Active in Daycare: A PLN 1,500 Benefit for Parents in Warsaw in 2024 – What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

The introduction of the new “Active in Daycare” benefit in Warsaw is great news for parents who want to enroll their child in a daycare center, including Academy International. The benefit amounts to PLN 1,500 per month and aims to ease the family budget. Find out what requirements need to be met to take advantage of this support!
What are the eligibility requirements for the “Active in Daycare” benefit?
To receive the “Active in Daycare” benefit, parents must submit an appropriate application to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). Applications can only be submitted electronically. The support is granted directly to the daycare facilities, not to the parents’ accounts, so parents do not need to worry about handling direct payments.
What conditions must parents meet?
The benefit is available to parents, legal guardians, and individuals granted custody of a child based on a court decision. This also includes foster parents and temporary guardians (in the case of Ukrainian citizens).
What are the age-related conditions for the child?
The benefit covers children who attend a daycare center, children’s club, or are under the care of a daily caregiver. The child’s age must not exceed 3 years, unless due to difficulties in providing preschool education, in which case the benefit may extend until the age of 4.
What does the Act cover?
The “Active Parent” Act of May 15, 2024, provides financial support for parents, legal guardians, and other individuals responsible for the care of children of daycare age.
- The childcare subsidy under the “Active in Daycare” benefit amounts to PLN 1,500 per month, and for children with a disability certificate, PLN 1,900. The benefit covers costs related to the child’s stay at the daycare, while parents are only responsible for paying for meals and any additional activities offered by the daycare.
- Child’s age – the benefit is available for children up to the age of 3, and in cases where providing preschool education is impossible or challenging, up to the age of 4.
- Application Submission – Parents can apply for the benefit by submitting electronic applications to ZUS. The benefit is transferred directly to the bank account of the daycare center or daily caregiver.
- Regardless of Income – The benefit is available irrespective of the family’s income, meaning all parents can apply for it as long as they meet the other conditions.
- Program Exclusions – The “Active in Daycare” benefit cannot be combined with other forms of support, such as “Active at Home” or “Active Parents at Work.”
This act aims to relieve parents of childcare costs while supporting access to daycare centers and other childcare facilities in Poland.
Who is eligible for the “Active in Daycare” benefit?
The “Active in Daycare” benefit is available to parents and legal guardians of children who attend a daycare center, children’s club, or are under the care of a daily caregiver.
- Parents (mother or father) – The benefit is available to the biological parents of daycare-aged children.
- Legal Guardians – Individuals who have been appointed as the child’s legal guardians by a court ruling.
- Foster Parents – The benefit is available to foster parents who have children in their care.
- Family Children’s Home Caregivers – Individuals who care for children in family children’s homes.
- Individuals Granted Custody by a Court – This includes, for example, those providing ongoing care based on a court ruling.
- Individuals Awaiting Completion of the Adoption Process – People who have filed a court application for the adoption of a child and are awaiting the completion of the adoption process.
- Directors of Care and Educational Facilities – In the case of children residing in such facilities.
- Temporary Guardians – This applies particularly to Ukrainian citizens who have become temporary guardians of children due to war-related circumstances and meet the condition of residing legally in Poland for at least 365 days.
To benefit from the program, the child must attend a facility registered in the daycare and children’s club registry or be under the care of a registered daily caregiver. It is also essential for the applicant to submit a request to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS).
Does “Active at Home” also apply?
No, the “Active in Daycare” benefit is not available if, in a given month, the parent receives other benefits such as “Active at Home” or “Active Parents at Work.”
How to Apply for the “Active in Daycare” Benefit?
To receive the benefit, an application must be submitted online via the PUE ZUS platform or https://empatia.mpips.gov.pl/. This is a simple and convenient method that allows you to apply quickly without the need to submit paper documents.
What documents are needed for the application?
In the case of parents with joint custody, actual or legal guardians, as well as foster caregivers, appropriate court certificates must be attached. The specific documents required will depend on the family situation.
When Should the Application Be Submitted?
The application can be submitted starting October 1, 2024, but not earlier than the day the child begins attending daycare. If the application is submitted within 2 months of the start date, the benefit will be granted retroactively from that month.
Can the application be submitted online?
Yes, applications can only be submitted online through the PUE ZUS platform or other available tools, such as the mZUS mobile application or online banking systems.
What Are the Costs Associated with a Child’s Stay in Daycare?
After the introduction of the benefit, the cost of a child’s stay in daycare amounts to PLN 1,500 per month, or PLN 1,900 for children with a disability certificate. These amounts are covered by the “Active in Daycare” benefit, and parents only pay for meals and additional activities.
What Are the Payment Rules?
Parents will not have to pay for their child’s stay in daycare, provided they receive the “Active in Daycare” benefit. The entire amount will be transferred directly to the daycare center’s or daily caregiver’s bank account.
Are Subsidies Available?
Yes, the “Active in Daycare” benefit covers the cost of the child’s stay. However, the amount of the benefit cannot exceed the monthly fees set by the daycare center.
When Will the Benefit Be Paid?
The “Active in Daycare” benefit will be paid monthly, with the funds transferred directly to the bank account of the daycare center, children’s club, or daily caregiver where the child is enrolled. Payments are made by the 20th of each month for the previous month.
For example, if the benefit is granted in November, the payment for November will be transferred to the daycare’s account by December 20.
Remember, as a parent, you don’t need to manage the finances directly for your child’s stay in the facility, as the funds are automatically transferred to the daycare center or daily caregiver. If there are changes in the daycare fee for a given month, the difference will be adjusted in the benefit payment for the following month.
What to Do in Case of Delays?
The “Active in Daycare” benefit is an excellent form of support for parents in Warsaw who want to provide their child with free daycare services. Thanks to this program, financing childcare becomes more accessible, and daycare centers remain free for families.
Do you have any questions or need more information? Contact us!