The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy announced a breakthrough change in the social welfare system, which thousands of Polish families were waiting for. As announced, Underage household members will no longer be charged with the costs of their loved ones staying in welfare homes (DPS). This is the end of a controversial practice that over the years led to individual drama and was a origin of tremendous stress for the youngest.
Until now, the existing rules have allowed municipalities to direct calls for payment to all the descendents, including children and grandchildren, who are in the care facility. In practice, this meant that minors, frequently in financial difficulties and without any contact with their relatives, could be held financially responsible. The fresh regulation is intended to put an end to this erstwhile and for all by introducing clear and fair rules that defend the child's welfare.
No more officials' discretion. The old strategy was a trap.
The current strategy of DPS fees has been controversial and has been criticised respective times by experts and state institutions. A key problem was the deficiency of precise guidance, leading to a situation where the child's destiny depended mostly on individual explanation of the rules by an worker of a social assistance centre. It was the authoritative who decided whether to release a insignificant from the fee, which provided a field of discretion and deficiency of transparency.
This problem has been highlighted for years by the Spokeswoman for the Rights of the Child, informing that the applicable law is unfair and does not defend the youngest. In many cases, the municipalities automatically directed calls for payment to all the downstream, without analyzing their life situation, age or actual relation with the individual placed in the DPS. This resulted in absurd situations where the kid became a debtor of the municipality due to the cost of caring for the parent or grandpa with whom he did not keep in contact.
Such a plan of the government was a legal and financial trap. Families who were unaware of the anticipation of recourse to decisions or had no means of legal assistance frequently had to face the burden of unfair debt. The amendment is intended to destruct this strategy error.
New backing rules. Who's going to pay to be on DPS now?
The change announced by the Ministry of the household introduces a fundamental principle: only adult household members will bear financial work for their close stay in DPS. This means that the municipalities will no longer be able to address claims for payment to persons under 18. This is simply a circumstantial evidence to defend children and young people from financial consequences that they have no influence on.
The fresh rules are besides intended to address another disputed issues. 1 of the key changes is to clarify work erstwhile it is concluded Lifetime contract. If a individual has accepted a property (e.g. an flat or house) in exchange for an work to care for a senior, he or she will first be required to pay the costs of his or her stay at the facility. This will prevent further relatives who were not a organization to specified a contract from being unduly charged financially.
These changes make a more logical and equitable hierarchy of commitments. In the first place, the costs are borne by the DPS resident (if his income allows), then the spouse and the delinquents (children, grandchildren), but already only adults. Finally, preliminaries (parents) are required to pay.
Relief and bitterness of Poles. What do experts say?
Information about the planned changes sparked a wave of comments on social media. The voices of relief and satisfaction dominate. Many Poles mention to this decision as “the triumph of common sense” and “the long-awaited end of absurdity”. For thousands of families, it's a real aid and a image of a immense intellectual and financial burden.
At the same time, there are bitter voices and questions about the past. “Why is the apparent change only coming now?” net users ask. Many people wonder how many families have had to deal with unfair fees over the years and whether the State envisages any form of compensation for those who have already paid. These questions stay unanswered for now, but show the social scale of the problem.
Social policy experts clearly welcome the amendment. They stress that this is 1 of the most crucial changes in the social assistance strategy of fresh years. It changes not only the backing rules but besides the way in which work for loved ones is perceived, moving the accent from the callousness of the authoritative to an simple sense of justice.
Is this the beginning of a major social welfare reform?
Although this decision concerns a very circumstantial issue, its importance is much wider. It is simply a signal that the government sees the request to adapt regulations to the realities of life, not just rigid adherence to statutory provisions. This may be the first step towards a more orderly social welfare law, which has been in uncertainty in many areas for years and leads to household drama.
The household ministry announces further public consultation on the matter, suggesting that the final form of the bill may inactive include additional votes and demands. 1 thing is certain: the subject of social assistance home fees, which has been marginalised for years, has one more time been at the centre of public debate. This proves how crucial this is for the safety and stableness of Polish families.
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The government has decided. No more DPS fees for children and grandchildren!
