Refugees from Ukraine residing in Poland are having difficulty obtaining parental benefits from the local Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) after temporarily leaving the country. The reason is that Ukrainians have failed to complete the necessary paperwork when crossing the border, ZUS spokesman Pawel Rzebrowski told PAP.

The Ombudsman's Office has received a number of complaints from Ukrainian citizens who have had their social benefits suspended due to the loss of their "UKR" status. This status is granted to foreigners, mainly Ukrainian citizens, who have been granted temporary protection in Poland.

ZUS representatives explained that the suspension of payments is temporary, provided that the person returns to Poland within 30 days, which will be confirmed in the register kept by the Border Guard. In such a case, the right to parental benefit is restored with compensation.

In order for Ukrainians who have left Poland for a while to resume receiving the benefit, it is necessary to inform the Border Guard about temporary protection in Poland. After receiving such information and updating the data in the records of the Border Guard, the Social Insurance Institution resumes the payment of benefits with compensation for the period for which the legality of the stay was restored.

If a Ukrainian has returned to Poland via other countries, such as Slovakia, he or she must apply to the municipal council for re-establishment of "UKR" status. In the application, the exact date of entry into Poland must be given, on the basis of which the Border Guard will update the data in its register. This information will be the basis for resuming the payment of child benefit taking into account the period of absence.

Ukrainians who receive upbringing benefit in Poland should remember to complete the necessary formalities when crossing the border, showing the Diia.pl document on their smartphone, even if they have been abroad for only one day. This will help them avoid having their payments withheld and preserve their right to receive benefits upon their return to Poland.