The solutions contained in the amendment to the Social Assistance Act are to respond to the demands and expectations of the entities that apply social assistance legislation on a daily basis.
The amendment provides, among others:
- Increase the salary allowance of a full-time social worker in local social assistance organisational units from 250 PLN to 400 PLN;
- Reduction of the period of work of social workers on which additional leave depends 10 days 5 years to 3 years;
Enabling the right to pursue the profession of social worker by gaining qualifications in postgraduate studies in the field of social work methodology and methodology.
Establishing the path of professional promotion for social workers and periodic evaluations (with the possibility of questioning their performance by the employee).
Psychological assistance has been introduced for social workers in an emergency situation in the field.
In addition, remuneration for daily services in support centres for people with mental disorders has been abolished. The abolition of pay concerns services which are not provided around the clock in support centres for people with mental disorders.
The amendment also includes changes in the amount of the interim allowance for the single person. At present, the amount of the survivor’s pension is set at the level of the difference between the income criterion of that person and its income, except that the amount of the allowance may not exceed 418 PLN A month.
After the benefit is changed, it will be determined to the extent of the difference between the income criterion of the single person and its income, except that the monthly amount of the benefit may not be higher than the income criterion of the family. This solution will change the maximum amount of the interim allowance each time the income criteria change, which will have a positive impact on the situation of the recipients.
Flexibility in the award of non-monetary benefits
The possibility was introduced to grant care services or specialised care services on an urgent basis, justified by a sudden change in the health status of the person to whom they will be provided.
It was also possible for spouses or parents with adult children to be referred to the same social assistance home.
Increase of penalties for running an illegal facility providing round-the-clock care for disabled, chronically ill or elderly
Different penalties have been proposed depending on the number of persons in an illegal facility, namely:
- where he/she resides in the facility 1 to 10 persons – the penalty will be 10,000 PLN,
- from 11 to 20 persons — 20,000 PLN,
- above 20 persons — 30,000 PLN.
From 40,000 PLN to 60,000 PLN fines were also increased in the event of the establishment continuing to carry on the same or other activities. This applies to the situation after the decision to impose a fine has been passed on for the conduct without permission of the voivode of an institution providing round-the-clock care to disabled, chronically ill or elderly persons.
Author: Bartosz Nawrot
Legal consultant associated with the law firm Russell Bedford Poland 2018.