Calculate how much you received from the child benefit (500+/800+) for your children.
Child 1
About the 800+ Program
The 800+ child benefit (formerly 500+) is a family support program in Poland introduced in April 2016 by the Law and Justice government. Initially it only applied to second and subsequent children, but from July 2019 it was extended to all children. From January 2024, the amount increased from 500 to 800 PLN monthly per child.
Complete guide to 800+ benefit
The 800+ child benefit is the largest family support program in the history of Poland, which revolutionized family policy in the country. The program was introduced by the Act of July 11, 2014 on family support in the childcare system, and its first version (500+) launched on April 1, 2016. Since then, it has become one of the most popular social benefits, used by millions of families across the country. The benefit is granted for each child until they turn 18, regardless of family income. Since January 2024, the monthly amount increased to 800 PLN per child, making it one of the most generous programs in Europe. Parents can use these funds for any needs related to raising children - education, health, entertainment, or daily expenses. The application for the benefit can be submitted electronically through the Ministry of Family and Social Policy portal 'Emp@tia' or in person at the Social Assistance Center. The benefit is paid monthly in arrears, usually by the 10th of each month. The program requires no income threshold, meaning every family, regardless of financial situation, can receive these funds.
Who can receive the benefit:
- Any parent or legal guardian of a child until age 18
- Regardless of family income level
- Parents' employment status is irrelevant
- Applies to Polish citizens and foreigners with residence permits
- Child must reside in Poland
How to submit an application:
- Electronically via Emp@tia portal or electronic banking system
- In person at the Social Assistance Center (OPS)
- By traditional mail
- Required documents: child's birth certificate, parents' ID cards
- Application can be submitted at any time of year
Detailed program history:
- April 2016: Launch of 500+ program for 2nd and subsequent children
- July 2019: Extension to all children without income threshold
- January 2024: Increased to 800 PLN monthly
- The program continues to evolve - further changes planned
Important information:
- Benefit paid until child turns 18
- Apply through ZUS or OPS (formerly 500+)
- No income requirement - money for every family
- Amounts in PLN (Polish złoty)
⚠️ These are ESTIMATE calculations for informational purposes only.
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Going over the income threshold reduces the benefit — it does not remove it
Since 2016 the zasiłek rodzinny uses a rule called złotówka za złotówkę, zloty for zloty. Exceeding the 674 zł per-person income threshold does not disqualify a family; the benefit is reduced by exactly the amount of the excess. A family one zloty over the line loses one zloty of benefit, not all of it — which is the opposite of how most means tests behave.
How it works
- Compares income per family member against the threshold.
- Applies the age-banded rates for each child.
- Shows what the zloty-for-zloty taper leaves when income is above the line.
threshold: 674 zł per person, or 764 zł where a child has a disability certificate monthly rate per child: up to age 5 95 zł age 5 to 18 124 zł age 18 to 24 135 zł above the threshold: benefit − (income excess), rather than nothing
Worked example
Why the cliff edge was removed.
- before 2016, a family one zloty over the threshold received nothing
- that made a small pay rise capable of costing more than it gained
- now the benefit is reduced by the size of the excess instead
- so income above the line always leaves the family better off overall
- the benefit falls to zero only once the excess exceeds the whole entitlement
A taper rather than a cliff. It is the single most useful thing to know about this benefit, because families who assume they earn too much often still qualify for part of it.
Reading the result
- Rates and thresholds are set by regulation and change. The figures here — 674 zł, 764 zł, and 95/124/135 zł — are the published amounts at the time of writing; confirm current values on gov.pl before relying on them for a decision.
- The zasiłek rodzinny carries a long list of supplements: for a child's birth, for single parenthood, for a large family, for schooling away from home. Those are applied for alongside the main benefit and can exceed it, so the headline rate understates what a family may receive.
- Income is assessed per person in the family, so household size cuts both ways: another child raises the entitlement and lowers the per-person income at the same time.
- This page does arithmetic on figures you supply. Entitlement is decided by your local social assistance office, which sees documentation this page cannot, and only that decision is binding.
Common questions
- What is the income threshold for zasiłek rodzinny?
- 674 zł per person in the family, or 764 zł where a child has a disability certificate. Income is assessed per family member, so household size cuts both ways: another child raises the entitlement and lowers the per-person income at the same time. These are the published figures at the time of writing, so confirm current values on gov.pl.
- Do we lose zasiłek rodzinny if our income is slightly over the threshold?
- No. Since 2016 the złotówka za złotówkę rule applies: the benefit is reduced by exactly the amount of the excess instead of being withdrawn. A family one zloty over the line loses one zloty of benefit, and the benefit only falls to zero once the excess exceeds the whole entitlement. Families who assume they earn too much often still qualify for part of it.
- How much is zasiłek rodzinny per child?
- 95 zł a month for a child up to age 5, 124 zł from 5 to 18, and 135 zł from 18 to 24. On top of that come supplements, for example for a child's birth, single parenthood, a large family or schooling away from home, which are applied for alongside the main benefit and can exceed it. Your local social assistance office makes the binding decision.