The Polish Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) warns citizens against paying for assistance with applications for supporting benefits, after a family lost zł22,000 to a law firm.
ZUS Warns of Scams Targeting Benefit Applicants
The ZUS is alerting individuals applying for supporting benefits about offers of paid “help” that are unnecessary. The institution emphasizes that applications can be submitted free of charge, and ZUS staff provide assistance throughout the process.
Despite this, the ZUS receives reports of people paying intermediaries thousands of złoty for assistance.
Family Loses Funds to Unnecessary Legal Assistance
A family approached a ZUS office after a woman utilized the services of a law firm offering help with obtaining supporting benefits. The client signed a contract and granted power of attorney without understanding the consequences.
As a result, the first payment, including arrears, totaling nearly zł22,000, went to the law firm’s account before reaching the beneficiary.
Similar Cases Reported, Intermediary Fees Can Be High
The ZUS notes this is not an isolated incident, with previous reports of intermediaries charging up to zł10,000 or multiples of the monthly benefit amount. These funds could have been used for medical treatment, rehabilitation, or daily care.
Supporting Benefit Applications: Assistance is Free
The ZUS stresses that using intermediaries is not necessary. Applications can be submitted free of charge, and authorized individuals, such as family members, can receive support from ZUS staff.
Intermediaries Have No Influence on Benefit Decisions
A crucial point often overlooked is that law firms and intermediaries have no impact on the decision or the number of points awarded by the WZON (Voivodeship Assessment Team).
The Myth of Increased WZON Points Through Intermediaries
Many offers suggest that professional assistance will “increase chances” or “raise the score.” However, the process involves first obtaining a decision on the level of support needed (at least 70 points) from the WZON.
Only then can one apply for the benefit through the ZUS. No intermediary can “secure” points, and the decision depends on actual functioning, not the application’s form.
Why People Pay Intermediaries for Support Benefits
The difficulty lies not in the application itself, which is relatively simple, but in the WZON decision and functional assessment. Intermediaries exploit the feeling of being lost during this stage.
High Fees Often Discovered Later
Individuals often discover the high cost of intermediary services only after signing a contract.
Supporting Benefit: What to Watch Out For Before Signing a Contract
The ZUS urges caution and thorough analysis of any offer, particularly emphasizing the importance of carefully reviewing the contract and contacting the ZUS before making a decision.
Appealing a WZON Decision Independently
An appeal of a WZON decision can be written independently (without charge). Many people seek intermediaries because they don’t know how to write an appeal, but there is no official form, and the key is to describe real-life functioning, not to create a “well-written” document.
FAQ: Supporting Benefit
Is there a fee to submit an application for a supporting benefit? No. The application can be submitted free of charge independently or with the help of ZUS employees.
Can an intermediary increase the number of WZON points? No. The score is determined by the commission based on a functional assessment.
Can someone be authorized to submit an application? Yes, such as a family member.
What should you do if someone offers paid assistance? Carefully review the contract and contact the ZUS before making a decision.
