EN
The paper presents changes in the solutions of unemployment benefit, introduced in Poland in the years 1990-2013. The author has also undertaken an attempt at determining the influence of these changes on the realization of the income and motivation function of this allowance. As it results from the analysis carried out, in the study period a gradual tightening of the conditions of qualification for the benefit as well as principles for granting the allowance were observed. Consecutive legal regulations led to a limitation in the income function of the benefit and an increase in its motivation function.