The Good Start programme, commonly known as 300+, has for years provided crucial support for millions of Polish families preparing children for the fresh school year. To date, the provision has been based on the state's trust in citizens, assuming that funds will be allocated to educational purposes. However, 2025 brings a revolutionary and worrying change to many. The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), which has taken over the operation of the program, announces massive expenditure checks. Officials will verify whether the money actually went on textbooks and school supplies alternatively than summertime holidays or fresh electronics. This is the end of an era of unconditional support and the beginning of a fresh chapter in which each parent will gotta prove that the benefit has been utilized as intended. What will these checks look like, and what is the threat of misaccounting? We are analysing fresh regulations and possible consequences for home budgets.
No more freedom. What can 300+ be spent on in 2025?
Although the thought of the program remains unchanged – support for the acquisition of the school expedition – officials decided to clarify and strictly enforce the list of permitted expenses. In 2025 ZUS will require that the funds from the Good Start programme be allocated exclusively for education-related purposes. This means that parents should hold evidence of acquisition in case of checks. The authoritative list of acceptable expenditure includes:
- School textbooks, reading books and another educational books.
- Sheets, drawing blocks, writing equipment and plastic materials.
- Pens, backpacks, boot bags.
- Dress for physical education classes (drapes, shirts, shorts, sports shoes).
- Equipment essential for the implementation of the curriculum, e.g. calculator, circus, musical instrument for music lessons.
- Educational software and teaching aids.
General or amusement expenditure is categorically excluded. Financing from 300+ holidays, buying a smartphone for games, regular clothing or paying bills will be treated as wrongful collection of benefitswhich will have serious financial consequences.
What will ZUS checks look like? Verification mechanism
Many parents ask themselves how ZUS intends to verify their expenses. The control mechanism, which enters into force in 2025, is to be multi-stage. First of all, the checks will be of a nature random or will be initiated by signals about possible irregularities. ZUS will not visit homes in bulk, but will focus on data analysis and randomly selected groups of recipients.
The key component of verification will be call for evidence of purchase. The parent, who will be selected for inspection, will receive an authoritative letter from the Social safety Office requesting the sending of scans or copies of accounts, name invoices or receipts confirming expenditure for educational purposes at least PLN 300. Importantly, receipts must be clear and clearly indicate the acquisition of school supplies. That's why it's so crucial collecting and storing all evidence of purchase at least until the end of the calendar year in which the benefit was paid.
Raw consequences for the dishonest. What are the risks of bad spending?
Officials are announcing that there will be no concession fee. Families who will not be able to paper that the funds from the Good Start programme have been spent for their intended intent must face severe sanctions. The main consequence will be the decision to refund of unduly collected benefit in full amount of PLN 300 plus statutory interest for delay.
But that is not all. In utmost and repeated cases, ZUS may decide to temporarily exclude the household from the anticipation of applying for benefits in subsequent years. Legal experts besides point out that the deliberate misleading of an authority in order to get a property benefit can be considered in explanation as an effort to extort, although in practice specified scenarios will concern alternatively organised fraud. For an average parent, the main hazard remains the request to pay back the money and the accrued interest, which may be a serious burden on the household budget.
Experts and parents divided. Voices in the public debate
The introduction of the control mechanics has led to a broad discussion. Proponents of change, including any public finance analysts, argue that sealing the strategy is necessary. They stress that taxpayers' money should be spent on purpose, and controls will reduce pathologies and guarantee that support actually goes to children. In turn, parent organisations and many recipients express outrage. They point to excessive bureaucracy, treating citizens in advance with the presumption of dishonesty and violating privacy. There are voices that for many families 300+ is simply a cash injection that allows to balance a tight budget at the turn of August and September. Regardless of opinion, 1 thing is certain – 2025 is simply a revolution in the Good Start programme. It is now crucial to collect receipts carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises and calls from the Social safety Office.
Continued here:
Money from 300+ under the microscope. Officials are on the decision and demanding bills!
