Poland to stop paying financial aid to Ukrainians fleeing the war from July 1

From July 1, the Polish government will no longer provide financial assistance of PLN 40 per day (about €9) to cover food and accommodation for Ukrainians fleeing the war in Poland. The government hopes that Ukrainians will be able to find employment and provide for themselves, reports Rzeczpospolita with reference to the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs.

"We are convinced that many people in Poland can become independent and adapt," said Polish Deputy Interior Minister Paweł Szefernaker, adding that the decision envisages some exceptions — expanding benefits for people with disabilities, pregnant women, and families with many children.

Earlier, the Polish government adopted a special law guaranteeing benefits for Ukrainians fleeing the war for the first 60 days in Poland. Then the assistance period was extended for another 60 days. However, payments will stop on July 1.

"We pay huge social benefits — from PLN 300 to each person and PLN 500 and more to each child — and other amounts arising from social assistance. In addition, we see that many Ukrainians are looking for work, applying for it, and coping with everything. We want to encourage others to be active. Four months of full protection is, in our opinion, a sufficient period," said a top official from Polish Law and Justice right-wing populist and national-conservative political party in an interview with Rzeczpospolita.

Rzeczpospolita notes that the government's decision is based on high expenditures on maintaining Ukrainians fleeing the war. In particular, the Silesian Voivodeship estimated the current expenditures on 115,000 Ukrainians as PLN 190 million per month, of which daily payments of PLN 40 per day constitute a total of PLN 160 million per month.

"As of May 17, Poland received more than 190,000 applications for payments. They amount to more than PLN 821.9 million," the Polish Interior Ministry said.

Silesian Voivodeship spokeswoman Alina Kucharzewska said the region introduces a wide range of measures to encourage Ukrainians to seek employment. Local authorities are waiting for a special act to help fund Polish language and training courses, which will "help find yourself in the labor market."

According to the UN, as of May 29, more than 6.8 million citizens left Ukraine. Most of them went to Poland — 3.6 million people.