Disabled Child Allowance - Comprehensive Guide

Comprehensive Guide to Disabled Child Allowance

Rights, benefits and allowances for parents of children with special needs

Introduction

The disabled child allowance is a monthly benefit paid by the National Insurance Institute to parents raising a child with medical, developmental, mental or functional disabilities. The allowance is designed to help families cope with the expenses arising from caring for a child with special needs. Our firm specializes in assisting parents through the process of obtaining the allowance and maximizing all entitled benefits.

This guide details eligibility requirements, allowance rates, the application process and related benefits.

Part 1: What is the Disabled Child Allowance?

The disabled child allowance is paid for children from 91 days old up to 18 years and 3 months, who suffer from various disabilities affecting their daily functioning or requiring special medical care.

The allowance is paid to parents to enable them to care for the child within the family and community setting, and is not intended as reimbursement for specific expenses.

Part 2: Basic Eligibility Requirements

• The child is a child of an insured Israeli resident
• The child is located in Israel
• Child's age: 91 days to 18 years and 3 months
• The child suffers from a medical limitation listed in the regulations or is dependent on others' assistance

Part 3: Qualifying Medical Conditions

The regulations specify a list of medical conditions that qualify for the allowance. The main conditions include:

Autism (ASD)

A child diagnosed on the autism spectrum (including PDD, ASD, Asperger's) is automatically entitled to 100% allowance (3,694 NIS), regardless of the severity of the condition. Diagnosis before age 3 - eligibility until age 10 (with need for renewal). Diagnosis after age 3 - permanent eligibility until age 18.

Additional Medical Conditions

• Developmental intellectual disability - moderate to severe
• Down syndrome or other genetic syndromes
• Developmental delay (up to age 3)
• Epilepsy with frequent seizures
• Cerebral palsy (CP)
• Hearing impairment or deafness
• Blindness or severe visual impairment
• Severe chronic diseases (cancer, type 1 diabetes, heart diseases, etc.)
• Psychiatric conditions (psychosis, severe disorders)
• Physical disability affecting function

Child Requiring Ongoing Medical Treatments

A child requiring regular treatment (at least six months) of three or more treatments including: daily medication, specialist clinic follow-up, paramedical treatments, etc.

Part 4: Allowance Rates (2025)

The allowance is calculated as a percentage of the full individual benefit (3,694 NIS):

Rate	Monthly Amount	When Granted
50%	1,847 NIS	Mild limitation, partial dependence
100%	3,694 NIS	Autism, significant limitation
112%	4,137 NIS	Medium-high dependence (8-9 points)
188%	6,947 NIS	Complete dependence on others
235%	8,681 NIS	Complete dependence to an exceptional degree

Part 5: Allowance Supplements

Supplement for Ventilated Child

A child requiring artificial ventilation is entitled to a supplement of 10,421 NIS in addition to the 188% rate allowance.

Supplement for Two Caregivers

A child whose doctor determined requires 2 caregivers, has a permit to employ 2 caregivers, and actually employs 2 caregivers - is entitled to a supplement of 6,947 NIS.

Supplement for Family with Two Disabled Children

A family with two or more disabled children is entitled to an increased allowance of 50% for each child. The increased payment is made automatically.

Part 6: Dependence Assessment

For children aged 3 and above, the allowance rate is also determined by a dependence assessment - an evaluation of the degree of dependence on another person's assistance in daily activities:

• Eating - feeding, food preparation
• Bathing - bath, shower, body cleaning
• Dressing - putting on clothes, shoes
• Mobility - movement at home and outside
• Personal hygiene - using the bathroom, sphincter control

Each area receives a score (points), and the total points determine the allowance rate: 8-9 points = 112%, 10-12 points = 188%, 13 points = 235%.

Part 7: Application Process

1. Gather medical documents: Diagnoses, medical history, expert opinions, educational report
2. Complete application form: Form 7821 - Disabled child allowance claim
3. Submit to National Insurance: Online, by mail or at a branch
4. Medical committee: The child will be invited for examination (unless there is agreement on the condition)
5. Receive decision: Notification of eligibility and allowance rate

Tip: Free counseling is available at the National Insurance "Yad Mechavenet" centers before submitting the claim.

Part 8: Appeals

Appeal to Medical Committee

You can appeal the medical committee's decision to an appeals committee within 90 days of receiving the decision.

Appeal to Labor Court

The appeals committee's decision can be appealed to the Regional Labor Court within 60 days.

Request for Re-examination

If there is a change in the child's condition, you can submit a request for re-examination (Form 7824) at any time.

Part 9: Related Benefits

Eligibility for disabled child allowance opens the door to many additional benefits:

• Disabled person certificate - Automatic issuance
• Exemption from health fund co-payments - Doctor visits and tests
• Water discount - Additional 3.5 cubic meters at reduced price
• Property tax discount - According to local authority
• Income tax credit points - For parents
• Foreign worker employment permit - In certain cases
• Extended sick leave - For working parents
• Dental treatments under general anesthesia - Free for children with autism

Part 10: Combination with Mobility Allowance

Since 2023, children with mobility disabilities can receive both mobility allowance and disabled child allowance under the following conditions:

• At least 80% mobility limitation determined
• Or: Need for wheelchair determined and the child uses it

Why Legal Representation is Recommended

Our attorneys specialize in National Insurance matters and assist many families in obtaining disabled child allowance:

1. Full realization of rights - Ensuring receipt of the maximum entitled rate
2. Proper committee preparation - Gathering documents and highlighting important points
3. Appeal support - Representation in appeals committees and court
4. Related benefits - Assistance in maximizing all benefits arising from eligibility

For more information about insurance claims and disability benefit claims, visit our expertise pages.

Contact Ron-Pestinger Law Office

Parents of a child with special needs? We are here to help you realize all the rights you and your child are entitled to. Our team specializes in handling disabled child claims, from application submission to receiving the maximum allowance.

Contact us for a free initial consultation

Disclaimer: This guide is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Amounts are current as of January 2025 and may change. For personalized advice, please contact our office.