Introduction:
Children between 91 days and 18 years old and 3 months, receiving medical treatment as detailed below are entitled to a Disabled Child Benefit of 100%
Children from birth, who require ongoing medical care in a hospital may be eligible for a benefit at the rate of 188%.
According to the first addition to the National Insurance Regulations (Disabled Child) children age 91 days until 18 years and 3 months, who receive medical treatment as explained below, are eligible for a disabled child benefit at the rate of 100%.
- According to Section 1 of the Regulations starting from 01.08.2016, children who
receive medical care provided by a hospital may also be eligible for a child benefit; if the child cannot attend their educational or therapeutic framework at least 3 days a week for 3 consecutive months.
- In these cases the entitlement is a benefit at the rate of 188%.
- In accordance with The National Insurance Regulations eligibility for this benefit may be from birth, and on the basis of documents only.
- The process to receive the benefit is shown in the following diagram Details on each stage may be found below:
Medical committee
for a child up to the age of 3
or
for a child above age 3
In some cases a
Disabled Child Benefit Committee Hearing in the Absence of the Child may be possible
for a child up to the age of 3
or
for a child above age 3
In some cases a
Disabled Child Benefit Committee Hearing in the Absence of the Child may be possible
Receiving notification about the decision of the committee
If the answer is positive, see, Benefit Rates
If you are not satisfied with the answer you may appeal the a decision of the medical committee
as well as
appeal the a decision of the appeals committee
In any case, you may
reapply
reapply
Who is Eligible?
Children between 91 days and 18 years old and 3 months (or from birth in the case of regular treatment as noted) who fulfill one of the following criteria:
Factors of Eligibility | Conditions of Eligibility | Additional Information |
---|---|---|
Parents involved in child's treatment | A child who from birth requires regular medical care from a hospital according to their Physician's recommendation, is unable to attend preschool or school at least 3 day a week for 3 consecutive months and the parent or person who receives the benefit on behalf of the child, is present and takes part in treatment. | Eligibility is for a benefit at a rate of 188% |
Blood transfusions | A child who requires a transfusion of one of the following at least once per month: blood, blood products, blood substitutes, antibiotics and other infusions as part of extended treatment. | |
Dialysis | A child who, from birth receives regular dialysis treatment. | Disabled Child Benefit for Children on Dialysis Treatment |
Bladder catheterization | A child requiring regular bladder catheterization (at least twice a day) . | |
Organ Transplant | Children, from birth, receiving regular daily immunosuppressive treatment following an organ transplant or bone marrow transplant - for up to 3 years from the date of transplant and during the time when the child suffers from a severe and regular secondary disease caused as a result of the treatment. | Disabled Child Benefit for a Child who Underwent an Organ or Bone Marrow Transplant |
Cancer | Children, from birth, requiring infusion of cytotoxic drugs at least once a month or receiving radiation treatment before or after surgical resection of a malignant tumor - for the duration of the treatment period, and half a year afterwards, as well as during the time when the child suffers from a severe and regular secondary disease caused as a result of the treatment. | Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Cancer |
Gastrointestinal Problems | *Children who, due to a severe physical impairment, require intravenous feeding (eligibility from birth) or feeding via a nasogastric feeding tube, or for whom feeding lasts at least one hour.
|
Eligibility is for a benefit at a rate of 188% |
Pathological Bone Fractures or Severe Chronic Bone Infections | Children requiring treatment and supervision due to pathological bone fractures or severe chronic bone infections, for which physical therapy or other rehabilitative therapy may not be performed. | |
Eating Disorders | Children who have uncontrollable urges to eat, and who are constantly and compulsively looking for food, without regard for the food's quality, as the result of a proven chromosomal abnormality (i.e. Prader–Willi syndrome). | Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Eating Disorders |
Frequent Blood Tests |
|
Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Diabetes |
Breathing Difficulties | Children receiving oxygen therapy most of the day, or who have a tracheotomy. | Benefit Supplement for Child on a Respirator |
Rare Diseases (Orphan Illnesses) | Children who require special treatment due to a rare and severe illness or syndrome (one case in 100,000) which creates an extremely heavy burden on their family. | Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Rare Diseases or Disorders |
Severe Motor Problems |
|
Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) |
Need for several regular treatments | Children requiring at least 3 of the following 7 treatments due to one illness, or at least 4 of the 7 treatments due to two illnesses, on a regular basis for at least six months:
|
- In addition there are general eligibility conditions that must be met (see Additional Conditions of Eligibility on the general Disabled Child Benefit page).
More Information About Specific Illnesses
- Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Epilepsy
- Disabled Child Benefit for Children on Dialysis Treatment
- Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Diabetes
- Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Cancer
- Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Heart Disease
- Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Degenerative Muscle Disorders
- Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP)
- Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Eating Disorders
- Disabled Child Benefit for Children with Rare Diseases or Disorders
- Disabled Child Benefit for a Child who Underwent an Organ or Bone Marrow Transplant
- Disabled child benefit for children with hempohilia - see AL"H (Association of Hemophiliacs)
Benefit Rates
- The Disabled Child Benefit at the rate of 100% is 2,600 NIS (this amount includes the supplement amount of 378 NIS), correct as of 2019.
- The Disabled Child Benefit at the rate of 188% is 4,757 NIS (this amount includes the supplement amount of 580 NIS), correct as of 2019. (The supplement was raised retroactively from January 2018).
