Introduction:

Children on the autism spectrum are entitled to a Children's Disability Benefit
For information pertaining specifically to children on the autism spectrum see the National Insurance Institute's specific webpage
For general information on a disabled child benefit, see the National Insurance Institute's English website

Forms

According to the National Insurance Institute Regulations (Childhood Disability), children on the autism spectrum are entitled to a Disabled Child Benefit.

  • Section 1.(3) of the regulations establishes that a child with a disability is a "child with a special impairment", in accordance with the list of impairments in the second addendum.
  • Section (6) of the second addendum to the regulations defines a child with autism as a child with a special impairment.
  • The process for receiving the benefit is described in the following flowchart, and further on in this article.
Preparation for Submitting the Claim
Submitting a Disabled Child Benefit Claim
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
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

Who is Eligible?

Temporary Eligibility and Permanent Eligibility

  • A child under age 7 can be checked up to 3 times (except in special circumstances) in order to establish benefit eligibility.
  • A child over age 7 has permanent eligibility until age 18.

Necessary Preparations

  • A diagnosis must first be performed. For more information see Autism Diagnosis.
  • A child that is still in the process of being diagnoses may be eligible for a benefit for other reasons, such as for supervision. It is therefore recommended to submit a claim even at this stage.
  • In preparation for Submitting a Disabled Child Benefit Claim, prepare the relevant exams and documents.
  • Before submitting the claim or as appearance before the medical committee approaches, free guidance is available at "Guiding Hand" centers.

Required Documents

  • Diagnoses:
    • A diagnosis conforming to the old definitions from the DSM-4 may be submitted, as long as the assessment was before June 1, 2014 (regardless of when the claim is submitted).
    • A diagnosis that was completed after June 1, 2014 may be submitted only if it conforms with the Ministry of Health General Director Circular 13/15 from 10.11.2013, which is based on the definitions established in the DSM-V. For more details, see Autism Diagnosis.
  • In addition to the diagnosis, it is advisable to include the following documents:
    • An educational report from the institution attended by the child.
    • A paramedical treatment report (speech therapy and occupational therapy).

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.
  • If the child does not need assistance in performing daily activities, you can request that these activities are not checked during the committee's examination.
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.
  • In cases where temporary disability is established, towards the end of the established period of disability, the National Insurance Institute will request updated medical information and the person will be invited to appear before an additional medical committee.
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:
  • The date in which the symptoms connected to the child's disability were first recorded in the child's medical records.
  • The date in which that child's disability began to cause a significant and heavy treatment load (according to a pediatrician who works on behalf of the National Insurance Institute).
 *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.
  • A retroactive benefit is not automatic and should be requested along with the main claim submission.
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.


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).


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.
Example
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


Court Rulings

Aid Organizations

  • For a comprehensive categorized listing of healthcare organizations offering assistance and support, click here.
  • For a list of organiztions offering assistance and support to people with autism click here.

Government Agencies

Laws and Regulations

Additional Publications

Credits