The shield allowance is intended to support Poles in the fight against rampant inflation. Thanks to subsidies from the state budget, households are expected to be less affected by significant increases in energy and heating prices. Who can count on the support? How much is the shield allowance in 2022? Where and when can applications be submitted?
Inflation in Poland 2022
Inflation in Poland last December already reached 8.6 percent. Energy, gas and fuel prices have risen the most, and so have the prices of food and many consumer goods. According to bank analysts’ estimates, however, the price rise is not over yet, and we may not see a peak in inflation of 9.4-9.5 percent year-on-year until April 2022.
It is worth noting that December’s inflation readings, which were recently confirmed by the Central Statistical Office, were the highest in 21 years. This, in turn, prompted those in power as late as the autumn of 2021 to launch shield measures aimed at slowing price increases and “relieving” Poles.
Anti-inflation shield and shield allowance
The first package of shielding measures appeared just before the end of last year, and the authorities themselves called it the anti-inflation shield. In its assumptions, it aims to reduce the prices of, among other things, energy, fuel, gas, and, ultimately, savings in public administration. As it was developed before the December inflation reading, it proved insufficient, and those in power began preparing an anti-inflation shield 2.0. This one augments the shield package with, among other things, zero VAT on food and gas, and extends some of the solutions included in the first version of the shield.
In addition to tax cuts or the introduction of zero VAT on food, the anti-inflation shield 1.0 also introduced a shield supplement, which is expected to cover several million Poles. A specific subsidy for energy or heating is due to start any moment, but not everyone will receive it, as we will discuss later in the post.
How much is the shield allowance and who can receive it?
The shield ing allowance is supposed to compensate Poles for the huge increases in electricity, gas and fuel prices, and is based on the fact that the state budget will pay eligible households a one-time benefit.
Theamount of the shield allowance depends on the number of people in the household, income, and what type of heating is used in the household. The one-time compensation benefit is to be received primarily by the poorest families, but in practice it will go to millions of Poles.
For households using coal to heat their homes, the shield allowance is:
- PLN 500 per year for single-person households with incomes up to PLN 2,100 per month;
- 750 PLN per year for 2-3 person households with incomes up to PLN 1500 per person per month;
- PLN 1062.5 per year for 4-5 person households with incomes up to PLN 1500 per person per month;
- PLN 1437.5 per year for households of 6. persons and more with incomes up to PLN 1500 per person per month.
When the house is not heated with coal, the shield allowance is for:
- PLN 400 per year for single-person households with incomes up to PLN 2,100 per month;
- 600 zlotys per year for 2-3 person households with incomes up to 1,500 zlotys per person per month;
- 850 zloty per year for 4-5 person households with incomes up to 1,500 zloty per person per month;
- PLN 1150 per year for households of 6. persons and more with incomes up to PLN 1500 per person per month.
Where to apply for a cover allowance?
You can apply for a shelter allowance at a municipality or city office, since local governments are responsible for paying it. According to information recently provided by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the payment of the shielding allowance is to be divided into two tranches. The first is to hit the accounts of Poles by March 31, the second by December 31, 2022.
The application for the payment of the shielding allowance should be submitted in writing or electronically, but in this situation it must be accompanied by a qualified signature or authenticated with a trusted profile.
At the same time, the Ministry of Climate and Environment adds that the application for the shielding allowance can also be submitted via e-PUAP. The possibility of submitting applications via the empathy platform is also under consideration.
Shelter allowance and renting an apartment / house
People who rent an apartment or house can also file for a shielding allowance benefit. These doubts were recently resolved by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, which comprehensively answered the questions raised.
“Renting an apartment (paid, unpaid) does not exclude the possibility of applying for a shelter allowance in a given municipality in the event that living in a rented apartment in a given municipality involves meeting the daily living needs of the person in the apartment actually occupied, which is the center of home life at a given time, in particular, sleeping, dining and resting after work or study.”
Go to the OKBR homepage.
