On May 5, the Polish government adopted a draft law introducing a “senior voucher” for citizens over 65, allocating 1 billion PLN for home-based support while establishing strict exclusion criteria.
Scope of Support for Seniors Aged 65 Plus
The senior voucher is designed to support individuals over the age of 65 in daily activities that present difficulties. This includes practical assistance at home with dressing, meal preparation, mobility, and maintaining household order.
The assistance also covers support related to medical appointments, the use of healthcare services, and basic hygienic care.
Monthly Income Limit and Annual Adjustments
The senior voucher will be available only to those whose average monthly income from the last three months does not exceed 3,410 PLN.
This income threshold is not permanent. The amount will be indexed annually on the same dates as the indexation of pensions and disability benefits from the Social Insurance Fund, following the same indexation rate.
Assessment of Daily Functional Needs
Meeting age and income requirements is not sufficient to receive the voucher. It is also necessary to demonstrate that the senior has unmet needs in daily functioning and requires support with basic activities of daily life.
Exclusions for Existing Public Care Recipients
The project prohibits combining the senior voucher with other public-funded care benefits and services. Seniors will not receive the voucher if they are already receiving specific support forms, including nursing home (DPS) residency or 24-hour care.
A voucher may be granted in exceptional situations if the aforementioned forms of care are incidental and last no longer than 14 days at a time.
Implementation Timeline and Budgetary Allocation
Adopted by the Council of Ministers on May 5, the bill is part of a broader long-term care reform. The government plans to allocate 1 billion PLN for the program’s implementation between 2026 and 2028.
The legal basis is the draft act on the coordination of long-term care and older persons (No. UD326).
