New Polish Law Forces Ukrainian Woman in Wheelchair Into Homeless Shelter.

Victoria's Ordeal

According to TSN.ua: Victoria, a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman who relies on a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, has been forced into a homeless shelter in Jarosław. This drastic change followed new Polish legislation that restricts Ukrainians' access to social benefits. She first arrived in Poland from the Kharkiv region in March 2022, initially living with her parents in the village of Dalinowa, located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship.

Tragedy has marked her journey: her father passed away from brain cancer in March 2024. After a severe stroke, Victoria lost sensation in all four limbs, severely complicating her daily life. She now resides in a five-bed ward at the homeless shelter in Jarosław.

Impact of the New Regulations

Under amendments that took effect on March 5, 2026, Polish authorities limited social benefits for Ukrainians. This forced Victoria to leave a care home in Krosno. Staff members at the facility reported:

“We only learned on March 3 or 4 that Victoria could no longer stay with us and would have to go to a shelter. The new law came into effect on March 5, and the municipality stopped paying for her care. She cried for two nights. What happened to her is inhumane.”

Victoria's case highlights the severe challenges Ukrainians in Poland now face under these new legal restrictions. The policy changes have sparked significant public outcry and concern among human rights advocates, who stress the critical need to support people who have lost everything due to war—especially those with serious medical conditions. Her situation may serve as a catalyst for broader discussions about the rights of Ukrainian refugees and their access to social services in Poland.