The government tightens up the criteria for a protective supplement. Thousands of Poles will lose support in 2025!

In 2025 the protective supplement returns, but in a completely new, much more restrictive formula. The government decided to proceed to support households in the face of inactive advanced energy and life costs, but besides introduced key changes in income criteria. According to the analysis of the bill, thousands of Poles who have so far qualified for assistance may not receive it next year. This decision responds to the request to strengthen fiscal policy and to effort to address aid more precisely to the most deprived. The fresh income thresholds have only been raised slightly, which in practice, taking into account inflation and wage growth, represents a real tightening of the rules. For many families, even a tiny increase in wage could mean losing the right to benefit, which provided crucial support in the home budget. Experts are alerting that these changes can hit pensioners and low but unchangeable incomes the most.

New income thresholds in 2025. Who's gonna lose the allowance?

A key and most controversial change in the 2025 protective supplement is the modification of income thresholds. The government, arguing with the request to rationalise spending, has decided to value it, which, however, does not keep up with the real cost of living. This makes the eligibility limit more hard to achieve. Here's how fresh limits are presented:

• Single-person holding: Monthly income shall not exceed PLN 2200 net (previously PLN 2100).
• Multi-man farm: The monthly income per individual in the household shall not exceed PLN 1650 net (previously PLN 1500).

In practice, this means that a single pension with a pension of PLN 2250 net will no longer receive support. Similarly, a four-member household in which the full net income exceeds PLN 6600 (4 x PLN 1650), will besides be excluded from the program. marketplace analysts indicate that with the projected increase in minimum wage and the valorisation of pension benefits, a group of people excluded from the strategy can scope up to respective 100 1000 households per country.

How much will the cover supplement be in 2025? Amounts and forks

Despite the tightening of the criteria, the benefit amounts themselves were somewhat increased to partially compensate for inflation. The government maintained a breakdown into basic and increased rates for households whose main origin of heating is solid fuels reported to the Central Building emanation evidence (CEEB).

Basic amounts of the cover allowance for 2025 (one-off payment):

• 1-person farm: 250,00 zł
• Farm 2-3 persons: PLN 375,00
• Farm of 4-5 persons: 535,00 zł
• Farm of 6 persons and more: 720,00 zł

Increased amounts of the protective additive for 2025 (solid fuel heating):

• 1-person farm: PLN 312,50
• Farm 2-3 persons: PLN 468.75
• Farm of 4-5 persons: PLN 668.75
• Farm of 6 persons and more: PLN 900,00

The “gold for gold” rule is inactive valid. How does it work?

The good news for those whose income is somewhat above the fresh thresholds is the maintenance of the Gold for Gold. This rule allows the benefit to be received even after the limit has been exceeded, but its amount will be reduced by the amount of that surplus. This is simply a safety buffer that prevents an increase in income by respective zlotys causing a full failure of support.

Example: A household of 3 in which the income per individual is PLN 1,700 net. It crosses the threshold of PLN 1650 by PLN 50 per person, which gives a full surplus of PLN 150 (3 x PLN 50). As a standard, this household would be entitled to an allowance of PLN 375. After applying the “gold for gold”, the surplus is deducted from this amount: 375 PLN – 150 PLN = 225 PLN. That amount will be paid to the family. Important: if, after deduction of the surplus, the amount of the allowance falls below PLN 20, the benefit will not be paid.

How and where to apply? Terms that cannot be missed

In order to receive a protective supplement for 2025, a fresh application will be required. The government plans to launch the recruitment as early as the beginning of the year. It is crucial to observe the time limits, since applications submitted after the final date will not be considered.

Application deadline: 1 January to 30 April 2025.

Where to apply?

• Electronic: via ePUAP platform or mCitizen app. This is the fastest and recommended method.
• Traditionally (paper): in the local social assistance centre (GOPS/MOPS) competent for the place of residence.

The payment of the benefit, as in erstwhile years, is to be implemented on a one-off basis, and the funds should scope the beneficiaries' accounts by 30 June 2025. Changes in the protective supplement for 2025 are a clear signal that the government is looking for savings, which unfortunately will affect the budgets of many Polish families. It is worth to number your income carefully and see if we can inactive number on this crucial support next year.