Since March, Ukrainians with temporary protection status in Poland have faced reduced access to previous forms of assistance.

Free housing in collective centers is no longer open to all, and family benefits have also been limited.

These shifts raise questions about the reasons behind the policy changes and their effects on those seeking safety.

A recent report from Polish outlet Krytyka Polityczna highlights the case of Irina from Kharkiv. Injured by gunfire in 2022 with her home destroyed, she initially received healthcare and social support after arriving in Poland.

That support ended on 4 March under the updated rules.

Ukrainians must now hold jobs to qualify for family allowances or housing aid.

Free collective accommodation is restricted to those with severe disabilities, survivors of torture, or pregnant individuals.

Irina's arm injury did not qualify her under these terms since she could still work, though she later secured employment as a cleaner and social housing.

Another case involves student Katia, whose father has cancer. She must pause her education to work, as he no longer qualifies for free healthcare.

The Polish government states that conditions have stabilized since the initial refugee waves in 2022, with most Ukrainian adults now employed, so changes affect few.

The primary goal appears to be cutting public costs, though analysts note that such limits may yield only modest savings because Ukrainians fill labor gaps and pay into social systems.

Across the EU, temporary protection applications continue. Nearly 43,000 Ukrainians received status in April alone.

Germany leads with almost 1.3 million hosted since the war began, while Poland has just under one million.

Numbers have eased gradually without sharp drops.

Early data from March and April in Poland show some decline in arrivals, though it remains unclear if new rules are the cause.

Future months could see modest shifts toward nations like Germany or Lithuania that retain more flexible support, mainly requiring proper documents and job-seeker registration.

Temporary protection status itself stays active until May 2027.

EU governments must decide before then whether to prolong the program or introduce further limits.