Poland to spend PLN 23.1 bln on 500+ program this year

Polish government will spend PLN 23.1 billion on the Family 500+ program this year, Government Information Center said. Last year, the program cost PLN 17 billion since its launch in April. The PLN 23 billion figure has been reserved in the budget draft for this year. Overall, on the pro-family policies, the government will spend PLN 59 billion this year. 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. Some 3.8 Polish children receive benefits from the program.