In the first edition of the program “19.30,” which aired after the TVP Info signal was switched off and public media began a process of depoliticization, Marek Czyż presented viewers with water that felt like clarity rather than propaganda. Yet the program’s content has not aged well; it remains difficult to digest, and the production team forgets to reveal who authored the solutions the segment praises.
On January 2, the program “7:30 PM” aired material about a new support benefit that started on January 1. Viewers were not informed that this law originated in the summer behind a government-led initiative and was signed by the president.
At the start of the new year, significant changes affected how healthcare allowances are awarded. The benefit amount increased, and the work ban for parents or guardians of people with disabilities who receive the allowance was removed. Many acknowledge they have waited for this change for a long time, but it arguably should have been standard practice long ago.
– Joanna Dunikowska-Paź, the presenter of the program, announced on the show.
There is no acknowledgment that the regulations were introduced by the current government in power for disability benefits. The impression created is that the new rules sprung from a coalition formed in December.
The segment opens with the story of Nela, a six-year-old who cannot walk or speak, diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Grouchy syndrome. Nela’s mother explains that her daughter is effectively a three-month-old in terms of development. The parents have monitored her around the clock for six years, and in order to provide 24-hour care, Mrs. Ewa had to leave her job.
Caregiving duties—feeding, playing, and mobility—often fall entirely to one caregiver because Nela relies on constant support.
– the girl’s mother notes.
The piece highlights that caregivers of people with disabilities have historically faced barriers to work without jeopardizing their care benefits, and experts point out that living on benefits can keep families at a subsistence level.
The healthcare allowance now sits at nearly PLN 3,000. Starting January 1, parents or guardians who return to work won’t lose their eligibility for benefits, no matter their income.
– more details follow.
Expert Adam Zawistny from the Institute of Independent Living describes the benefit as aligning with a human-rights approach observed in other European nations.
Numerous questions remain about who authored the new regulations. The material finally reveals that the healthcare benefit framework was adopted in the previous parliamentary term. To apply for the program while maintaining employment, individuals must submit an application.
The material does not mention whether the regulations originated in the Ministry that handles family and social policies, nor whether they were drafted under the supervision of a high-ranking official focused on disability policy. The piece instead moves on to explain how to apply for the benefit.
One observer admits that waiting for this moment has taken seven years.
– comments provided by Nela’s mother.
All told, the changes appear to reflect a new administration’s approach.
Caregivers, who were often confined to four walls, report feeling sidelined for years.
– the narrator states.
When a caregiver stays home to tend to a child’s illness, attention to the medical conditions can fade.
– Nela’s mother adds.
Then psychologist Grzyna Skoczek emphasizes the therapeutic value of allowing parents and guardians to work, a point many agree with. The piece also notes the positive impact of the reforms on the broader economy and confirms that guardians will be able to rejoin the workforce. It also reveals the mother’s intention to resume work as soon as possible and questions why the politics behind the regulations is not highlighted more prominently. Perhaps the emphasis on political ownership is avoided to prevent inflaming tensions tied to prior administrations.
Someone comments: I get frustrated when I hear arguments that shift blame away from the policy itself.
There was an expectation for meaningful reforms, and the new measures meet many of those hopes. The changes flow from the Support Benefits for People with Disabilities Act, which refreshes the existing framework by introducing a new benefit effective January 1, 2024: a supporting benefit. This addition is directed toward the person with a disability, which some argue risks objectifying the beneficiary.
Under the act, the support benefit is allotted to adults with disabilities based on factors such as the person’s ability to perform daily tasks and their overall independence, with the amount tied to the Social Pension framework. The benefit’s level is determined within a range that can reach substantial percentages of the social pension, with decisions made by disability assessment teams upon request from the person or guardians.
From the guardians’ viewpoint, typically mothers, another key aspect of the law is transforming the legal landscape. It changes how healthcare services are paid: the benefit now goes to the guardian for each eligible child with a disability in the family, and the requirement to resign or halt work to provide care is removed. This allows guardians to earn additional income while still receiving healthcare support. This change has long been a central demand of disability advocates.