Introduction:

This page organizes the updates that are relevant for people with disabilities and their families during the coronavirus outbreak
In addition, you can find a list of dedicated centers operating during this period, which can be contacted for assistance
If you have a permit to employ a foreign nursing care worker see Important Information Regarding the Employment of Foreign Nursing Care Workers during the Coronavirus Crisis
If you are a parent of a child with disabilities see Important Information for Families of Children with Disabilities during the Coronavirus Crisis
See the Coronavirus and Disablity FAQs page on the National Insurance Institute website


On this page you can find information about updates and leniencies that are relevant for people with disabilities during the coronavirus crisis period.

(Automatic) Grant Payments in April 2020

Restriction Leniencies

  • The regulations require that people wear a mask that cover their mouth and nose when they are outside their house.
  • The requirement to wear a mask in public areas does not apply to people with medical, emotional or intellectual disabilities who find it difficult to (or whose disabilities prevent them from) wear masks.

Movement beyond 100 meters

  • In accordance with an agreement between the Equal Rights Commission for People with Disabilities, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice:
    • In essential cases required to maintain a person's health or mental state, people on the autistic spectrum, people with mental health disabilities and people similar disabilities, may be allowed to go out with one companion beyond 100 meters.
    • This will be done proportionately according to the minimum time and distance possible, following the Ministry of Health guidelines (2 meters distance between people, etc.).
    • It is advisable to have appropriate certificates such as a disability certificate, a certificate exempts people from waiting in line or a professional document (from a social worker, psychiatrist, etc.).
  • For additional information, see the Equal Rights Commission for People with Disabilities statement.

Visits for Families in Housing Frameworks

Housing Frameworks Guidelines from the Disabilities Department

  • The following guidelines have been established by the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services - Disabilities Department regarding family visits to housing frameworks:
    • Every resident is entitled to a regular visit once every two weeks.
    • The visit will be approximately 30 minutes.
    • Because it is often difficult for many of these residents to wear masks and keep a distance of 2 meters, the following measures of protection will also be taken:
      • In addition to a mask, visitors will wear a disposal robe and gloves.
      • If the resident cannot where protective gear because of his condition he should wash, change his clothes and launder his clothes immediately after the visit.
      • In all cases the resident should wash his hands or disinfect them with alcohol when the visit ends.
    • The maximum number of visits allowed in a day in a specific place:
      • There can be one visit a day in a residential framework with up to 6 residents of mid-high level functioning.
      • There can be 3 visits a day in a residential framework with up to 60 residents.
      • There can be 6 visits a day in a residential framework that has over 60 residents.
  • These guidelines are in effect from 21.04.2020 through 03.05.2020 and will be updated as needed.
  • For an updated list of guidelines see the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services website.

General Guidelines for Housing Framework Visits (Including adult frameworks)

  • Every resident should be given an opportunity for a visit.
  • Only one visitor can participate in each visit.
  • The duration of the visit will be adapted to the needs of the resident and the framework.
  • The date of the visit must be coordinated in advance with the resident and the visitor (no uncoordinated visits will be allowed).
  • The person in the framework who is responsible for the visitation plan will update the residents and families regarding the arrangement of the visits.
  • The visitor may be a family member, guardian, primary caregiver or other person who is significant to the resident.
  • The visit and the visitor's identity will be based on the residents request, according to his needs and in consultation with the professional in the framework.
  • If the resident cannot determine who will visit him, professional judgment must be exercised to determine to the resident's needs.
  • Visits should be prioritized based on professional judgment, residents wishes and family requests.
  • Anyone who is in quarantine or who has coronavirus, or has a family member in quarantine or with the virus is forbidden from visiting.
  • The visit is permitted under the following conditions:
    • The visitor's temperature will be taken.
    • The visitor has no respiratory symptoms.
    • The visitor will sign a health declaration.
  • Visiting space:
    • A dedicated space will be allocated for visits to the framework. It is recommended to be in an open area within the framework or in an isolated complex that adheres to the Ministry of Health guidelines and is removed from the other residents.
    • The space allows for at least 2 meters between the resident and the visitor.
    • If the space is a room, it should ideally be used solely for this purpose, and should have ventilation (an open window or door).
    • A staff member will accompany the visit to ensure that the guidelines are kept.
    • The visitor must remain in the designated area only during the visit.
    • If there is a dedicated isolation or corona patient ward, visits to this ward should not be allowed.
  • Protective measures:
    • The resident and visitor will wear masks throughout the session. The visitor is responsible for bringing his own mask.
    • In cases where the resident cannot wear a mask according to the decision of the professional staff within the framework, the visit can be permitted at a distance of at least 2 meters from the visitor.
    • In exceptional cases where the distance between the resident and the visitor cannot be maintained, the visit must be approved by a multi-disciplinary team.
    • The visiting space must have materials for disinfecting hands.
    • The visiting area must be cleaned by the framework staff after each visit.
  • The visitor will be able to bring food from home with disposable dishes or in closed packages.
  • If you want to bring personal belongings to a resident, this should be coordinated in advance with the management.
  • For an updated list of guidelines regarding housing frameworks see the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services website.

