The minister called the measure a response to what he described as President Karol Nawrocki’s “unjustified and unwise” veto of an earlier law on temporary protection for Ukrainians.
He argued the new bill aims to prevent administrative disruption and possible costs to the state of up to PLN 8 billion (EUR 1.8 billion, USD 2.2 billion).
Under the proposal, payouts of family benefits would be linked to a beneficiary’s employment and, in the case of children, school attendance in Poland.
The draft covers three key programs: Family 800-plus, a monthly child benefit of PLN 800 per child; Good Start, a back-to-school allowance; and Active Parent, a parental benefit.
The rules would apply to all foreigners who are legally in Poland, regardless of nationality.
Caregivers of children with disabilities would be exempt from the employment requirement, subject to certification by Polish institutions.
The bill sets an income floor by requiring that to qualify foreigners must earn at least 50 percent of the minimum wage.
The government says will be PLN 2,333 gross per month in 2025.
The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), would verify employment status each month. If a person is not working in a given month, payments would be suspended.
ZUS would also check Border Guard records to confirm that beneficiaries remain in the country.
Eligibility would be limited to people with a PESEL, Poland’s national identification number.
Authorities would verify that children linked to applications actually reside in Poland and the government says the law would integrate databases across agencies to improve oversight and reduce abuse.
Kierwiński said on Tuesday the bill also preserves access to Poland’s labor market, schools and higher education for Ukrainians with temporary protection, an EU status that grants residence and basic services to people fleeing the war.
The draft introduces limits on some healthcare entitlements for adult Ukrainian citizens, including selected rehabilitation, dental services and medicine programs, while maintaining core coverage.
The government plans to fast-track the legislation through parliament, and send it quickly to President Karol Nawrocki for signature.
Kierwiński urged Nawrocki to reconsider his earlier veto, saying the new framework is comprehensive and designed to close gaps in the system.
If enacted, most provisions would take effect the day after publication in the Journal of Laws, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP