Poland’s ZUS social security agency will begin monthly payments of up to 4,353 zł to diabetes patients with the highest level of disability starting March 1, 2026.
How the 4,353 zł Maximum is Calculated
The amount of 4,353 zł is not arbitrary. It equals 220% of the social pension, which after indexation from March 1, 2026, will increase to 1,978.49 zł. The indexation rate for pensions and benefits in 2026 is 105.3%, as announced by the Minister of Family. The level of support is directly tied to the social pension. The higher the percentage of this pension a person is entitled to, the higher their monthly payment will be.
Who Qualifies Based on WZON Points
Only individuals with the highest level of support needs—rated between 95 and 100 points—will receive the maximum amount. This assessment is conducted by a provincial disability assessment team (WZON). The key difference is that it’s not about the disease itself, but the degree of dependency. In public debate, there’s often a misconception: “if you’re ill, you’ll get money.” In reality, the supporting benefit is for people with disabilities who are awarded 70 to 100 points for support needs by the WZON.
How Diabetes Factors Into Qualifications
In the case of diabetes, what matters is how the disease affects daily functioning. Factors that may be significant include the need for insulin therapy, frequent hypoglycemic episodes, severe diabetic foot complications, dialysis due to diabetic kidney failure, vision impairment, or other complications requiring constant monitoring. A person with well-controlled diabetes without serious complications will not receive a high score unless they have additional conditions limiting their daily functioning.
Tiers of Support Amounts in 2026
From March 1, 2026, the amounts of the supporting benefit will be as follows: the lowest amount will increase to 792 zł, while the highest will reach 4,353 zł. The difference between the extreme levels is over 3,500 zł monthly. The benefit amount corresponds directly to the level of support needs assessed by the WZON.
How to Apply for the Supporting Benefit
Even a high point score does not automatically mean payment. Two steps are required: obtaining a decision from the WZON and submitting an application. A decision on the degree of disability alone is not sufficient. This is a common mistake among applicants. The benefit is paid by the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) based on the WZON decision and the submitted application.
Current Review of the Supporting Benefit System
At the end of 2025, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy reviewed the functioning of the regulations. Information indicates that analyses are underway, including regarding the rules for determining the level of support needs and the payment period. Currently, the maximum period for which support is granted is 7 years—even if the disability decision was issued for a longer period. For now, however, the existing rules apply.