System of assistance for disabled persons

The system of support for disabled people and their families will be based on three pillars. The first pillar consists of a solidarity support fund for people with disabilities. The second pillar is the social responsibility package, and the third - the "Accessibility +" programme - explained Minister Elżbieta Rafalska during the presentation of new solutions, together with the Minister of Finance Teresa Czerwińska.

The support system for disabled people and their families will be based on three pillars - explained Minister Elżbieta Rafalska during a press conference. These are: solidarity support fund for disabled people, social responsibility package and the "Accessibility +" programme.

- "We have presented a very wide offer. Our proposals go far beyond the postulates of protesters in the Sejm," said Minister Rafalska.  

Two sources of financing

The support fund for disabled people will be supplied from two sources - from the part of the contribution paid from wages to the Labour Fund and the solidarity contribution.

The contribution paid by employers from wages and salaries amounts to 2.45%. After the changes, the premium will be collected in the same amount, with 2.30% going directly to counteract unemployment and 0.15% to support the disabled. This way, assistance for disabled persons will increase by PLN 650 million annually.

The disabled persons support fund will, however, be funded primarily from the solidarity contributions. These will be paid every year by those natural persons whose income in a given tax year exceeds PLN 1 million (approximately PLN 87 thousand per month). The amount of the solidarity contribution will be 4% of the excess of this amount. For the first time, the contribution will be paid by richest taxpayers on their income in 2019. As a result, in 2020, PLN 1.15 billion will go to the disabled people support fund. Together with part of the contribution for the labour fund, the government will allocate PLN 1.8 billion as part of the disabled people support fund.

- "We are preparing a regulation that will establish a Solidarity Support Fund for the Disabled. Our task is to prepare the financing of this fund, i.e. the implementation of the principle of social solidarity, where the strongest and wealthiest people support those most in need "- said Finance Minister Teresa Czerwińska.

It is worth noting that such solidarity contribution, earmarked for specific purposes, functions in many European countries. For example Germany and Spain.

Extensive consultations with disabled persons

The head of the Ministry of the Family, Labour and Social Policy stressed that the hierarchy of the importance of goals for which money from the solidarity support fund will be allocated will be consulted with the representation of disabled people, that is foundations, associations and other entities that work for disabled people.

- "Today's offer includes detailed solutions that will respond to the needs of disabled people and their caretakers during the consultation" - said Minister Elżbieta Rafalska.

This is another action directed at people with disabilities

The head of the Ministry of the Family, Labour and Social Policy noted that the new solutions presented today are another government action for disabled people.

- "A few days ago, the parliament passed two important laws. Mr. President quickly signed them. Thanks to this, social benefits were increased to the level of the lowest benefits relating to complete inability to work, which was advocated by disabled persons in 2014. And in the case of persons with a significant degree of disability, we have also introduced special rights regarding the access to healthcare services, pharmaceutical services and medical devices" explained Minister Rafalska.