“Active Parent” is a new program that aims to help parents reconcile work with childcare for children up to three years old. It will start on October 1, 2024. From that day on, caregivers will be able to apply for one of three new benefits.
The Social Insurance Institution will be responsible for granting and paying out support. This institution already has extensive experience in managing nationwide programs such as 800+ or ”Good Start”.
In short: the “active parents at work” benefit is intended for professionally employed parents. If the child attends a nursery, they will be entitled to the “actively in the nursery” benefit, which will replace the current nursery subsidy from ZUS. The third type of support is the “actively at home” benefit, which will replace the family care capital and will also cover the first child. The right to benefits does not depend on the family’s income.
The program will start on October 1. From that day on, applications for payments will be submitted. The act is being implemented according to the adopted plan. ZUS officials assure that they will be ready to handle this task.
Importantly, applications can only be submitted electronically. After verifying the data for October, which is submitted by the employer on the 5th, 15th and 20th day of each month, the Institution plans the first payments at the turn of November and December. According to estimates, the “Active Parent” program can cover over 570 thousand children aged one to three. Government solutions are to make it easier for parents to reconcile the tasks related to parenthood and professional activation.
Active parents at work
Parents and guardians who are professionally active will be able to apply for the “active parents at work” benefit. It will cover children from 12 to 35 months of age who do not attend a nursery, kindergarten, children’s club and are not under the care of a day carer. The payment will amount to PLN 1,500 per month per child or PLN 1,900 if the toddler has an appropriate disability certificate.
Active in the nursery
Children who attend a nursery, a children’s club or are under the care of a day carer will be entitled to the “actively in a nursery” benefit. This support will replace the current nursery subsidy from ZUS. It will be higher than the previous one, because the current nursery subsidy is up to PLN 400 per month. The new support will cover costs up to PLN 1,500 per month, and in the case of a child with an appropriate disability certificate, the subsidy amount will be up to PLN 1,900.
Active at home
The third type of benefit is “actively at home”. It will be available for each child in the family, aged 12 to 35 months. It will replace the current family care capital, but unlike RKO, it will also cover the first child. The benefit will amount to PLN 500 per month. The total amount to be used for one child in the period from the 12th to the 35th month of their life will amount to PLN 12,000.
In a given month, only one type of benefit from the “Active Parent” program can be received per child. However, it is possible to replace one support with another, for example if the applicant’s professional situation changes.
(P. Walczak)