Don't make them hostages! What do the statements in Poland about limiting aid to Ukrainians signify?

Ukrainians who have sought refuge from the war in Poland may be deprived of the 800+ benefits and free medical assistance. However, this applies only to those citizens who are officially unemployed. Corresponding legislative initiatives have been registered in the Sejm.

"Telegraph" explored why such an initiative has emerged and how representatives from the public sector, Ukrainian lawmakers, and Polish citizens are responding.

Conditions – School Attendance and Official Employment

In Poland, which has been providing various support to fleeing Ukrainians since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, restrictions have gradually started to be implemented. For instance, last summer, a one-time payment of 300 zlotys upon first entry into the country was canceled, as was the "40+" program, which provided a daily compensation of 40 zlotys for accommodation and meals for refugees. This program was in effect for 120 days after arrival in Poland and was extended only for beneficiaries in special categories. Additionally, a requirement was introduced to receive assistance under the "Family 800+" program (800 zlotys per month for each child until they turn 18, regardless of family income) – mandatory attendance at kindergarten or school. This rule will come into effect in June 2025.

However, this was deemed insufficient, and new initiatives from Polish politicians regarding the reduction of aid emerged. These were discussed against the backdrop of the upcoming presidential election on May 18, 2025. In particular, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski — a candidate from the ruling "Civic Coalition" party — has emphasized during meetings with voters that fundamental changes in payments for Ukrainians are necessary. "Most Ukrainians in Poland work hard. They live here, pay taxes, and their children study in Polish schools. It is absolutely clear that they should receive the 800 plus. But those who do not work in Poland are not entitled to the 800 plus. This is just common sense. Someone just needed to say this out loud," Trzaskowski conveys this message on his social media as well.

Trzaskowski's idea has received support from representatives of various political forces, including the leader of the "Confederation" Slawomir Mentzen, as well as Trzaskowski's party mate and current Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He announced this on his X (Twitter) account. Meanwhile, the "Law and Justice" (PiS) party reminded that last year they had proposed to condition the 800+ payment not only on school attendance (this norm was agreed upon) but also on submitting an application for a residence card. However, this radical proposal did not pass, and among its opponents was the "Civic Coalition," which a year later came up with its own initiative to limit assistance to Ukrainians. Nonetheless, PiS decided to investigate whether the statements from political rivals were merely pre-election publicity and submitted a bill to the Sejm of Poland with amendments to restrict payments for those Ukrainians who are not working and not paying taxes.

Furthermore, deputies from the "Confederation" party proposed changes regarding access to free medical services for Ukrainian refugees to the Sejm. Currently, they have the same rights as Poles not only to emergency assistance but also to treatment for chronic diseases, preventive measures, etc. However, politicians want to abolish this norm for those who do not pay insurance contributions.

Income from the presence of Ukrainians exceeds expenses

In justifying selective assistance to Ukrainian refugees, supporters of such a step noted that Poland should not follow the path of neighboring Germany and Sweden. These countries are allegedly chosen as temporary havens due to the benefits of high social payments. For example, in 2024, according to a study by the German Ifo Institute, Ukrainians could expect an average of 960 euros per month (including unemployment benefits and housing rent compensation). In equivalent terms, this is 41,800 hryvnias, which, of course, cannot be compared to the 8,200 hryvnias (800 zlotys) offered in Poland. Moreover, statements from Polish politicians that Ukrainians "live on social benefits" seem particularly strange. This opinion is held, for instance, by Confederation leader Slawomir Mentzen.

Among the members of the Sejm, there are voices defending Ukrainians, acknowledging that a significant portion of refugees, namely nearly 80% of adult refugees, have quickly adapted, found jobs, or started their own businesses. This, in turn, contributes to the budget of the Republic of Poland. "Ukrainians today contribute to the growth of Poland's GDP by about 1% through consumption and work; in general, economists estimate that the income from their presence in Poland exceeds expenses borne by our budget by 5-10 billion," reports the Speaker of the Sejm, Shimon Hołownia, on his Facebook page. As the leader of the "Poland 2050" party, he also seeks the presidency.

Hołownia also emphasizes that since 2022, the number of Ukrainian children receiving payments under the 800+ program has already halved (from 500,000 to 250,000). The politician predicts that this figure will further decrease starting this summer when school attendance or kindergarten enrollment becomes mandatory to receive this type of assistance. He also noted that a minimal portion of refugees, primarily women with small children or sick family members in need of constant care, may remain unemployed in Poland. He would not want this category to become "a hostage of any electoral campaign."

Hołownia also pointed out that the system currently operates in a way to identify possible abuses or fraud in this matter. Opponents have claimed that some Ukrainians receive payments for children while not actually being in the country. In a conversation with "Telegraph", Ukrainians temporarily residing in Poland due to the war confirm that ZUS – the government agency administering social contributions and payments – is always vigilant. "On the same day you cross the border, when you, for example, go to Ukraine, you receive a letter warning you about the suspension of 800+ payments. If you return within 30 days, during which travel is allowed without losing status, payments automatically resume. There are cases when data exchange with border authorities fails, and then you have to obtain confirmation of your return dates from them and provide it to ZUS."

Regarding access to medical care, there are questions as well. It is known that waiting times for specialists in Poland can range from several days to several months.

Lawmakers plan to discuss restrictions with Polish colleagues

With outrage over the initiative from Polish politicians to limit assistance to Ukrainians, well-known activist Natalia Panchenko has spoken out in media and social networks. In her opinion, Rafal Trzaskowski's position reflects "open discrimination and prejudice against one specific ethnic group – Ukrainian refugees." Notably, children of migrants from Belarus, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Turkey, and other countries will not be deprived of the right to the 800+ payment, points out our compatriot.

"Primarily, it is retirees and women forced to flee with children to Poland who do not work. They often face health issues. Their husbands are fighting at the front, have found themselves in occupied territories, or are dying. If such women have sick children, they cannot work full-time, so they look for part-time jobs, but employers in Poland often do not want to legally employ them in such situations. Is it the woman's fault? No, because this is the reality in Poland. If these changes come into effect, some Ukrainians will have to return to bombings or move to other countries where they can sustain themselves as war refugees. Because in Poland, they will not be able to make ends meet," emphasized Panchenko in an interview with Rzeczpospolita.

The activist also cites statistics indicating that every tenth resident of Poland is Ukrainian or of Ukrainian descent. Consequently, speculation about aid for refugees specifically from our war-torn country may impact overall sentiments in the country and exacerbate conflicts.

Meanwhile, both Polish and Ukrainian media are circulating the results of a survey in which 88% of respondents supported the idea of canceling payments for Ukrainians who are not working and not paying taxes in Poland. It is worth noting that this sociological study was conducted by the IBRiS center for the publication Rzeczpospolita, with only 1,071 participants. Given that Poland's population exceeds 37 million, it is unlikely that the opinion of this small number of citizens can be considered decisive.

The issue of providing assistance to Ukrainians in Poland will be discussed in February during the next meeting of the inter-parliamentary relations group, which includes representatives from the Ukrainian VR and the Polish Sejm. This was reported to "Telegraph" by a member of the "Servant of the People" party and co-chair of the inter-parliamentary