Reform of ZUS Disability Assessment and Launch of Car and Electricity Subsidy Programs

The Polish public administration is implementing extensive changes to the citizen support system in 2026. A key element of the reform is the amendment of regulations concerning disability assessment. From April 13, 2026, ZUS disability assessors will also be able to include nurses and physiotherapists, which is intended to solve the shortage of medical assessors and speed up administrative processes. These changes coincide with a modification of the criteria for granting the support benefit – individuals scoring below 70 points on the new assessment scale may be excluded from this form of aid in March 2026. Concurrently, the Ministry of Family and Social Policy announces the gradual closure of hundreds of MOPS facilities by 2030, raising questions about the future distribution of nursing and care allowances. For households, the deadlines for new application rounds are crucial. Starting March 2, 2026, the car purchase subsidy program launches, with applications accepted for only one month. Furthermore, citizens can apply for a 600 zł rebate on electricity costs, aimed at mitigating the effects of high electricity prices. Seniors have also been included in the support, with the so-called "500 plus for seniors" program, which, however, requires a formal application. In the realm of public safety, the Ministry of Interior and Administration has allocated nearly 5 billion zł for civil protection and civil defense. These funds will go to local governments for equipping fire departments and police, especially in border regions such as the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. Poland's civil defense reform of 2025-2026 is a response to geopolitical tensions in the Central and Eastern Europe region and constitutes the largest investment in passive security in decades. Emotions are also running high regarding the situation in the Polish Olympic Committee. While the ministry co-finances infrastructure, such as the construction of a year-round ice rink in Warsaw and Greater Poland, media reports have circulated about a raise for President Radosław Piesiewicz. These controversies are compounded by the withdrawal of a key PKOl sponsor, casting doubt on the payment of bonuses for Olympians. In the background, reports emerge about the lack of a boycott of the ceremonies by other European powers, which contrasts with Poland's earlier hardline stance. „This is an internal committee matter and stems from the scope of additional duties.” — Radosław Piesiewicz

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal-leaning media emphasize the chaos in the disability assessment system and the outrageous raises in PKOl at the expense of athletes. Conservative media focus on the record spending on defense and civil protection as a government success in building a safe state.