The issue concerns cases where spouses separate. When they share child custody equally, the 800 Plus benefit is automatically divided in half. One portion then goes to the mother's bank account, and the other to the father's.
800 Plus split in half
Information that in the event of parental separation the 800 Plus benefit can be split in half for both parents is not common. In fact, it is the opposite. Although it is in line with the program’s provisions, many people are surprised. And they shouldn’t be. Joint custody directly means that parents have equal rights to raise the child, duties, and also other related aspects, including the right to the 800 Plus benefit.
Media have described many cases where parents were surprised by losing part of the benefit. There are examples where, even after separation, the entire amount was paid to one parent’s account, despite joint custody. The portal Forsal described such a case. It involved a father who appealed the ZUS decision to the Provincial Administrative Court in Wrocław. In this case, the man informed the office of the separation and joint custody of the child. He added that the entire benefit amount was to be used for the child’s needs, and that all spent money was to be settled with his former wife. The officials, however, did not accept the man’s explanation and divided the 800 Plus benefit in half for both parents. That was not all. They also ordered the father to return half of the benefit received for the period since the separation. In this case, it was a few months. The man disagreed with the officials’ decision. His argument persuaded the Wrocław court, which decided that the entire benefit could still be paid to the father’s account, and it annulled the order to return half of the money for several months, which ZUS demanded.
This is just an example that indicates that there could be many more such cases in Poland. ZUS reminds that in the event of parental separation, each parent should report the fact to the office. For a new benefit period, parents who are no longer married must submit a separate 800 Plus application on a form called SW-R, indicating the division of child custody. With joint custody, they receive half of the benefit. For married couples, only one parent needs to submit the application.
New 800 Plus payment period
The 800 Plus benefit is paid monthly, but every year you must reapply for it. The government is working to make the application required only once, but for now parents must renew it annually.
The new 800 Plus payment period will start on 1 June 2026 and will last for 12 months. Parents who have not yet submitted an application can still do so and be sure they will not lose the right to the benefit. However, it will be paid with a delay. If the application reaches ZUS in June, the money will be paid in July along with the adjustment for June.
See also: 800 Plus is no longer for everyone. These are not the only restrictions that will come into effect next year
