Łódź. Eight -year -old Victoria never met her grandfather, but she is to pay for his stay in the DPS

The offices are overwhelmed by eight -year -old Victoria, ordering her payment for staying at the Nursing Home of her grandfather, whom she did not even meet. He is not the only child who gets such social welfare letters. Officials admit that they see the absurdity of this situation.

The Łódź Social Welfare Center demands that eight -year -old Victoria pay for her grandfather's stay in a social welfare home.

– Wiktoria would pay 1955 zlotys a month – says Mr. Robert, father of eight -year -old. And he points out: – This is a large amount. In turn, I am a foreign man for this gentleman. I don't even know him.

See the whole report “Notes!” TVN: 8-year-old Wiktoria is to pay for her grandfather's stay in DPS. “Should I act to the detriment of the child?”

Stay at home

Wiktoria's grandfather lives in a center that offers good conditions and professional care of staff. The monthly cost of a man's stay in DPS is over six thousand zlotys.

20 years ago he parted with his grandmother Victoria and settled with a new partner. He had two children, son and daughter Małgorzata – Mother of Victoria from his first relationship.

– he put on that second family, looked after children and grandchildren. And Victoria was not interested at all. All the more so her situation after her mother's death – emphasizes the dad of eight -year -olds.

We have the death of Victoria

Victoria's situation is very difficult, there was a great tragedy in her life. My mother died of breast cancer when the girl was only four years old.

– The disease itself progressed very quickly. After a biopsy, it turned out to be a very aggressive variety of cancer. When treatment began in August, it became the worst in December – says Mr. Robert. – Wiktoria is aware that her mother is dead. She wanted to go to religion, it helps her. That mother is, exists, only in a different world and watches over her – adds the girl's father.

According to Mr. Robert, when Małgorzata was sick, Mr. Jan, her father, was not interested in his daughter.

“He didn't even know that she was sick,” says Victoria's father.

Official magazines in social welfare

The difficult family situation after the death of the mother is intensified by the sent official letters regarding the fees for the help home.

– MOPS, suggests a contract for the signature on behalf of Victoria … Should I act to the detriment of the child? By burdening her? This is breaking the Family Code – Mr. Robert is nervous. – Negative emotions definitely go to Victoria. She sees that I am nervous, that I talk nervously on the phone. Recently, she asked me if this situation was through her – he adds.

How is it possible that eight -year -old Wiktoria is covered with official correspondence that she does not understand. Why should the girl pay for her grandfather she never met?

Victoria is not the only child who gets letters

Correspondence with information on fees and charging the receivables of eight -year Victoria results from the provisions of the Social Assistance Act. Pursuant to Article 61 of this Act, a fee for staying in a nursing home is first covered by a resident of such a institution, and if there is no such possibility: spouse, children or grandchildren.

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Article 61 of the Social Assistance Act

For the legitimacy of correspondence addressed to the girl, the reporter “Notes!” She asked the director of the Łódź MOPS.

– We are required by the Act on social assistance to determine the amount of payment for all family members – says Piotr Kowalski from the Municipal Social Welfare Center in Łódź. And he adds: – There are several children a year to whom we direct these letters. Of course they are of different ages. Unfortunately, the legislator did not distinguish in any way adults and minors.

Who should pay for the help home?

For many years, Mr. Jan did not keep in touch with his first wife and children. The second family of Mr. Jan, with whom the man survived 20 years, does not feel the fees.

Although Mr. Jan is the owner of the apartment, according to the applicable regulations, his property is not taken into account when determining persons obliged to bear the costs of his stay at home.

– The basis for determining the payment are the personal income of benefits that a given person has – explains Piotr Kowalski from MOPS in Łódź. And he adds: – Based on the analysis of this situation, Wiktoria was released last year from incurring this payment.

Despite the cancellation by the offices last year's commitment, other letters reach Victoria, calling for her to pay for her grandfather's stay at home. The family will have to get through the bothersome administrative procedure again.

– A year ago, the lady informed me that it would be best to collect invoices from the whole year, which he spends on Victoria. In addition to being a lonely father, I have my duties. Should I still run an accounting office for MOPS? Collect everything for medicines, dinners and trips at school and everything else so that you can attach to the application – asks Mr. Robert.

Can MOPS, knowing the situation of Victoria, simply cancel the fees?

– NO. The legislator defined this very clearly. Once a year, we must check the situation for this specific moment – says Piotr Kowalski.

– In these provisions, when it comes to the Social Welfare Act, there is no child's good. There is no good child here. Where are my rights? Rights guaranteed in the Constitution and Law of Victoria? – Mr Robert asks.

“The recipe is harmful”

Is there a chance to solve this problem?

– This recipe is harmful because we are talking about the situation of children who are just starting their lives. They should have a happy childhood, and this recipe is a negation. It would be best if the amendment was aimed at completely deleted minors from the circle of people obliged to cover costs – believes Monika Horna -Cieślak, spokeswoman for the child's rights.

– We see the gap in the rules. The Act on social assistance is already 20 years old and this provision is in prepared amendments to the Act. The act will be carried out by the government as soon as possible. I hope that this month such a conclusion for the list of government works will be sent from the ministry – says Katarzyna Nowakowska, deputy minister of family, work and social policy. – We are also looking at Victoria. I hope that Victoria or her guardians will not be burdened with fees. But we want to secure all the kids and their carers in the future – adds Deputy Minister.

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