The increase in cost of surviving makes many Polish seniors look forward with concern. However, fewer people realize that there is peculiar financial support, commonly called ‘Loneliness allowance’. Although this name is not official, it perfectly reflects the nature of the benefit that is intended to aid older people in hard circumstances. Most importantly, the Social Insurance Institution pays them all period and the amount after the last valorization exceeds 330 PLN. The key information is that any eligible seniors may receive this money automatically, without any application. It is worth carefully checking the rules, due to the fact that for many pensioners it may be a crucial injection of cash into the home budget, allowing to cover the cost of medicines or basic charges.
What is “a bonus for loneliness” and who can receive it?
Under the popular and media word “soneness allowance” there is an authoritative benefit paid by ZUS, i.e. care allowance. Its main nonsubjective is to supply financial support to people who, due to their wellness condition, require care and assistance in their regular functioning. The law precisely defines the 2 main groups of persons who may apply for these measures. This benefit is not dependent on the amount of the pension, making it available to a wide scope of people in need.
The first and most crucial group of eligible are all seniors who aged 75. In their case, ZUS grants an ex officio allowance, which is simply a immense facilitation. The second group are those who were considered to be completely incapable to work and to live independently. In this case age is not a key criterion – the decision of the doctor of the Social safety Office counts. It is worth noting that from 1 March 2024 the amount of the care allowance is PLN 330.07 per month and is valued all year, which means that its tallness will grow with inflation.
Over 330 PLN all period without application. The key age is 75 years
The top advantage of the care allowance is the mechanics for granting it to people who have reached a certain age. Any pensioner from ZUS who is 75 years old, receive this benefit automatically. You do not request to fill out any forms, stand in queues or submit additional documents. The Social Insurance Institution decides to grant the allowance on the basis of the data already in its strategy – especially the date of birth of the recipient.
Money is paid together with monthly pension or pension, making the full process highly convenient for the senior. Amount PLN 330.07 is simply a net amount, is not charged with taxation or wellness contribution, so the full sum goes straight to the eligible portfolio. This is real support that can importantly improve the quality of life, especially in the face of rising prices of medicines and care services. Seniors who are approaching their 75th birthday should simply check their next pension benefit – the increased amount should appear automatically.
How to apply if you are not 75 years old?
The situation is different for people who are not yet 75 years old, but their wellness prevents them from acting independently. They may besides apply for a care allowance, but in their case it is essential to submit an application and to pass the medical procedure. It is crucial to get a ruling on total incapacity for work and independent existence.
The procedure starts with a visit to the treating doctor who completes a peculiar printing – health certificate (form OL-9). In this document, your doctor will describe your condition and the degree of progression. Complete application with medical documentation must then be submitted to the Social Insurance Institution. The next step is simply a call for a medical examination of the Social safety Office, which assesses the wellness of the applicant on the basis of papers and direct examination. The affirmative decision of the jurisprudence is the basis for granting and monthly payment of the allowance of PLN 330,07.
It's not the only backup. What else is worth knowing?
It is worth remembering that the care allowance is not the only benefit of this type. There is besides supplement for a complete orphanwho is frequently confused with the aid of lonely seniors. It benefits those who receive a household pension whose parents are dead. Its amount from 1 March 2024 is PLN 620.36. However, this is simply a completely different benefit for another group of beneficiaries.
It is besides essential to separate the care allowance from ZUS from care allowancewhich is paid by municipal social assistance centres. This allowance is granted to persons with disabilities and is lower. Importantly, both benefits cannot be collected simultaneously. If the individual entitled to the nursing allowance is 75 years old, the municipality will suspend his payment and ZUS will automatically start paying the higher nursing allowance. cognition of these principles avoids misunderstandings and makes full usage of available forms of state support.
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Loneliness allowance for seniors already works. ZUS will pay over 330 PLN all month
