Poland's ZUS disburses 300‑zł ‘Dobry Start’ school‑supply aid to millions of families

Since 1 July 2026 the Polish Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) has received almost 1.4 million applications for the “Dobry Start” programme, covering more than 2 million school‑age children. To date the agency has paid out nearly 173 million zł in one‑off 300 zł grants that can be used for textbooks, notebooks, equipment and other school supplies.

The grant is available to every child enrolled in a primary, secondary or post‑secondary school up to age 20 (up to age 24 for children with a disability), irrespective of parents’ income. Applications must be submitted electronically via the mZUS app, the eZUS portal, electronic banking or the Emp@tia portal by 30 November 2026. Submitting the request early speeds up the transfer, with most funds reaching families by the end of September.

The Mazowieckie region accounts for the highest number of applicants (about 284 000 children), while Opolskie has the fewest (just over 48 000). Local reports from Płock, Radom and Wrocław note that hundreds of thousands of złoty have already been transferred to residents. The program excludes children in kindergartens and university students, is tax‑free and cannot be seized by bailiffs. Foreign residents may also qualify if they meet employment‑activity criteria or fall under specific exemption rules.