Poland proposes extended care allowance for parents of ill children

The Polish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has introduced a legislative project aimed at extending care allowances for parents of seriously ill children. The proposal, which was added to the government's work schedule on October 6, seeks to provide up to 120 days of support per year in specific cases.

The plan involves creating a separate pool of up to 60 days of care allowance specifically for the care of children under 18 who are seriously ill. This additional pool would be independent of the standard allowance limit, potentially allowing families to combine both to reach the 120-day threshold. The extent of the additional support would be determined by medical assessments of the child's condition and level of independence.

The proposed changes are expected to take effect in 2027. The initiative follows concerns raised by the Children's Rights Ombudsman regarding parents having to resort to unpaid leave or resigning from work due to the current limits on care benefits during long-term hospitalizations or treatments.