Ineligibility also applies to those significantly responsible for their accident (e.g., under the influence), those violating safety regulations, those on parental or unpaid leave, those serving prison sentences, or those with outstanding social insurance contributions (unless settled within six months).
What to Do After the Allowance Ends?
Upon completion of the rehabilitation allowance period, individuals still unable to work can apply for a disability pension, providing financial support for those unable to continue employment due to health conditions.
