Introduction:
Children who have an impairment in their lower extremities and limited mobility may be entitled to a Mobility Benefit including a monthly allowance and various vehicle-related loans
For more information, see the National Insurance Institute's English website
A Mobility Benefit includes a number of benefits granted by the National Insurance Institute to parents of children who have an impairment in their lower extremities and limited mobility.
The benefits granted as part a Mobility Benefit include:
- A monthly mobility allowance for those who own a vehicle and those who do not own a vehicle
- A standing loan to pay taxes on the purchase of a new vehicle
- A Loan for Purchasing a Handicap Accessible (Special Accessories) Vehicle
- A Loan for Purchasing Mobility Accessories in a Handicap-Accessible Vehicle
- A Loan to Install a Wheelchair Lift in a Handicap-Accessible Vehicle
- Driving Lessons for Mobility Benefit Recipients (for those 17 years of age and above)
Who is Eligible?
- Children who are Israeli residents age 3 and above for whom a medical committee or a Ministry of Health medical appeals committee has established mobility to be limited as the result of impairment in their legs, in accordance with the National Insurance Institute's list of defined impairments.
- Two or more siblings, each of whom has established limited mobility of at least 80% and who live in the same home, will be entitled to a Mobility Benefit even if they are under 3 years old.
Entitlement for Child Mobility Benefit and a Disabled Child Benefit
- A child will be eligible for both a Mobility Benefit and a Disabled Child Benefit simultaneously in any of the following cases:
- Children for whom limited mobility of at least 80% has been established by the medical committee.
- The medical committee determined that the child requires a wheelchair and he/she uses one.
- The medical committee determined that due to lower body impairment the child cannot walk on their own and because of their disability they are unable to use a wheelchair.
- Two or more siblings are eligible for Disabled Child Benefit, or one child is eligible for disabled child benefit and one child is eligible for child mobility benefit.
- Children for whom limited mobility of under 80% has been established, must choose between the Mobility Benefit and the Disabled Child Benefit.
- One cannot switch from a Mobility Benefit to a disabled child benefit, if the family car was purchased through a loan and the loan has not been repaid.
- In order to verify that receiving mobility benefits will not impact Disabled Child Benefit eligibility, it is important to contact the Disabled Child Department at your local National Insurance Institute branch.
How to Claim It?
- Applicants must first appear before a Medical Committee for Determining Limited Mobility.
- After the medical committee establishes limited mobility, a mobility benefit claim must be submitted.
Children Living in a Framework Outside the Home
- Children living in a framework outside their parents' home are entitled to a monthly mobility allowance for people with disabilities who do not own a vehicle if they meet all of the following conditions:
- Limited mobility of at least 80% has been established or the medical committee has determined that they require a wheelchair and they use one.
- They live in an institutional framework.
- They leave their institutional framework by car at least 6 times per month for work, study, or to participate in social, rehabilitation or volunteer activities.
- No other entity is covering the costs of these outings.
- He/she is entitled to a Disabled Child Benefit but does not receive one because he/she lives in an institutional framework.
A Child Residing in Foster Care
- A foster family who owns a car, under certain conditions, may be eligible for Monthly Mobility Allowance for Vehicle Owners.
- The foster family is responsible for contacting the National Insurance Institute to have themselves appointed as the authorized driver as they are the child's primary caregiver.
Families with More Than One Child Eligible to Receive a Mobility Benefit
- A family may receive only one standing loan for the purchase of a vehicle. There are two options for establishing the amount of the loan:
- The children's rates of limited mobility may be combined to determine a standing loan rate of up to 100% of the vehicle taxes. In such a case, one of the children receives a full Monthly Mobility Allowance for Vehicle Owners to which s/he is entitled, while the other child (or children) receive an allowance equal to 35% of the full allowance to which s/he would otherwise be entitled.
- A standing loan is given for only one child. In such a case, each of the children would receive the full monthly mobility to which s/he is entitled.
- A standing loan for the purchase of a vehicle may only be received for two siblings under the age of 3 if limited mobility of at least 80% has been established for each of them and they live in the same home.
Please Note
- The loan for the purchase of a vehicle may only be used to purchase a new vehicle and it must be covered by comprehensive insurance.
- Those entitled to a Mobility Benefit are also entitled to a disabled parking permit as well as an exemption from the license fee and a reduced vehicle registration fee. The required approval is provided by the Ministry of Health.
- A child who as a result of accident or illness became physically disabled, could gain Mobility Benefit only if his mobility impairment is permanent. If the mobility impairment is temporary s/he is not eligible for the child Mobility Benefit.
Aid Organizations
- For a comprehensive categorized listing of aid organizations offering assistance and support for children and adults with disabilities, click here.
Government Agencies
Laws and Regulations
Credits
- English translation and maintenance by The Shira Pransky Project.