Rehabilitation benefit
Benefit from ZUS for people who have exhausted 182 days of sickness benefit and whose ZUS medical examiner determined that their health prognosis predicts return to work within 12 months. Unlike the disability pension — this is a temporary benefit covering the rehabilitation period.
Check all benefits →Who is entitled to the rehabilitation benefit?
- People who have exhausted the sickness benefit (182 days per year, 270 for tuberculosis or pregnancy)
- Holders of a ZUS medical examiner's ruling on the relevance of the rehabilitation benefit
- Medical prognosis predicts return to work within 12 months
- Insured (employment contract or self-employment with voluntary sickness insurance) — analogous to the sickness benefit
IMPORTANT: rehabilitation benefit ≠ training pension ≠ disability pension. Training pension (art. 60 of FUS) = vocational retraining; FUS pension = permanent disability. The rehabilitation benefit is TEMPORARY support during medical rehabilitation (up to 12 months, prognosis of return to work).
How to receive the benefit?
Step 1: form ZUS Np-7
At the latest 6 weeks before the end of the 182 days of sickness benefit, submit form ZUS Np-7 + the OL-9 health certificate issued by the attending physician (no older than 1 month).
Step 2: ZUS medical examiner ruling
The ZUS medical examiner assesses whether the prognosis predicts return to work within 12 months. A physical examiner visit is required (may be remote in exceptional cases).
Step 3: ZUS decision
After a positive ruling, ZUS grants the benefit for the period specified by the examiner (typically 3-6 months with possible extension, up to a maximum of 12 months total).
After 12 months are exhausted
If you have not regained the ability to work — you can apply for the disability pension (a decision after a new ruling).
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the rehabilitation benefit in 2026?
- 90% of the basis of assessment of the sickness benefit for the first 90 days, 75% for subsequent days (art. 19 sect. 1 of the Act). Maximum total period: 12 months. The exact amount depends on the wages of the 12 months preceding the illness.
- What distinguishes the rehabilitation benefit from the FUS disability pension?
- The rehabilitation benefit is TEMPORARY (up to 12 months, prognosis of return to work). The disability pension from FUS is granted when the incapacity is permanent or chronic. The rehabilitation benefit often precedes a disability pension application if the rehabilitation doesn't yield results.
- Can I work while receiving the benefit?
- No. The rehabilitation benefit precludes gainful employment (art. 17 of the Act — applied accordingly). You may, however, participate in a medical rehabilitation programme financed by ZUS.
- What if ZUS refuses to grant the benefit?
- You can appeal the decision to the labour and social-insurance court within 1 month of receiving the decision. In practice: first check whether all the conditions are met (OL-9 ruling, medical documentation, timely application).
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