Almost PLN 9.3 bln paid out under 500+ program

The Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Policy informed that parents and legal guardians have submitted a total of 2.7 million applications under the Family 500+ child welfare program and about PLN 9.27 billion has been paid out as of August 31. The government assumes to spend as much as PLN 17 billion on the program in 2016. In August, the head of the standing committee Henryk Kowalczyk said that the government is currently PLN 5 billion short to finance its flagship Family 500+ child benefit program  in 2017. The Family 500+ scheme is a child benefit program from the Polish government. Under the program, the government hands out PLN 500 per month for every child in a family whose per capita income is lower than PLN 800 per month and for every second and subsequent child, regardless of family income. The sum is aimed at all parents, including single parents, and is not subject to taxes.