In 2015, PLN 15.5 billion was allocated for supporting persons with disabilities, in 2022 it was more than PLN 37 billion. This is an increase by PLN 21.5 billion. This year, these expenditures will be even higher and will amount to about PLN 40 billion.

The Ministry of Family and Social Policy responds to the accusations appearing in the media as regards the state policy for persons with disabilities.

1. Persons with disabilities are not treated subjectively, but as wards.

It was the Law and Justice government that first made a fundamental change in the approach to the group of persons with disabilities. We are the second country in the world and the first one in Europe which adopted the Act on accessibility. It applies not only to architectural space, but also guarantees that all persons with disabilities are treated subjectively with the right to an independent and dignified life.

The result of joint work and dialogue with the environment of persons with disabilities was the creation of the Strategy for Persons with Disabilities, which determined the measures more extensive than just benefits themselves. The priority areas are: independent life, accessibility, education, work, living conditions and social protection, health, awareness building, coordination. Never before has any other government presented such a comprehensive strategy which restores the right of persons with disabilities to live independently.

2. The government disregards persons with disabilities, does not want to talk to protesters.

The government has never been closed to talking with the environment of persons with disabilities, this dialogue is conducted on a regular manner – another meeting planned for a long time will be held next week. All launched programmes were consulted with the environment of persons with disabilities. This is how the Strategy for Persons with Disabilities or the Solidarity Fund were created.

During Thursday’s meeting in the Sejm, the protesters accepted the invitation of the government plenipotentiary for disabled people, Paweł Wdówik, to the aforementioned meeting.

3. The social pension is too low and should be increased.

From 1 June 2018, the social pension has been increased and amounts to 100% of the amount of the lowest disability pension for total incapacity for work. The amount of the pension is subject to annual indexation.

• In 2015, the social pension amounted to PLN 739.58.
• From March 1, 2023, the social pension is PLN 1,588.44, which is nearly PLN 850 more than in 2015.

We would also like to remind that in the case of a simultaneous right to receive the social pension and the survivor’s pension, the amount of which does not exceed 200% of the amount of the lowest disability pension for total incapacity for work, a person has the right to both benefits – provided that the total amount does not exceed 200% of the amount of the lowest disability pension for total incapacity for work.

If this amount is exceeded (PLN 3,176.88 from 1 March 2023), the amount of social pension will be reduced. The amount of the reduced social pension may not be lower than 10% of the amount of the lowest disability pension for total incapacity for work (PLN 317.69).

One of the conditions for granting the right to receive the social pension is the ZUS medical examiner / ZUS medical commission’s decision on total incapacity for work due to physical/mental impairment, which arose:

• before the age of 18;
• during learning (also during holidays or dean’s leave):
• at school or university – before the age of 25,
• during studying at a doctoral school, doctoral studies or scientific postgraduate studies.

The objective of the benefit in the form of the social pension is to compensate for the inability to acquire the rights to receive benefits from the social insurance system, due to the fact that total incapacity for work arose before entering the labour market. This benefit is an expression of the state’s special concern for these persons.

4. Comprehensive solutions are not most important – the most important is ad hoc financial support.

Such measures led to the fact that in the field of supporting persons with disabilities and their families, we have such many years of neglect. There was no idea, strategy and will to take comprehensive measures. Nobody thought in the long term – meanwhile, ad hoc measures do not work in the long run and result in the absence of these funds.

Therefore, the Strategy for Persons with Disabilities for the years 2021-2030 has been developed, which is aimed at allowing persons with disabilities to live more independently and actively.

The Solidarity Fund has been launched, a completely new solution, which finances programmes enabling the provision of personal assistance and respite care services as well as the functioning of care and residential centres. These are solutions expected by the environment of persons with disabilities and their relatives.

• Personal assistance enables the more independent life of persons with disabilities. The budget of the 2023 edition is PLN 610 million in total (PLN 505 million for local government units and PLN 105 million for non-governmental organisations).
• Respite care is an opportunity for carers of persons with disabilities to take some rest, handle their maetters while their wards are in professional care. The budget of the 2023 edition is PLN 205 million (PLN 150 million for local government units and PLN 55 million for NGOs).
• Care and residential centres are an opportunity for persons with disabilities to live in conditions similar to home – with the support of professional staff. These centres offer the possibility of a daily or round-the-clock stay. Since the launch of the programme in 2019, 26 centres have been created in Poland. Currently, 102 Centres are recommended for co-financing. The total amount of co-financing granted is about PLN 309 million.

It is not true that the financial support is not implemented. From the funds of the Solidarity Fund, inter alia, a supplementary benefit for people unable to live independently is also paid. This benefit is addressed to people holding a certificate of total incapacity for work and independent existence. It is paid up to the amount of PLN 500 per month. Moreover:

• In 2018, the government decided to put the social pension on an equal footing with the amount of the lowest disability pension for total incapacity for work. In 2015, it amounted to PLN 739.58. Today, it is already PLN 1,588.44. 290.9 thousand persons receive this benefit.
• Since 2015, the care benefit has increased more than twice – from PLN 1,200 to PLN 2,458. Currently, about 215 thousand persons use this form of support.
• Carer’s allowance and special care allowance – both these benefits increased in November 2018 by PLN 100 to PLN 620. The special care allowance is received by 12,600 persons, and the carers’ allowance by 6 thousand persons.
• The care allowance in 2015 amounted to PLN 153. In November 2018, it was PLN 184.42, and from 1 November 2019, it is PLN 215.84 per month.

In addition, care services are also provided, inter alia, which support the family and are an element complementing the system. They are used annually by more than 100 thousand persons, including persons with disabilities. There are also 1,475 sheltered flats inhabited also by persons using social pensions and learning to live independently.