Everyday amenities

The basic tools dedicated to people with disabilities include additional benefits. The first of them is the care allowance for parents of children under 18, which is available to insured guardians dismissed from work, due to the need to take care of a child. This applies when the facility the child attends - a crèche, kindergarten or school - remains closed. The second kind of support is intended for caregivers of adults with disabilities, in the case of the shutdown of rehabilitation and educational centre, support centres or day-care centres which the person attended. It is worth noting that the integration benefits, which are paid to participants of classes in Social Integration Centres and Clubs, have not changed.

Another important issue for people with disabilities concerns certifications, and several amenities were introduced in this area – the possibility of issuing a disability certificate without a direct examination and the temporary renewal of disability certificates, disability status certificates, entitlements and benefit payments- - this applies to the majority of certificates issued for a fixed period of time. The validity of other documents, such as war (military) disability certificates, identity cards issued to victims of repressions, as well as pensioner identity cards, identity cards of persons with disabilities as well as parking cards has also been extended.

Additional programmes and funding

Thanks to the new “Assistance to Persons with Disabilities Affected by Natural Disasters or Crisis Situations Caused by Infectious Diseases” programme introduced by the State Fund for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People, persons who took advantage of rehabilitation classes conducted in institutions whose activities have been suspended due to the risk posed by the coronavirus can apply for financial support. The allowance amounts to 500 PLN per month.

The second innovation concerns a video help line, which was launched by the Ignacy Łukasiewicz PGNiG Foundation and the Polish Association of the Deaf. The tool was developed under the Accessibility Plus programme, and it is dedicated to d/Deaf people who need information in connection with the COVID-19 epidemic. It can be used through popular instant messengers and through the online sign language interpreter application. The tool is available 24/7.

Financing for facilities

The State Fund for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People also finances participation in Occupational Therapy Workshops and other available forms of activities. In spite of the fact that its activities were suspended, thanks to the provisions of the Anti-Crisis Shield Act, the benefits are still paid out. The Community Self-Help Homes, Self-Help Clubs, Social Integration Centres and Social Integration Clubs have also suspended their activities. For the time being, their subsidies are still paid out. On the other hand, Vocational Rehabilitation Units receive compensation for the wages paid to their employees with disabilities.

Increased base amount and bonuses for persons with special conditions - a positive change, extending beyond the epidemic

It is very important not only from the point of view of people with disabilities, but also from the point of view of the employers who employ them, to increase the base amount of the subsidy for salaries of people with disabilities. This was made possible by the recent amendment to the Act on Vocational and Social Rehabilitation and Employment of People with Disabilities in the new Anti-Crisis Shield.