Poland's ZUS opens applications for 300 zł school‑supply aid

The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) has opened the annual "Dobry Start" programme, offering a one‑time 300 zł grant for each child attending school in Poland. The benefit is paid regardless of family income and is available to pupils up to age 20, or up to age 24 for children with a disability. It does not cover children in kindergarten (zerówki) or university students.

Applications are accepted electronically from 1 July to 30 November. Submissions made by 31 August are guaranteed to be paid by 30 September; later filings may be delayed. Requests can be sent via the mZUS app, the eZUS portal, online banking, or the Emp@tia system. In the previous year more than 3.3 million applications were received for nearly 4.9 million children, with total payouts exceeding 1.4 billion zł.

Foreign residents are subject to additional conditions: citizens of non‑EU/EFTA countries and the United Kingdom must have been employed in the month before the application, while Ukrainian refugees with the UKR status are entitled if their child is enrolled in a Polish school.