Poland’s care allowance, designed to partially cover costs for individuals requiring assistance, will see a potential adjustment in 2027 after remaining unchanged since 2019.
Purpose of the Care Allowance
The care allowance is intended to partially cover expenses related to providing care and assistance to another person due to their inability to live independently.
The allowance aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with ensuring someone receives the necessary support for daily living.
Who is Eligible for the Care Allowance?
The care allowance is available to specific groups of individuals. This includes those with a moderate degree of disability who were disabled before the age of 21.
Individuals over the age of 16 with a moderate degree of disability are also eligible, provided their disability occurred before they turned 21.
Care Allowance Amount in 2026
In 2026, the care allowance amounts to 215.84 złoty per month. This amount has remained constant since 2019 and is not currently indexed to inflation.
A review of the allowance amount is scheduled for 2027, but a review does not guarantee an increase in the benefit.
Who is Not Eligible for the Care Allowance?
The care allowance is not provided to individuals residing in facilities offering full-time care. It is also not granted if family members receive benefits from abroad to cover the costs of care, unless otherwise stipulated by social security coordination regulations or international agreements.
Individuals already receiving a care supplement are also ineligible for the care allowance.
Interaction with the Care Supplement
If an individual is granted a care supplement for a period that overlaps with a previously paid care allowance, the pension or benefit paying agency (e.g., the Social Insurance Institution) will reduce the benefit by the amount of the previously paid allowance.
This amount is then transferred to the appropriate agency as a reimbursement for the overpaid care allowance.
The transferred sum is treated as a refund of the incorrectly received care allowance.
