The social insurance system will see a number of changes regarding sickness and maternity benefits from January 1, 2022. These changes result from the amendment to the Act on Cash Benefits from Social Insurance in the Event of Sickness and Maternity of June 25, 1999. These changes include:

1. Sickness insurance for individuals covered by voluntary insurance (primarily entrepreneurs) will not cease due to late payment of contributions. In practice, this means that self-employed individuals will be able to receive sickness insurance benefits if contributions are paid late.
2. If a person covered by voluntary sickness insurance becomes unable to work while in arrears of contributions exceeding 1% of the minimum wage, they will not lose their right to benefits if they settle the arrears within six months of the date the right arose. However, the benefit will likely be paid only after the arrears have been repaid.
3. Another new feature will be the method of calculating the benefit assessment basis - if there was no break between the periods of receiving benefits (of the same or different type) or if the break was shorter than a calendar month, it will not be possible to calculate the benefit assessment basis anew.
4. Another huge change is the increase in the amount of the monthly sickness benefit for a hospitalized person - regardless of whether the person is at home or in hospital, the benefit will amount to 80% of the benefit calculation basis.
5. If an insured woman gives birth to a child after her sickness insurance coverage ends during pregnancy due to her employer's death, bankruptcy, or liquidation, she will be entitled to maternity benefits. However, if her employment contract expires during pregnancy for the above reasons (and she is not provided with alternative employment), she will be entitled to maternity benefits until the day of delivery.
6. ZUS will be authorized to obtain data and information necessary to determine eligibility for benefits, their amounts, the calculation basis, and their payment. Insured individuals and contribution payers will be obligated to provide all of the above data free of charge.
7. With a few exceptions, mainly relating to pregnant women and people whose incapacity for work is caused by tuberculosis, sickness benefit will be payable for a period of incapacity for work or inability to perform work, treated under the Act on cash benefits from social insurance in the event of sickness and maternity as incapacity for work occurring after the termination of sickness insurance entitlement, for no longer than 91 days .

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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