800+ for Ukrainians: ZUS is behind with decisions — what is known and what to do

The new rules for paying 800+ to Ukrainians from 2026 made many people file applications again, and ZUS had to check legality of residence, workplace and the child's schooling. The result: a queue. What is known about the delays, why they occur and how to behave if your application "hangs" we tell from open data as of 22 October 2026. We found no news on figures from recent weeks, so we give the latest confirmed ones.

What is known about the scale

According to press reports, by the beginning of May 2026 ZUS had examined about 62.7 thousand applications, of which over 12.5 thousand were rejected and 50.5 thousand benefits were granted. At that time over 50 thousand Ukrainian families had not received a decision. In June, according to a parliamentary question, ZUS had examined less than half of the 117.5 thousand applications filed. The new rules concern about 150 thousand people who had to file again and meet the condition of professional activity. These figures were current in spring and summer, so now they should be regarded as a guide, not the current state.

Why decisions are delayed

• New conditions. For Ukrainians the application requires confirmation of lawful residence, the parents' employment or business and the child's attendance at school or kindergarten in Poland.
• Checking data in registers. Officials compare PESEL, workplace, contributions and school data, and discrepancies give separate queries.
• The volume. Many applications were filed in a short time while staff and time are short.
• Errors in applications. Wrong data or incomplete documents delay examination.

What about the "must work" condition

According to government pages, from 1 February 2026 a requirement of economic activity applies to Ukrainians with UKR status: an employment contract, a contract of mandate, own business, and also unemployment benefit or a stipend for study. Parents of children with disabilities are exempt. A minimum level of contributions was also named: a pension-insurance base of at least 50% of the minimum wage. We wrote about this in more detail in a separate article on 800+.

How to check what is happening with your application

1. Log into your ZUS account (PUE ZUS) or the service through which you filed and look at the status.
2. Look through your mail and messages: there may be a request to supplement documents.
3. Check the data: the child's PESEL, the basis of residence, the account for payments.
4. If there is no decision for a long time, write to a ZUS branch with the application number and the filing date.

What to do if you wait long

• Keep confirmation of filing: the filing date determines from which month the payment will be counted.
• Do not file a new application without need: repeat applications may complicate examination. Ask ZUS whether a new one is needed.
• Collect documents: a certificate of work, a contract, confirmation that the child is studying.
• Do not believe intermediaries who promise to "speed up" examination for money: ZUS does not do this for a fee.

If refused

Read the reasons carefully. Often the cause is technical: a data mismatch, no confirmation of work or study. The decision states how to appeal and by when, usually a short time from delivery, so do not delay. Sometimes it is simpler to correct the error and file a new application, but it is better to clarify this with ZUS or a lawyer.

What else to know

Both payments and work terms depend on the basis of residence. Those preparing to move to CUKR will find it useful to reread our news item on deadlines: until 4 March 2027. Also look at vacancies for families and vacancies for Ukrainians, where employers understand parents' needs and offer legal work that counts for the economic activity condition.

Useful Polish words

• świadczenie wychowawcze (800+) — the child-raising benefit.
• wniosek — an application; odmowa — a refusal.
• aktywność zawodowa — professional activity.
• decyzja — a decision.

A phrase for a query: Proszę o informację o stanie mojego wniosku o 800 plus. — "Please inform me of the state of my 800 plus application".

Summary

Delays with 800+ for Ukrainians are linked to new conditions and mass checking, and tens of thousands of families are waiting for decisions. Keep confirmation of filing, check the status and answer ZUS requests on time. The information is based on press publications and official announcements as of 22 October 2026 and may change: check it against the ZUS site and government pages.