The "800 plus" benefit is a Polish government program that financially supports families with children. It was introduced by the Law and Justice PiS party after its 2015 election victory and maintained by Donald Tusk's coalition after it came to power in 2023.
As of now, the benefit provides a monthly payment of 800 zlotys (€190) for each child under the age of 18, an increase from the previous 500 zlotys. Moreover, it is available to all eligible families, regardless of income level.
In February 2022, as full-scale war broke out in Ukraine and many war refugees began arriving in Poland, benefits were extended to Ukrainian children. However, it was found that some recipients were receiving these benefits despite not being permanent residents of Poland.
Rafał Trzaskowski, the Mayor of Warsaw and nominated by Tusk's Civic Coalition as its presidential candidate, recently proposed limiting the payment to parents who reside in and pay taxes in Poland.
In response to Trzaskowski’s proposal, Donald Tusk wrote on x that "Warsaw’s mayor’s proposal to pay the 800 only to those migrants, including Ukrainians, who live, work and pay taxes in our country, will be examined urgently by the government”. "I am in favor of it,” Tusk added.
The proposal, however, has not been enthusiastically welcomed by the whole ruling coalition, with the Left strongly opposing it.
(aj)
SOURCE: IAR; euractiv.com