How much is the benefit and for how long is it paid?

PLN 1,000 per month for 52 weeks for one child. For twins — 65 weeks, triplets — 67, quadruplets — 69, quintuplets and more — 71 weeks.

Can it be combined with maternity benefit?

No — the parental benefit is available only to parents who are NOT entitled to ZUS maternity benefit. If you have a right to maternity benefit, you cannot receive kosiniakowe.

Can the father receive the benefit?

Yes — after 14 weeks from the child's birth the benefit can transfer to the father. Both parents cannot receive it simultaneously.

Is there an income threshold?

No — the parental benefit is granted regardless of family income. This distinguishes it from, e.g., the child benefit (zasiłek rodzinny).

Data current as of April 2026

Parental benefit (kosiniakowe)

PLN 1,000 per month for parents not entitled to ZUS maternity benefit — unemployed persons, students, workers without sickness insurance. No income threshold. A KRUS-insured person receives this as the KRUS maternity allowance (applied for at KRUS, not the council).

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PLN 1,000

kwota miesięcznie

52–71 weeks

czas pobierania

no threshold

kryterium dochodowe

Who is entitled to parental benefit?

Parents with no right to ZUS or KRUS maternity benefit
Unemployed persons (registered and unregistered at the labour office)
Students and pupils
Civil-law contractors who did not pay voluntary ZUS sickness insurance

The benefit is paid by the social assistance centre (MOPS) or local council office — not ZUS. It can be combined with other family benefits (e.g. 800+). A KRUS-insured farmer does not apply at the council — the same support (PLN 1,000/month) is received as the KRUS maternity allowance, applied for at a KRUS office; there is no provision barring overlap, but only one of the two is paid (see the Zasiłek macierzyński KRUS entry).

How to apply

MOPS / local council office

Apply at the social assistance centre or local council office for your place of residence. Applications can be submitted within 3 months of the child's birth.

Required documents

Birth certificate of the child, confirmation that you are not receiving maternity benefit, identity document. If unemployed — letter from the labour office or a declaration.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the benefit and for how long is it paid?: PLN 1,000 per month for 52 weeks for one child. For twins — 65 weeks, triplets — 67, quadruplets — 69, quintuplets and more — 71 weeks.
Can it be combined with maternity benefit?: No — the parental benefit is available only to parents who are NOT entitled to ZUS maternity benefit. If you have a right to maternity benefit, you cannot receive kosiniakowe.
Can the father receive the benefit?: Yes — after 14 weeks from the child's birth the benefit can transfer to the father. Both parents cannot receive it simultaneously.
Is there an income threshold?: No — the parental benefit is granted regardless of family income. This distinguishes it from, e.g., the child benefit (zasiłek rodzinny).

A parent without maternity benefit?

Check the full list of family benefits in the calculator — 800+, becikowe, zasiłek rodzinny and more.

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