Absence from work for parents of a child with disabilities

  • A parent of a person (child/adult) with disabilities who has worked for at least one year in the same workplace and is required to be absent from work to provide personal assistance to his or her child is entitled to miss up to 18 days (or 36 specific instances) at the expense of his accrued sick or vacations days (based on his choice).
  • For sick days, the employee is entitled to sick pay at the rate of 100% of his salary, from the first day he is absent.
  • Additionally, an employee is entitled to miss (without wage deduction) 52 hours a year (or 104 in certain circumstances) in order to provide care to his/her child.
  • For additional information on general eligibility conditions, see Sick Days for a Parent to Care for Offspring with Disabilities.
  • In addition to the eligibility conditions stipulated by law, during the coronavirus crisis period the parent will be entitled to miss work at the expense of his sick/vacation days if all of the following conditions are met:
    • The child is not in any framework during this period (educational or otherwise).
    • The child needs supervision, care, or assistance because of his or her disability.
    • The parent was not put on Unpaid Leave.
    • The parent is not a public sector employee who is on forced paid leave due to the coronavirus outbreak between 22.03.2020 and 18.04.2020 or between 19.04.2020 and 02.05.2020 (a public sector worker who is deemed non-essential and put on forced leave between 22.03.2020 to 02.05.2020 is not entitled to report sick days for "personal assistance" for the child).
  • For additional information, see the Equal Rights Commission for People with Disabilities website.
Attention
The law prohibits discriminating against an employee who needs to care for a family member with disabilities


Medications and Online Medical Services

Tip
Before going out to pick up a medicine, we recommend checking in the pharmacy does home deliveries.

Unemployment Pay for Employees sent on Unpaid Leave who are Disability Benefit Recipients

  • An employee who receives a general disability pension and is sent on unpaid leave of at least 30 days may also be entitled to unemployment pay in accordance with the conditions of eligibility.
  • If the employee is paid a General Disability Pension Dependents' Supplement the unemployment payment amount will be taken into account when calculating the supplement.
  • Similarly an employee who receives a workplace disability pension who is sent on unpaid leave also may be eligible for unemployment pay.
  • For additional information see the Coronavirus and Disabilities FAQs page on the National Insurance Institute website.

National Insurance Institute Medical Hearings and Extending Temporary Benefit Eligibility

  • The medical committee hearing will take place without the insured individuals based on the medical documents that were submitted. For additional information see the National Insurance Institute website.
  • Benefits that were given temporarily that are due to end during the time period will be lengthened automatically according to the details provided on the National Insurance Institute website.
Attention
For updates regarding long-term care benefits see Important Information for Long-Term Care Benefit Recipients during the Coronavirus Crisis

Extending the validity of a disabled parking permit

  • According to the Ministry of Transportation guidelines, disabled parking permits that expire between 20.03.2020 and 10.05.2020 are automatically renewed for 60 days. For example a permit that expires on 01.05.2020 is automatically extended to 01.07.2020.
  • This guideline is relevant to all types of tags.
  • For additional information and clarifications contact the Ministry of Transportation's information line at ‎*5678 on Sun.-Thurs. between 8:00-19:00.

Coping with Financial Difficulties

Help Centers

Government Agencies

Government Agencies Call Center Expedited Services
Commission for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Contact form ‎*6763
The National Insurance Institute National hotline ‎[tel:*6050 *6050 ] General questions form
The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services (Guidance for Citizens) 118
The Population and Immigration Authority National Information and Service hotline ‎[tel:*3450 *3450 ] Online contact form for issues related to employment of foreign workers during the coronavirus outbreak
The Ministry of Health Kol HaBriut call center ‎*5400
Home Front Command Civil Emergency Hotline (non-medical) 104

Organizations and Additional Authorities

Organization Center details and website link Hotline number
United Hatzalah, Israel Association of Community Centers, and Lev Echad Emergency Hotline for Humanitarian Assistance During the Corona Crisis 1221 (no star)
Yad Sarah Delivery of medical equipment to the house ‎02-6444639
Lev Echad Assistance with shopping, gathering medications etc. ‎02-6762044
Friends for Health Medications for Home-bound Individuals ‎054-7123930
Beit Issie Shapira Hotline to Assist People with Disabilities with Emotional Difficulties, Anxiety and Stress 073-241770, ‎050-2815232 (Arabic)
ALEH Hotline for families of children and adults with disabilities ‎1-800-201-077
Enosh Phone and Internet Hotline for People Coping with Emotional Issues and their Families ‎074-7556155
AKIM Parents' Hotline ‎1-800-399-333
IDF Veterans' Organization and the Organization for Trauma Victims Support and Emotional Assistance for IDF Veterans ‎1-800-363-363
HMOs Emotional Support Hotline for Clalit members

Emotional Support Hotline for Maccabi members

‎*2700

‎*3555

Eran and the Israel Trauma Coalition Help hotline for those suffering from corona related anxiety 1201 ext. 6
Tamar - Eran and the Israel Trauma Coalition Arabic help hotline for those suffering from corona related anxiety 1201 ext. 2

Additional Publications

Credits

English translation and maintenance by The Shira Pransky Project.