The Seimas of Poland voted for changes to the special law on assistance to Ukrainians fleeing the war in Ukraine on the territory of the Republic of Poland.
They envisage, in particular, the introduction of own participation in paying for accommodation, as well as the limitation of social benefits in the event of departure of Ukrainians from Poland, reports "Ukrinform"
429 members of the Seimas voted for the adoption of the changes, nine were against, and 13 abstained.
The law provides that Ukrainians will be able to live in temporary accommodation for free only in the first 120 days from the moment of their first arrival in Poland. After that, Ukrainians will pay for living in such places. According to the changes, citizens of Ukraine who live in such places in Poland for more than 120 days will be forced to pay 2023% of their own maintenance costs from March 50, but no more than 40 zlotys per day (over UAH 300).
Now, from May next year, they will need to cover 75% of living costs, but no more than 60 zlotys per day (500 UAH). At the same time, this does not apply to vulnerable categories: the disabled, people of retirement age, pregnant women, women with children under one year old, women with three children and more people in a difficult situation. They will continue to live in such places for free. Today, about 80 Ukrainian citizens live in group places of temporary accommodation in Poland.
Other changes provide for the freezing of social assistance payments to citizens of Ukraine at the time of departure from Poland. This provision will mean that if someone leaves Poland every time, the social assistance paid by the communes (administrative unit of Poland) or ZUS will be frozen. If the stay outside of Poland will be more than 30 days, the citizen of Ukraine will lose the granted status, thus losing the right to social assistance. Social status can be restored if a Ukrainian flees the war in Ukraine again as a result of hostilities on the territory of the country.
Amendments to the law provide for the recognition in Poland of the electronic document available in the Diia.pl application (equivalent to the Polish mObywatel document) as a document for legal stay in the Republic of Poland for refugees from the war in Ukraine. This document, together with a travel document, will give a citizen of Ukraine the right to cross the border multiple times without the need to obtain a visa.
From April 1, 2023, Ukrainians will still be able to apply for a temporary residence permit in Poland if they have found employment or opened their own business here.
Changes to the special law on assistance to Ukrainians will be sent to the Senate of Poland for consideration. It is expected to enter into force on January 1, 2023.
