Support benefit 2026: how much can you get and how are the points calculated?

From January 1, 2026, the support benefit paid by ZUS will cover a wider group of people with disabilities – those who, in the decision of the provincial team, obtained at least 70 points on the scale of the need for support. By the end of November 2025, ZUS accepted 188.5 thousand. conclusions.

The support benefit was introduced in stages to adapt the system to the growing number of eligible people. From 2024, it was available to people with the highest level of support need (87-100 points), and from 2025 it was extended to people with 78-86 points.

From next year, all disabled people with at least 70 points will have access to it (except for a special path for people whose guardians received care benefits – they could use them from 2024).

“The monthly amount of the benefit depends on the number of points and ranges from 40% to 220% of the current social pension (PLN 1,878.91 gross after indexation from March 2025), i.e. from PLN 752 to PLN 4,134. The benefit is indexed automatically and paid only to a bank account,” ZUS said.

A person applying for the benefit should submit an application to the Provincial Disability Assessment Team (WZON) for a decision determining the level of support need. After receiving the decision (after 14 days from delivery, if no appeal has been filed), she should submit an application to ZUS – only electronically via PUE/eZUS, the Emp@tia portal or electronic banking.

“From the moment the WZON decision becomes final, the client has 3 months to submit an application. Then he will be entitled to the benefit with compensation. An application on behalf of a person with a disability may be submitted by his or her representative or legal guardian,” ZUS said.

“People who are entitled to the benefit from January 1, 2026 should submit an application as soon as possible, preferably in December 2025 or by the end of January 2026 at the latest. Otherwise, if the entitled person submits the application only in February, he or she will not receive funds for January,” explained Ewa Krysiewicz, deputy director of the Department of Family Benefits at the ZUS Headquarters.

The support benefit is independent of other ZUS benefits, such as social pension or supplementary benefit for people unable to live independently.

By the end of November 2025, ZUS had paid benefits amounting to almost PLN 7.7 billion. The largest number of applications were submitted in the following voivodeships: Lesser Poland (22 thousand), Podkarpackie (17.6 thousand), Kujawsko-Pomorskie (15.6 thousand). High amounts of withdrawals were recorded, among others: in Małopolska (over PLN 1 billion) and Podkarpacie (nearly PLN 732 million). (PAP)

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