In 2016, vast majority of public debate was dedicated to the Family 500+ programme. Its introduction, already at the announcement stage, has evoked many emotions.

– The opposition and part of the media announced jointly that “500+” will be allocated to the pathologic families, which will spend money on alcohol and other drugs rather than for their children. These visions were full of contempt for the Polish families, including in particular numerous, that could not rely on any state support never before. We changed it. We proved that “impossible” is actually possible, if you do it wisely. We restored dignity to the families. The Poles trusted us during the 2015 elections, while we trusted them by paying the care benefit under the programme directly to the parents – rather in the form of vouchers or services.  We were not disappointed – says the Minister of Family and Social Policy, Marlena Maląg.

PLN 223 billion for families with children

– The Family 500+ programme is more than PLN 220 billion from its launching in 2016. This money formed an actual and measurable support for the Polish families within the last 7 years. Today, this benefit is allocated to more than 7 million of children – recites Minister Maląg.

In the difficult times of pandemic and nowadays the war in Ukraine and the resulting inflation, the care benefit acts as a specific safety guarantee. These funds will be paid regardless of circumstances.

What’s important, in contrary to certain “doubts” of the programme opponents, additional money for the families have had no negative impact on the labour market and resulted in no mass withdrawal of women from work. Far from it, the employment rate for women with children continues to grow. In 2021, this rate was 72.4 percent for women with one child, 70.5 percent with two children and 57.1 percent for women with three or more children.

Better financial condition of families with children

The Family 500+ programme has significantly contributed to the improved financial condition of families with children. The households are able to collect savings. In 2015-2021, the extreme poverty rate in children decreased by 4.2 percentage points. The highest drop in extreme poverty rate was recorded in numerous families – by 6 percentage points.

In addition, the average disposable monthly income per 1 person in households with at least 1 dependent child increased by 60 percent compared to 2015. For households with at least 3 children aged 0 -17 years, this income increased by 82 percent compared to 2015.

“We placed importance on families – and we keep to it”

– We have placed importance on families from the very beginning. This includes the legislation, financial support and favourable environment for the families. The environment, which is truly family-friendly. That is why we implemented another programmes, such as Good Start, Family Care Capital or co-financing of care in the nurseries. That is why we continuously implement and in this year even expand the Toddler+ programme, thanks to which the existing 230 thousand of places of care of children up to 3 years of age will be increased by 100 thousand new places in near future. That is why we also amend the Labour Code, introduce remote working and implement the EU directives aimed at improving the work-life balance and ensuring equal opportunities of women on the labour market. All these measures form a comprehensive family-friendly policy of our Government – says Minister Marlena Maląg.

The Head of the Ministry of Family and Social Policy notes that the expenditure allocated to support for the families from the beginning of the Law and Justice ruling amounted to nearly PLN 310 billion.