Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease that attacks the central nervous system, (meaning the brain and the spinal cord), and it constitutes the primary cause of neurological disability at a young age. MS affects women two to three times more frequently than men, and generally appears between the second and fifth decades of life.
The disease may initially appear in the form of sensory disorders such as feelings of "pins and needles", numbness, decreased sensation, abnormal sensations, muscle weakness, decreased vision, double vision, instability while walking, etc. The severity of the disease varies from patient to patient.

Medications and the Healthcare System

• MS is considered to be a chronic illness, so people with MS are entitled to a medication payment ceiling for the chronically ill.
• Patients who have been determined to be eligible for a General Disability Pension are entitled to an exemption from some health plan fees.
• The Ministry of Health contributes to the funding of mobility and walking devices for those who regularly depend on these devices. For more information see:
  • Assistance Purchasing Mobility Devices
  • Assistance Purchasing Walking Devices
• People with MS are also entitled to Emotional Support to Patients and the Disabled from the Health Funds (Psychological Rehabilitation Treatment)
• People with MS may also be eligible to receive medical cannabis (medicinal marijuana, medicinal grass)

Benefits

• People with MS may be entitled to the following benefits from the National Insurance Institute based on their condition:
  • A Mobility Benefit includes a monetary benefit, special loan conditions for buying a car, and other benefits for those who have limited mobility.
  • Adults whose medical disability is established at least 60% (or at least 40% with one deficiency being at least 25%) and whose earning capacity has been impacted by at least 50% are entitled to a General Disability Pension. For more information, see: Disability Pension and Related Benefits.
  • Those who receive a General Disability Pension for whom medical disability of at least 60% has been established, or those for whom medical disability of at least 75% (with regard to special services) has been established even if they are not General Disability Pension recipients, may be entitled to a Special Services Benefit (Attendance Allowance) if they require significant assistance performing daily activities and meet other conditions of eligibility.
  • Someone who has reached retirement age and is dependent on others in his day to day activity, may be eligible for a Long-Term Care Benefit in accordance to their income.

Taxes

• People with MS may be entitled to tax benefits, according to the established degree of disability and earning incapacity, such as:

• Income Tax Exemption for People with Medical Disability
• Purchase Tax Discount on Residential Property for People with Disabilities
• Municipal Property Tax (Arnona) Discount for People with Disabilities
• Income Tax Credit Points for a Non-Working Spouse
• Exemption from National Insurance Fees for Disability Pension Recipients

Other Benefits

• Those for whom disability has been established may be eligible for other various benefits, even if they are not eligible for a general disability pension. For additional information see Rights for People with Medical Disabilities that are not Contingent on Receiving a Disability Pension.

Housing

• People with MS who have been officially recognized as having disabilities may be entitled to the following benefits related to housing.
  • Public Housing for People with Disabilities
  • Rental Assistance for People with Disabilities
  • Purchase Tax Discount on Residential Property for People with Disabilities
  • Municipal Property Tax (Arnona) Discount for People with Disabilities
  • Discount on the Israel Lands Administration Consent Fee for People with Disabilities
• The Ministry of Construction and Housing provides financial assistance to those with mobility disabilities to enable them to make essential changes and renovations in order to make their homes and access to their homes more accessible. For more information see Assistance Performing Housing Modifications for People with Limited Mobility.

Transportation

• Those who have difficulty walking may be eligible for a Disabled Parking Permit and Exemption from License Fee.
• General Disability Pension recipients are entitled to a discount on public transportation.

Discounts on Electricity and Telephone Bills

• General Disability Pension recipients are entitled to the following discounts:

• Discount on Bezeq Telephone Fees for People with Disabilities
• Water Bill Benefit for Disability Pension Recipients (High Rate Discount)

• For more information on discounts on electricity bills for different pension recipients see:
  • Electricity Bill Discount for Special Services Benefit (Attendance Allowance) Recipients
  • Electricity Bill Discount for Old Age Disability Pension Recipients
  • Electricity Bill Discount for Long-Term Care Benefit Recipients

Additional Information

Aid organizations

• The Israel Multiple Sclerosis Society
• The Home for MS Patients

Government agencies

• The Ministry of Health

Additional publications

• Multiple Sclerosis on Wikipedia
• Multiple Sclerosis on the Clalit website

Credits

• English translation and maintenance by The Shira Pransky Project.