Applications for a new benefit are submitted to ZUS. PLN 18.5 million has already been paid
ZUS received over 8.4 thousand. applications for support benefits – a new form of support for disabled people. So far, approximately 5.6 thousand have been considered. applications, 1.5 thousand people have already received benefits for a total amount of PLN 18.5 million.
On January 1, 2024, the Act of July 7, 2023 on support benefits entered into force, which introduced new solutions in the benefit system for people with disabilities and their carers.
Supportive provision: for whom?
People with disabilities from the age of 18 can apply for support benefits. It is available regardless of income and regardless of other forms of support received by people with disabilities.
The right to a support benefit depends on the disabled person obtaining a decision establishing the level of need for support, ranging from 70 to 100 points. The amount of the support benefit depends on the level of support need, i.e. the number of points awarded, and is related to the amount of the social pension.
From January 1, 2024, the Social Insurance Institution is responsible for accepting applications for support benefits, examining them, and granting and paying this benefit.
Disabled people apply for support benefits
Paweł Żebrowski, spokesman for the Social Insurance Institution, informed that ZUS received over PLN 8.4 thousand. applications for support benefits. So far, approximately 5.6 thousand have been considered. applications, 1.5 thousand people have already received benefits for a total amount of PLN 18.5 million.
– 65.8 percent of them were submitted by disabled people themselves, 21.2%. by proxy, and 13 percent by a statutory representative – Żebrowski also informed.
He reminded that the right and amount of support benefits are determined by ZUS on the basis of the decision of the Provincial Disability Assessment Team.
– That's why the order in which documents are submitted is so important. If a person with a disability first submits an application for a support benefit to ZUS and does not have a decision issued by WZON on determining the level of support need, ZUS, in accordance with the regulations, will leave such an application without consideration – noted Żebrowski.
