Senate opting for a higher social benefits and support for people with disabilities

Increasing the social benefits and introducing special rights to the access to healthcare services, pharmaceutical services and medical devices for people with a significant degree of disability - is the effect of the adoption of the two Acts in this matter by the Senate.

After the adoption of the draft Act increasing the social benefits to the level of the lowest benefits for total incapacity for work by the Sejm on Wednesday, the Senate approved it today.

Significant increase in social benefits

As a result, the social benefits were increased from PLN 865.03 to PLN 1,029.80. In relation to the state after the increase from March last year it increased by 19%, and from 2015 - by 39.2%.

Payments together with compensation

The act increasing the social benefits passed by the Senate will go to be signed by the President. The new regulations will come into force on 1 September of this year with effect as of 1 1 June of this year. In practice, this means that the social benefits in an increased amount will be paid from September 1 this year with a three-month adjustment.

Special rights for people with a significant degree of disability

But that's not all. Today, the Senate adopted also the Act introducing special rights in access to healthcare services, pharmaceutical services and medical devices for people with severe disability.

Meeting the postulates of the protesters in the Sejm

The Act on the support for persons with a significant degree of disability meets one of the postulates of protesters in the Sejm. It provides e.g. for the abolition of periods of use of medical devices (such as wheelchairs). It also assumes the elimination of NFZ funding limits for medical rehabilitation services provided to persons with a significant degree of disability - for this purpose a regulation analogous to the provision abolishing the limit of financing for treatment and oncological diagnostics services shall be introduced, i.e. allowing for the change of contracts concluded by the NFZ with medical facilities.

Diverse needs of persons with disabilities

As the Government Plenipotentiary for Disabled People, Krzysztof Michałkiewicz noted, the most urgent needs of people with disabilities include: access to medical services and rehabilitation as well as health security. Deputy Minister Krzysztof Michałkiewicz pointed out that the needs of people with severe disabilities are quite diverse.

No queues to the doctor and at the pharmacy

Thanks to the adoption of the new law, persons with a severe disability certificate will also have the right to use health services immediately. They may also make use of pharmaceutical services in pharmacies without queues.

No referral to a specialist

This group of disabled people is also required to take advantage of specialised services without having to obtain referrals.

The draft act on specific solutions for persons with a significant degree of disability was submitted to the Sejm by PiS deputies. Thanks to the adoption of the act by both chambers of the Parliament, the bill will now be referred for the President's signature. The new solutions are to enter into force as soon as from 1 July of this year.