Seniors will be happy. A new benefit is coming

A seniors' voucher is to be introduced in Poland. This is a benefit for people caring for seniors over 75. As part of the voucher, worth up to PLN 2,150 per month, municipalities will provide support services, relieving families - especially those who are professionally active.

The senior voucher is to start on January 1, 2026. It will provide eligible individuals with a package of services that will be tailored to the individual needs of older people. Additional medical care, support in everyday life, and psychological assistance are included.

The benefit will be available to seniors who are 75 years of age or older and receive a pension or disability pension. In addition, they must have care needs that cannot be met by their immediate family.

In addition, their average monthly salary, including care allowance, cannot exceed certain thresholds:

• PLN 3,500 gross in 2026
• PLN 4,000 gross in 2027
• PLN 4,500 gross in 2028
• PLN 5,000 gross from 2029

SEE: ZUS is taking on pensioners. Changes are coming in June

An application for a voucher may be submitted by the senior's family, or more precisely, their descendants (children, grandchildren), who are professionally active and have a maintenance obligation towards the senior. The applicant's income must be within certain limits:

• cannot be lower than the minimum wage
• cannot exceed twice the minimum wage for a single-person household or three times the minimum wage for a multi-person household

The Senior Voucher does not provide for cash payments . Instead, municipalities will be responsible for organizing support services for seniors. In principle, these services should include:

• meeting basic daily life needs
• assistance in obtaining access to health services
• basic hygiene and nursing care
• ensuring contacts with the environment

The awarding of the voucher will be preceded by an assessment of the level of unmet needs of the senior in terms of basic activities of daily life. The assessment will be made by a municipal employee, awarding points on a scale of 11 to 60.

SEE: Second pension indexation in 2025? This is a huge support for seniors

Depending on the number of points, a senior will be able to receive:

• up to 12 hours of services per month (11-20 points)
• 13-24 hours (21-35 points)
• 25-36 hours (36-50 points)
• 37-50 hours (51-60 points)

The maximum value of the voucher, i.e. PLN 2,150 per month, corresponds to 50 hours of support services.

Municipalities will be able to provide services themselves or commission them to non-governmental organisations, social economy entities or local companies.

However, it should be remembered that the benefit will not be available to seniors who already benefit from other forms of support , such as a supplementary benefit (the so-called 500 plus for dependent persons), care services at home, neighbourhood services or 24-hour care.