The Good Start programme is an investment in the education of Polish children. The aim of the programme is to provide equal educational opportunities and support families as the new school year begins. The Good Start programme benefit is available to every pupil and student, regardless of family income. 

The Social Insurance Institution started accepting applications for the new school year 2025/2026 on 1 July 2025. They can be submitted until 30 November 2025. 

Parents or guardians are entitled to annual support of 300 zlotys for each child studying at school until the age of 20, or until the age of 24 in the case of children with disabilities. 

To receive the support, an application must be submitted. This can be done by the child's mother, father, legal guardian or de facto guardian, foster parent, person in charge of the child's home or the director of the foster care institution. Adult male and female students can also apply if they are former wards of foster care institutions or are not supported by their parents. 

Applications for the support payments from the Good Start programme can only be made electronically. The benefit is paid to the designated bank account. The application for the 2025/2026 school year must be submitted to the Social Insurance Institution between 1 July and 30 November 2025. You can apply in a similar way as in the Family 800+ programme: 

• via eZUS (ZUS Electronic Services Platform) or the mZUS application, 

• on Empatia.gov.pl, 

• in your electronic banking account.  

If you apply in July or August, you will receive the benefit in September at the latest. For applications submitted between September and November, the ZUS will pay the benefit within 2 months. 

If you would like to find out more about the Good Start programme or have questions, take a look at our page with detailed information about the programme. On the ZUS website you will also find additional information on the application rules.