Disability Evaluation at the National Insurance Institute

Dealing with unusual mental conditions can have a big impact on daily life, functioning normally, and how you act. People with mental health disabilities often face problems and difficulties because of their illness, such as not being able to work, having trouble focusing, judging, and functioning, and having trouble maintaining relationships, interacting with others, and so on.

The National Insurance Institute may be able to give you a disability benefit if an illness, disorder, or mental health disability makes it very hard for you to do normal things.

Evaluation of mental health disability

According to Israeli law, people with mental health disabilities can get benefits, help, and rehabilitation services. They can also get other rights in areas like housing and education.

Because you need to get all of these things and use your rights, it is important that your mental health disability is recognized.
Get in touch with National Insurance and make a claim for a disability benefit if you have a mental health disability. Important to know is that before contacting the National Insurance Institute, determine your eligibility and then continue with the application for a disability benefit.

If you want to try to receive rehabilitation services without going the mental health disability route, you can contact a psychiatrist who is certified on the subject in order to establish a mental health disability. This determination can entitle you to receive ‘Rehabilitation Basket’ services of the Ministry of Health without eligibility for a benefit from the National Insurance Institute.

Eligibility for a child disability benefit for mental health disability

If your child has a mental health disability, such as psychosis or any other psychiatric condition, they may qualify for a disability benefit from the National Insurance Institute. In addition, there are several mental health disabilities that may entitle the party to a child’s disability benefit (if they satisfy all of the eligibility criteria):

1. A child with a dangerous condition who requires constant adult supervision (partially or fully), for example a chronic illness, a behavioral problem, a life-threatening allergy, an intellectual disability etc.
2. A child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

For a list of diseases and disabilities that qualify for a child’s disability benefit from the National Insurance Institute

If your child belongs to one of the groups mentioned, you should check whether they also meet the additional eligibility criteria for receiving a disability benefit. These criteria relate to residency in Israel, residence in Israel and the child’s therapeutic framework.

For Information about the eligibility criteria on the National Insurance Institute website

Claim for a disability benefit for a child with a mental health disability

Once you have confirmed that your child satisfies all of the eligibility criteria, a claim for disability benefit can be filed with the National Insurance Institute. The following documents must be completed and submitted for the claim:

1. Claim form for disabled child benefit.
2. Confirmation from the treating psychiatrist’s clinic that includes the therapeutic plan.

If the documents that you submitted are insufficient to establish eligibility for the benefit, the child may be summoned to the medical board.