The senior voucher, promised in the 2023 election campaign and intended to support older people in everyday life, will be introduced in a limited form. According to the latest draft act, the benefit will cover only selected groups of seniors – people aged 80 plus with low income.
According to forecasts, the number of people over 85 will increase by approximately 90% over the next 15 years. This means that the need for support for seniors will increase and the care system requires urgent reforms.
The senior voucher is a new assistance program that offers care services for seniors instead of cash. The maximum value of the benefit will be PLN 2,150 per month, which will finance up to 50 hours of home care.
It was originally assumed that the voucher would be available to all people aged 75 and over. However, according to the latest version of the project, for the first three years the program will only cover seniors who are over 80 years old. Moreover, only people who meet the income criteria will receive support.
Senior voucher and pension. Who will benefit? Income threshold
The current version of the act significantly tightens the income threshold. Initially, it was planned to amount to 5,000. PLN gross, but in the latest project it was set at PLN 3,410 gross. For comparison, the average pension paid by ZUS is currently PLN 3,900 gross, which means that many seniors will not qualify for the program.
Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz, Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, explains that the restrictions result not only from the budget, but also from the shortage of employees caring for the elderly.
“I heard the same thing in most local governments – there is a shortage of workers. Especially in small communes, where the need for support is greatest.” – she said in an interview with “Dziennik Gazeta Prawna”.
Senior voucher. When will the program start?
The bill is scheduled to be debated by the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers in October. If the regulations are adopted, the program will enter into force on January 1, 2026. Applications for the voucher will be available from the second half of 2025, and will be handled by city and commune offices.
Source: Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, Business Insider Polska
