Utilization of social benefits for people with mental health disabilities

General disability pension  

If your mental health disability prevents you from working or if your ability to work has diminished because of the state of your health, you may be owed a monthly pension. 

More information about the eligibility criteria and how to submit a claim on the National Insurance website 

Work disability pension 

If a work-related accident has resulted in your mental health disability, you may be owed a monthly pension. 

For more information about work disability pension

Vocational rehabilitation - studies and job integration 

If a mental health disability of at least 20% permanently was established for you, you apparently are eligible to receive professional rehabilitation from National Insurance. Professional rehabilitation is accompanied by counseling from a social worker and includes preparation of an individual rehabilitation plan and supervision ahead of job integration.  

The rehabilitation plan may include:  

• Vocational diagnosis and professional orientation. 
• Academic or vocational studies. 
• Payment of study-related expenses. 
• Payment of rehabilitation fees during training or studies (for those who do not receive a disability pension or who receive a partial pension). 
• Work preparation workshops. 
• Assistance in job placement. 

Important to know: 

• Eligibility for vocational rehabilitation may be received even without being eligible for disability pension.  

• Eligibility for vocational rehabilitation from National Insurance does not replace or cancel eligibility for the rehabilitation basket from the Ministry of Health. 

• Eligibility for academic expenses is a one-time event. 

For more information on vocational rehabilitation on the National Insurance website 

Disability Certificate (exemption from waiting on lines)  

A certificate that grants benefits and discounts in various entities, such as discount on public transportation, and one of the following options: 

• Exemption from waiting on line. 
• Exemption from waiting on line and from payment for a companion. 

More information about the disability card and exemption from waiting on line on the National Insurance website 

Exemption from payment of National Insurance fees.  

If you are being paid a permanent general disability pension of 75% or higher or temporary pension for at least one consecutive year, or if a work disability pension was established for 100% permanent, you may also be eligible for an exemption from payment of National Insurance fees. 

• The exemption is automatically granted for eligible non-working candidates.  
• There is no exemption for salaried or self-employed individuals.  

More information about exemption from payment of National Insurance fees on the National Insurance website 

Rehabilitation basket and inclusion of people with mental health disabilities in the community  

Individuals who are eligible for a medical disability due to a mental health disability of 40% or more by National Insurance with certain diagnoses can also receive a basket of benefits and services known as the “Rehabilitation Basket”, by virtue of the Community Rehabilitation of Persons with Mental Health Disability Law. These services include counseling, supervision and personal support in various areas of life, in accordance with the Rehabilitation Basket Board decisions to which the application for basket services is submitted. 

The services that are given are divided according to various levels of support; based on your mental state and ability to function, and include, among other things: 

• Housing: Residence in hostels, supportive community and sheltered housing; supervision in independent living, assistance in purchasing initial equipment for residential purposes. For more information about housing services in the rehabilitation basket
• Employment: employment clubs, supportive employment program (sheltered workshop), employment ventures, etc. For more information about employment services in the rehabilitation basket 
• Education: completion of education and computer studies. For more information about educational services in the rehabilitation basket
• Society and recreation: activities and clubs in the community, social activity for groups of people with mental health disabilities and social mentoring. For more information about social and recreational services in the rehabilitation basket
• Supervision: rehabilitation programs in the community; rehabilitative mentoring. For more information about rehabilitation basket accompaniment
• Dental services: certain dental treatments free of charge. For more information about dental treatments in the rehabilitation basket
• Family counseling and support: receiving assistance at counseling and support centers across the country. For more information about family counseling and support centers

Important to know: If you want to receive rehabilitation and integration services basket without receiving recognition of disability based on the mental health section in National Insurance, you can apply to the personal rehabilitation and integration program under certain conditions.  

More information about the rehabilitation basket and inclusion of people with mental health disabilities in the community 

Individuals recognized as disabled veterans of the IDF and security forces may be eligible to various medical and psychological treatments through the Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Division. 

More information about benefits for disabled IDF and security forces veterans coping with a mental health disability 

If you have an IDF or security forces disability certificate, you are likely entitled to receive a discount on public transportation fees as well. 

More information about eligibility for discounts on public transportation fees 

Discount on bank fees 

If your disability was established at 40% or higher by National Insurance or by the Ministry of Defense, you may be entitled to a monthly discount in fees for 4 transactions carried out by the bank teller. The rate of these transactions will be equivalent to the rate of a transaction on a direct channel (transaction not performed with the help of bank tellers). It is important to note that this benefit is not valid in the postal bank. 

For information about the fee tracks: can be checked in the fees calculator. 

For more information: contact the bank in which your account is being managed.  

Automatic enrollment in the basic discounted fees track 

If your disability was established at 40% or higher by National Insurance or by the Ministry of Defense, you can present confirmation of your disability to the bank and automatically add your account to the basic fees track - pursuant to this being your preferred track. The addition is made once a year, in March. This track includes up to 10 transactions on the direct channel (transaction not performed with the help of a bank teller. The cost of this track is reduced.  

It is important to note that this benefit is not valid in the postal bank. 

For more information: contact the bank in which your account is being managed. 

If you are eligible to receive a general disability pension, you, your partner and your children (under the age of 18) are eligible for an exemption from payment of fees in the HMO for the following services:  

• Visit with an occupational physician. 
• Prior authorization form for the hospital 
• visit to outpatient institutes and clinics 

If you receive a general disability pension and your eligibility was stopped due to your income from work, you are entitled to receive this exemption for 36 months.  

Important to know: The benefits should be automatically granted (National Insurance sends the information to the HMO). 

For more information: contact your HMO. 

•  More information about benefits for insured members of Clalit Health Services  
• More information about benefits for insured members of Maccabi Health Care Services  
• More information about benefits for insured members of Meuhedet Health Services 
• More information about benefits for insured members of Leumit Health Care Services  

If you have had disability established, you may also be eligible to receive an exemption from payment of income tax. 

More information and terms of eligibility on the Tax Authority website 

Discount on property taxes  

If you are eligible to receive a disability pension due to a level of incapacity of 75% or higher or medical disability of 90% and higher, you may be eligible for a discount in property taxes. The amount of the discount depends on the local authority.  

For more information: you must contact the local authority in your place of residence.  

If you are eligible to receive a general disability pension due to a medical disability of 70% or higher, you may be eligible to receive a reduced rate for additional water consumption of up to 3.5 cubic meters per month (ordinarily, consumption exceeding 3.5 cubic meter fo water is charged according to a higher rate). If you received a general disability pension and your eligibility was stopped due to your income from work, you may be entitled to receive this discount for 36 months. 

Important to know:  

• The benefit should be automatically granted (National Insurance sends the information to the water authority). 
• To receive the discount, your residential address must be updated in the Ministry of the Interior. 

For more information Water Authority website 

If you are eligible to receive a general disability pension due to a level of incapacity of 75% or higher and/or are eligible to receive a special services pension medical of 112%, and you have been in the country for less than two years, you may be eligible for assistance in paying rent to rent an apartment in a free market (not from family). 

For more information about rent assistance: Ministry of Housing and Construction 

For more information about eligibility and conditions: “Guide to Receiving Apartment Rental Assistance” 

If you are eligible to receive a disability pension from work at a rate of at least 50%, you may also be eligible for an exemption from payment of various fees when registering real estate transactions and deals. 

For more information: Land Registration Office website