New energy allowance from the state: 600 PLN per period for families – is that adequate to cover rising energy costs?

Faced with rapidly rising electricity prices, the Polish government introduces new energy supplement, to assist households in covering electricity costs. However, whether offered 600 PLN per month will it actually compensate for the financial burden of the energy bills?

Who can number on an energy allowance?

The support strategy is aimed at households that meet certain income criteria. Income thresholds are set at:

• 2 800 PLN per month for single-person holdings,
• PLN 2 000 per person on multi-seat farms.

It is worth noting that income for 2024 or, alternatively, 2023 is taken into account if the threshold was exceeded in 2024. cityturn0search3

Amount of benefit according to number of persons on the holding

The amount of the allowance depends on the number of persons in the household:

• 600 zł for single-person holdings,
• 800 zł for households of 2-3 persons,
• PLN 1,000 for farms of 4-5 persons,
• PLN 1 200 for holdings of 6 or more persons. citeturn0search1

Double support for heating electrical homes

New in 2025 is additional support for households that heat their homes with electricity. For users heat pumps, Accumulation furnaces and another electrical heating systems, the amount of the energy voucher will be increased by 100%. This means that benefits will be:

• PLN 1 200 for single-person holdings,
• PLN 1 600 for households of 2-3 persons,
• PLN 2 000 for farms of 4-5 persons,
• 2 400 PLN for holdings of 6 or more persons. citeturn0search1

Application procedure and time limits

Applications for an energy voucher could be submitted from 1 August to 30 September 2024. The municipality that receives the notification has 60 days for consideration. Payments of energy certificates are planned for End of 2025. cityturn0search3

Additional support for people with disabilities

In addition to the energy voucher, it is besides possible to get additional electricity surcharge for persons with a disability ruling who are under the care of a home long-term care squad or benefit from oxygen treatment at home. The amount of this support is PLN 100 per monthand the refund period may not exceed 6 months (total 600 zł) and shorter than 3 months (total 300 zł).

Although the amount 600 PLN per month it seems significant, it is worth considering whether it is adequate in the face of rapidly rising energy prices. In fresh years we have seen a steady increase in electricity costs, which makes energy bills a increasing burden on home budgets.

Examples of electricity bills in Poland

To better illustrate the situation, let us look at examples of electricity bills in Poland:

• Single-person holding: average energy consumption is around 1 500 kWh per year, which translates into yearly cost at current rates PLN 1 200. Monthly gives it about PLN 100.
• Farm 2-3 persons: average energy consumption is about 2 500 kWh per yearwhich corresponds to the yearly cost of about PLN 2 000. Monthly is about PLN 167.
• Farm of 4-5 persons: energy consumption at level 3 500 kWh per year translates into an yearly cost of about 2 800 PLN, which is 233 PLN per month.
• Farm 6 or more: energy consumption can be even 5 000 kWh per year, which gives the yearly cost around PLN 4,000, which is PLN 333 per month.

Analysis of the efficiency of the energy additive

Given the above, it can be noted that the standard energy allowance covers most of the monthly costs associated with electricity consumption in the average household. However, for households utilizing electrical heating, where energy consumption is importantly higher, even a doubled allowance may not be adequate to cover all costs.

Example: 4-5 people utilizing electrical heating can consume even 10 000 kWh per yearwhich translates into an yearly cost of around PLN 8,000 (at a rate of 0,80 PLN/kWh). Monthly PLN 666, while the maximum additive is PLN 2 000 per year, which is PLN 166 per month. This means that the household inactive needs to cover 500 PLN per month from my own resources.