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Mental Health Disability Vocational Rehabilitation

Dr. Yael Gor Kol, Director of the National Social Work Service;  Racheli Sharon Gerti, Director of the Department of Social Work in Mental Health, Ministry of Health
16 June 2025

The National Insurance Institute offers this service to people with mental health disabilities who have been diagnosed with a medical disability (including a mental health disability) of 20% or more, from the age of 18 until retirement age, and who are unable to work in a job that matches their education and work experience. The goal of the service is to help people get back into the working world by giving them professional orientation and training.
It is important to know that if you meet the requirements for this service, the money for your study program will only be given to you once. This will let the right people check out your mental health and see how well you can do in school. You must submit a claim to the National Insurance Institute to receive the vocational rehabilitation.

Vocational rehabilitation services

In order to be eligible for vocational rehabilitation, an employee must make their own rehabilitation plan and be supervised by a social worker from the Rehabilitation Division. The following are some of the benefits of the service:

  • Vocational diagnosis and professional orientation.
  • Vocational workshops, various professional preparatory programs, and preparation for integration at work.
  • Participation in financing academic or professional studies in all recognized institutions for higher education.
  • The payment of additional study-related expenses, such as travel expenses and academic equipment, is required.
  • Assistance in finding work.
  • Security income—a benefit that may only be received if the individual is not eligible for a full disability benefit.

More information about services, claims, and how to contact the National Insurance Institute (Hebrew)

Even if you are not eligible for a disability pension, you may be eligible to receive professional rehabilitation services from the National Insurance Institute if you have qualified for permanent disability of at least 20% and have not yet reached retirement age.

Vocational rehabilitation is a one-time service for individuals with medical disabilities (including mental health disabilities) from the age of 18 until the age of retirement who are unable to work in a job that corresponds with their employment experience and education. The service aims to offer professional orientation and training, thereby facilitating reintegration into the workforce.

Given that funding an academic program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it is crucial to accurately assess one's mental state and ability to handle academic tasks.

Important to know

Important to know

If your condition prevents you from undergoing vocational rehabilitation and you are eligible for a disability pension, you may be able to transfer this right to your partner.

Information about the eligibility criteria for the partner on the National Insurance Institute website (Hebrew)

Creating a rehabilitation plan

Eligibility to receive vocational rehabilitation involves the creation of an individual rehabilitation plan and professional supervision of the employee from a social worker from the Rehabilitation Division. We will provide advice on choosing a course of study and employment during the plan formulation process, and with your cooperation, we will customize the plan to your needs, abilities, and skills, taking into account the demands of the labor market. If necessary, other parties will participate in the process, such as psychologists and rehabilitation specialists, professional diagnosticians, and so on.

Additionally, you will receive placement services to quickly enter the workforce after completing the course of study, which will be decided with you during rehabilitation.

Additional information about the educational plans and vocational training is on the National Insurance Institute website (Hebrew)

Vocational rehabilitation services

All of these advantages are available as part of vocational rehabilitation:

  • Vocational diagnosis and professional orientation.
  • Vocational workshops, various vocational preparatory programs, and preparation for integration at work.
  • Participation in financing academic or professional studies in all recognized institutions for higher education.
  • Payment of additional study-related expenses such as travel expenses and academic equipment.
  • Assistance in finding work.

Rehabilitation security income

You might also be eligible for a benefit known as a rehabilitation security income if you meet the requirements for the vocational rehabilitation program and do not qualify for a full disability benefit.

Additional information about the rehabilitation security income is on the National Insurance Institute website (Hebrew)

For Your Information

For Your Information

If you are approved for a rehabilitation security income, you will not have to pay a deductible for HMO services.

Make a claim for vocational rehabilitation

To receive the vocational rehabilitation service, a claim must be submitted on the National Insurance Institute website. The claim can be submitted through an online form (in Hebrew) or manually to the Rehabilitation Department at the National Insurance branch closest to the place of residence.

Information about how to claim vocational rehabilitation from the National Insurance Institute (Hebrew)

Vocational Rehabilitation for People with Mental Health Disabilities

More information about vocational rehabilitation, studies, and job integration for people with mental health disabilities is on the National Insurance website.

More information on the National Insurance Institute website