NIK: The procedure related to disability adjudication is often too complicated

The procedure related to disability adjudication is often too complicated, and you have to wait a long time for decisions setting the level of support – according to the NIK report. Its delegation in Poznań inspected the activities of four units in the region.

NIK in a communiqué published on Wednesday indicated that the disability adjudication system is struggling with many problems: there are no specialist doctors, decisions are taken without explanation and assessment of the patient's negotiations. The auditors also found several months of delays in considering applications for issuing decisions setting the level of support.

The NIK delegation in Poznań has audited the activities of four units, including the Poviat Eldership in Wolsztyn, the Poviat Family Assistance Center in Września, the Poviat Family Support Center in Wągrowiec. Poviat disability adjudication teams operate in their structure. NIK also checked the Wielkopolska Voivodship Office in Poznań, in which the provincial team operates. The period covered by the control covered the years 2023-2024.

The report shows that none of the teams had full case -law. There was a lack of doctors with a specialization in the main fields of medicine, which used in the process of deciding on disability, especially psychiatrists and otolaryngologists. There were no ophthalmologists, neurologists, pediatricians and orthopedists.

“The chairman of the teams pointed out that the problem is too low rates that discourage doctors from working in case -law. The rulings were often issued by doctors with specialties not related to specific patients' diseases, which could lead to erroneous decisions that did not take into account the specifics of some rare or chronic diseases,” reads in the message.

According to the NIK, justification of the issued judgments were laconic, imprecise and general, which hindered the effective appeal of applicants for their release.

“A citizen who knows no reasons for issuing a decision, not only does not know what determined the decision, but also what arguments he is to present in the appeal,” the Supreme Audit Office pointed out.

In each controlled unit, the controllers also detected cases of unreliable preparation by doctors of health assessments of persons applying for a decision. Specimers of applications for a disability certificate or a degree of disability contained statements not provided by law.

According to the Supreme Audit Office, the Provincial Team for Disability Adjudication, which performed a supervisory function for the adjudication of poviat teams, did not show proper commitment to controlling subordinate units.

“Of the 12 inspections planned in 2023-2024, only five were carried out; so that the supervision was effective, not only should be available for inspection rights, but also to use them actively,” the Supreme Audit Office said in a communiqué.

The Supreme Audit Office also found for several months in considering applications for decisions setting the level of support.

By the end of 2024, only over 25 percent applications from 37 thousand The complex ended with the relevant decision. At the beginning of 2025, 23.7 thousand remained to be considered. applications submitted in 2023.

“The delays meant that people requiring help for a long time remained without support. In extreme cases, sick patients could not even wait for issuing a decision,” we read in a statement.

None of the controlled units met all the minimum requirements for architectural, digital and information and communication availability. Some teams lacked adequate amenities, i.e. functional and collision -free climbs, elevators or toilets adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. Controlled institutions did not provide adequate solutions in the evacuation of people with special needs.

“Such barriers may make some people not be able to submit an application or reach a commission, which will prevent them from issuing an appropriate judgment. Persons with restrictions may also be forced to involve family, friends or assistants to submit an application or get to a commission, which generates additional costs and stress,” said NIK.

NIK decided that urgent repair actions were necessary to make the system more effective and friendly to citizens. (PAP)

RPO/ JOZ/