Maintenance. BIG InfoMonitor: maintenance debts currently amount to over PLN 16 billion

In a study conducted on behalf of BIG InfoMonitor in partnership with the Association for Our Children, over 1/3 of parents admitted that without the awarded alimony payments, they are forced to limit their expenses to be able to afford enough to live on for the family for the entire month. In turn, 7 percent indicated that despite spending money carefully, it was not enough for their daily expenses. “Even those who declare that their financial situation is not the worst (44 percent) must plan larger expenses in advance. Only 13 percent of families who do not need maintenance do not have to save on a daily basis,” we read in the research report.

Calculations by the authors of the publication show that the average debt of one non-paying parent exceeds PLN 55,000. PLN, the highest in the Masovian Voivodeship, where it amounts to PLN 62,770. Non-payers from Małopolska are in second place – PLN 58,846, and residents of Pomerania are in third place – PLN 58,811. However, parents from the Lubuskie Voivodeship – PLN 47,364 on average, the Silesian Voivodeship – PLN 48,322 and the West Pomeranian Voivodeship – PLN 50,492 are in arrears the least.

– Maintenance arrears are a serious social problem that requires systemic changes in the law. The lack of regular funds in this respect destabilizes the lives of many families, increasing economic inequalities – said Sławomir Grzelczak, president of BIG InfoMonitor. He believes that more effective mechanisms for enforcing alimony and support tools for injured caregivers and their wards are necessary. – Education is also needed to increase public awareness of the consequences of not paying alimony – he added.

The publication shows that 30 percent parents obliged to pay do not fulfill this obligation from the beginning, nearly 1/4 stop paying after a few months, and the majority “after some time”. What's worse, only 14 percent non-payers try to explain their behavior to the parent who is responsible for the care of the child or children.

In the study, as many as 79 percent guardians admitted that their children, deprived of child support, have worse educational conditions compared to their peers. E.g. 31 percent respondents revealed that their children do not attend additional classes, and 12 percent cannot afford possible tutoring (12%) and additional education (18%)

– Limited access to additional classes, tutoring or a wider educational offer leads to a situation in which children not only cannot fully realize their development potential, but may also feel inferior to their peers, which in turn affects their self-esteem and social development – said Justyna Żukowska, president of the Association for Our Children. She added that this can lead to frustration, low motivation to learn and emotional problems.

Support for families deprived of the alimony due to them were to be funds paid from the state budget under the Alimony Fund. Currently, the amount is PLN 500 per child, but in order to receive it, very strict conditions must be met. From October 1, the income threshold entitling to use the Alimony Fund is PLN 1,209.00 net per person in the household. This means that a parent of one child earning the lowest national salary (approximately PLN 3,261.53 net) will not receive support. No wonder that as many as 85 percent parents who have to support their children on their own believe that in the case of the Alimony Fund, there should be no such thing as an income threshold at all, and over 10% believe that it should be linked to minimum wage.

It was recalled that in the summer of this year the government announced that it planned to increase the maximum amount of benefit payments from the Alimony Fund from the current PLN 500 to PLN 1,000. “Even though parents evaluate this step positively, only 26 percent of those asked in a survey commissioned by BIG InfoMonitor believe that it will definitely improve their financial situation. Another 18 percent believe that the change will only slightly affect their budget. Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy announces that the changes will be introduced no later than 2025,” summarized the authors of the report.

CAWI study entitled “Alimony is a Polish shame” conducted on behalf of the BIG InfoMonitor Register of Debtors in cooperation with the Association for Our Children, September 2024.