Many Poles Could Claim 336 zł More Monthly — One Form Is Enough

29 May 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Many retirees may get an energy lump sum for veterans worth 336.16 zł monthly. File ZUS-ERK and you may also claim back payments.

Many Polish pensioners can claim the energy lump sum for veterans worth 336.16 zł per month. However, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) will not pay without a claim. Therefore a single form can unlock over 4,000 zł yearly for eligible people.

Table of Contents

Who qualifies for the energy lump sum for veterans

The benefit targets specific groups set by a 1991 law. First, combatants who hold a decision from the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression (UdSKiOR). Second, war invalids and military invalids who receive an invalidity pension. Third, widows and widowers of those veterans and invalids. Fourth, soldiers forced into substitute military work in mines and other harsh workplaces. Fifth, widows of such soldiers. In addition, the claim depends strictly on paperwork. Consequently, ZUS (the Social Insurance Institution) will deny claims without the right documents.

Why documentation matters and how to restore it

Applicants must show a UdSKiOR decision, a certificate from the Military Recruitment Centre, or official proof of widowhood. However, many older people lost or never received those papers. Therefore you should ask UdSKiOR or military archives to recreate files. Moreover, ZUS treats each case individually when documents arrive late.

Amounts, timing and back payments

The monthly rate rose to 336.16 zł from 312.71 zł from 1 March 2026. Moreover, the increase follows a different index than pensions. Consequently pensions rose by 5.3 percent in 2026, while this lump sum rose about 7.5 percent. The payment comes with the pension or disability payment. However, it pays only once per person even with multiple pensions. In addition, claimants can apply for arrears. ZUS examines such requests case by case. Therefore you may recover missed amounts going back several years if you prove entitlement.

How to apply and appeal

File form ZUS-ERK at any ZUS office, on zus.pl, or via the PUE ZUS online platform. However, farmers in the KRUS system use identical rules and file at KRUS offices. The institution has 30 days to decide after a complete submission. In addition, you may appeal a refusal to the labour and social insurance court. Therefore keep copies of all evidence and use Adobe Reader to fill the PDF. Moreover, do not submit via a browser PDF viewer to avoid technical errors.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you are an expat arranging care for a Polish relative, ask for their PESEL number (national ID number) and any ZUS documents. The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) handles payments and records. Moreover, UdSKiOR issues veteran decisions, and KRUS covers farmers. Therefore gather certified copies and contact local ZUS staff for help in English if needed.

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