Polish political leaders clash over 800 plus benefit plan
There is a notable alignment between the PSL and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on the 800 plus issue. The PSL president confirmed that the leader of Poland 2050 supports the PSL amendment, provided that the higher benefit of 800 PLN per month is targeted at working people and linked to employment in the household. In this framing, the emphasis is on reinforcing work incentives while expanding social support.
The government has approved a bill to raise the 500 plus benefit to 800 PLN per month, with the changes scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024. The lawmakers are moving forward with this timeline, outlining the plan to adjust social support as part of a broader attempt to respond to living costs and family needs.
Szymon Hołownia, the leader of Poland 2050, has stated that he would not support the project in its current form. He emphasized a political stance against the measure, asserting that the proposed increase should be evaluated within the broader economic strategy of the country.
“We will vote against 800 plus because it is wasted money for elections. We will build an economic Poland that will invest this money in our future”, Hołownia shared on social media on Tuesday afternoon.
Kosiniak-Kamysz was asked by PAP whether PSL shares Hołownia’s position. He indicated that the party would table an amendment, arguing that the 800 plus benefit should apply to working people, with at least one employed family member. This would ensure the measure reaches households with active labor participation.
In response to Hołownia’s public hesitation about supporting the plan to raise the benefit beyond 500, the leader of the People’s Party asserted that there was no disagreement with the Poland 2050 stance on this matter. He added that discussions around the 800 plus proposal had taken place between PSL and Poland 2050.
“Szymon Hołownia supports our amendment, the question is whether PiS supports the appreciation of working people”, Kosiniak-Kamysz commented to reporters.
Change of law
The draft amendment to the state aid law for families has been approved by the government on Tuesday. The key point is that the child care allowance would be raised to 800 PLN per month, with payments to commence by January 1, 2024, and the increased amount to be paid no later than February 29, 2024, with retroactive compensation starting January 1, 2024. The justification notes that the extended payment deadline allows time to establish technical rules and ensure that the social insurance institution can process all cases efficiently.
Officials indicated that ZUS will make every practical effort to guarantee the 800 PLN childcare allowance is paid continuously, starting from the existing payment schedule and continuing into January 2024, where feasible organizationally.
The change in the benefit amount will take effect automatically, without a separate application. The 500 plus benefit applies from a child’s birth until the age of 18 and covers children living in families as well as those in foster care.
Source notes: Hołownia’s remarks and PSL positions were reported by PAP. The original report also references coverage from wPolityce.