MOPS, i.e. the Municipal Social Welfare Center, is often a key place that provides support in the form of benefits to thousands of Poles. Not everyone realizes that these administrative units are increasingly disappearing from Polish municipalities.
As explained by Infor.pl, instead of the well-known MOPS, municipalities create Social Service Centers (CUS). Currently, there are already 130 CUSs in operation, and within eight years there will be 600 of them. At the same time, the number of MOPS will decrease.
Will MOPS be liquidated? Here's what will happen to benefits in 2026.
MOPS, i.e. the Municipal Social Welfare Center, is the basis of the local support system for people in need. As a reminder: these units operate on the basis of the Social Assistance Act and the statute granted by the commune council.
Support – not only cash benefits – can be obtained by people and families with low incomes, seniors, people with disabilities, victims of violence, the homeless and children in difficult situations. Foreigners living in Poland can also count on certain forms of support.
See also: She received six benefits from MOPS in three months. She went to court
Currently, there are approximately 2,500 MOPS or GOPS (Municipal Social Welfare Centers) in Poland. Over the next decade, this number will be significantly reduced, and the place of aid units will be taken by CUS, i.e. Social Service Centers.
Importantly, both institutions will function in parallel, although ultimately CUS will take over most of the tasks related to social assistance.
Instead of MOPS there will be CUS. “It's a revolution”
The changes that will be felt by millions of Poles have been implemented for several months. “This is a real revolution in the approach to social services. Instead of focusing only on financial assistance, CUS will offer a wide range of support” – explained on the website of the Połaniec City and Commune Office.
The originators of changes in the social assistance system explained that “municipal governments will be able to respond more accurately and comprehensively to the growing and changing needs of individuals, families and local communities.”
The mentioned Połaniec commune explains that “the new structure has two divisions: a social services division and a social assistance division. The latter, the social assistance division, operates similarly to the existing activities in the OPS structures.”
In turn, the social services department is being strongly expanded “in order to create the widest possible package of social services for residents. The implementation of these services may be outsourced to external entities.”
The end of MOPS. Is the era of CUS coming? We explain what about benefits
According to explanations by Infor.pl, the changes affect millions of Poles using social assistance. CUSs are supposed not only to pay benefits, but above all to develop non-monetary services, such as home care, neighborly help and psychological support. This shifts the emphasis from providing money to specific activities and services that are intended to actually improve the quality of life of those in need.
See also: What help does MOPS provide? Here are all the benefits and more
Although the scope of monetary benefits in both institutions is similar, CUSs are to offer a wide range of non-monetary services – from home repairs, through beauty services, to specialist counseling. In the future, more and more support will come in the form of services, not cash.
For now, non-monetary services are an addition to benefits, but in the next 10 years they may partially replace them. For example, instead of receiving a benefit for repairing a cooker, CUS will organize its repair. In 2035, a poor person may no longer receive money, but support from a caregiver or food vouchers.
