President signs 500+ program

President Andrzej Duda signed the 500+ benefit program on Wednesday. "This is a very happy day for me. For the first time since 1989 a legislative process has been concluded which is aimed at supporting those who are the most important - families with children. ... The law will result in poverty falling by 11 percent," the president said. Under the program, the government plans to hand 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. It is set to be introduced in April 2016. The sum is aimed at all parents, including single parents and is not subject to taxes.