- For information on benefit rates from previous years see the National Insurance Institute's website.
Necessary Preparations
- In preparation for submitting the claim, prepare the relevant exams and documents.
- Before submitting the claim or appearing before the medical committee, free guidance is available at "Guiding Hand" centers, provided by the National Insurance Institute.
Required Documents
- Up to date medical documentation regarding the child's medical state and functioning, including medical history, the type of treatment required, and its frequency.
- Report on outpatient monitoring at specialist clinics and specification of continuing treatment plan.
- For a child on a ventilator - a diagnosis from the treating physician that includes the ventilator indications, specifying the type of machine and the start date of the intervention.
How to Claim It?
What Now? | For Further Details | Notes |
---|---|---|
Submit a claim | Submitting a Disabled Child Benefit Claim | It is important to remember to send all required documents |
After filing the claim, it will be decided if a decision on the amount of disability can be made without the presence of the child. | Disabled Child Benefit Committee Hearing in the Absence of the Child. | If the committee decides on eligibility based on documentation only, you can request that the child be checked by the committee within 45 days. |
If it is decided after filing the claim that there is a need to check the child then an invitation to a medical committee hearing will be sent according to the age of the child. | *Medical Committee for a Disabled Child up to Age 3 | *It is important to arrive at the prescribed time, or to report the inability to attend in advance.
|
The committee's decision | Within 45 days of receiving the claim with all relevant documents, you will be sent the decision, together with the minutes of the medical committee meeting. | In certain situations, temporary eligibility may be established (relevant cases are detailed in the Specific Information for Eligible Populations section.
|
If eligibility is granted, the benefit will be paid from the month in which the claim was submitted | The benefit will be transferred to the eligible recipient's bank account on the 28th of each month. | |
Retroactive Payment | Retroactive payment for up to a year before the claim was submitted may granted if the conditions for eligibility existed before submission. The time is determined based on the earlier of these two dates:
|
*A child receiving the benefit because of a developmental delay (until age 3) may receive a retroactive benefit for up to half a year before the claim was filed.
|
If you are not satisfied with the decision (if eligibility was rejected or only partially/temporarily established), you can appeal within 90 days from the day it was received. | Appealing the Decision of the Medical Committee for a Disabled Child | |
If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Appeals Committee, you can appeal within 60 days to the Regional Labor Court. | Appealing the Decision of the Medical Appeals Committee of the National Insurance Institute | You may requestfree legal assistance from the legal assistance division of the Ministry of Justice. |
A repeat claim may be filed after 6 months, or if there has been a deterioration in health status - with no waiting period. | Submitting a Disabled Child Benefit Repeat Claim | |
If your child (above age 3) is totally dependent on the assistance of others for daily activities (in a way that is significantly more than his/her peers) and the child receives a disabled child benefit without relating to this dependence, a dependence evaluation can be requested. | Dependence Evaluation for a Disabled Child Benefit Recipient | A request for a dependence evaluation can be submitted from age 2 years and 10 months. |
Families with two or more disabled children
- Families with two or more children entitled to the disabled child benefit are entitled to an increased benefit amount for each of the children.
- The addition for each child is an additional 50% of entitled amount established for the child.
A family in which one child is entitled to a benefit of 100% and the brother is entitled to a benefit of 50%:
- The child that is entitled to a benefit of 100% will receive an increased benefit of 150%.
- The child that is entitled to a benefit of 50% will receive an increased rate of 75%.
- Families with two children with disabilities who only receive a Disabled Child Benefit for one of them are entitled to an increased benefit amount if the child for which they are not receiving the benefit is not eligible for it due to one of the following reasons:
- S/he lives in an institution or other facility outside the home.
- S/he is over the age of 18 and received a Disabled Child Benefit before reaching the age of 18.
- Families where two children are eligible for a Disabled Child Benefit or where one child is eligible for a Disabled Child Benefit and the second is eligible for a Mobility Benefit may be entitled to both a Disabled Child Benefit and a Mobility Benefit for each of the children in accordance with each benefit's conditions of eligibility.
Please Note
- A calculator on the National Insurance Institute website can be used to check eligibility to receive two benefits simultaneously.
- A child up to age 3 who is eligible for a Disabled Child Benefit may be admitted to a Rehabilitative Daycare Centers.
- According to the law, it is illegal to seize a Disabled Child Benefit. If there is a hold on a bank account, you must contact the executing offices and obtain confirmation of specific removal of the hold for Disabled Child Benefit funds and then submit it to the appropriate parties (bank, etc.).
- The National Insurance Institute sends a Certificate of Disability to anyone eligible for a Disabled Child Benefit.
Aid Organizations
- Listing of Aid Organizations for Children with Special Needs
- Listing of Health Related Aid Organizations
Government Agencies
Laws and Regulations
- The National Insurance Law
- National Insurance Regulations (Disabled Child)
- National Insurance Regulations (Disabled Child) (Amendment no. 2) 2016
- National Insurance Regulations (Disability Insurance) (Appeals Committees for Special Services and Disabled Children)
- Disability Circular no 1989 - Increase of benefit rate and way of establishing entitlement for children receiving prolonged and difficult medical treatment.
Credits
- English translation and maintenance by The Shira Pransky Project.