General Disability and Special Services - Comprehensive Guide

Complete Guide to General Disability Allowance and Special Services Allowance

Updated for 2025

Introduction

The National Insurance Institute provides allowances and financial support to people whose work capacity has been impaired due to a medical condition. General disability allowance and special services allowance are two key benefits designed to help people with disabilities maintain an adequate standard of living and fund their daily needs. Our firm specializes in comprehensive legal support in the National Insurance field.

This guide provides all the information you need about eligibility requirements, the claims process, dealing with medical committees, and important tips for maximizing your rights. Experience shows that professional legal support can make a significant difference in the outcome.

Part 1: General Disability Allowance

What is General Disability Allowance?

General disability allowance is a monthly benefit paid by the National Insurance Institute to people whose work capacity has been significantly impaired due to a medical condition. It's important to understand that the purpose of the allowance is to compensate for loss of earning capacity and not for the mere existence of the medical disability.

This means a person can have a high medical disability but not be entitled to the allowance if they are capable of working and earning, and vice versa - a person with relatively low medical disability may be entitled to full allowance if their work capacity is significantly impaired.

Eligibility Requirements for General Disability Allowance

To be eligible for general disability allowance, all the following conditions must be met:

1. Age: An Israeli resident who is 18 years old and has not yet reached retirement age (67 for men, 62-65 for women depending on year of birth).
2. Minimum medical disability: A medical disability of at least 60% has been determined (or 40% when there are multiple impairments and at least one is 25% or more).
3. Loss of earning capacity: Earning capacity has decreased by at least 50% due to the medical disability.
4. Work income: Income from work is less than 7,990 NIS gross per month (as of January 2025).

Homemakers

A married woman who does not work and does not live separately from her spouse will be assessed according to her ability to function in household duties. In such cases, eligibility for the allowance is examined based on the degree of impairment in household functioning capacity rather than earning capacity.

Incapacity Levels and Allowance Amounts

There are four levels of incapacity that qualify for general disability allowance. The allowance amount is determined according to the level of incapacity:

Incapacity Level	Monthly Amount	Notes
100% or 75%	4,556 NIS	Full level - full allowance
74%	3,106 NIS	Partial level
65%	2,800 NIS	Partial level
60%	2,629 NIS	Partial level - minimum for eligibility

Allowance supplements:

• Spouse supplement: Up to 1,468 NIS (at full incapacity level), provided the spouse's income does not exceed 7,581 NIS per month and they are not receiving another allowance.
• Children supplement: Up to 1,175 NIS per child (up to two children), for children up to age 18 or up to age 24 if serving in the army/national service.

The Laron Law - Working While Receiving Allowance

The Laron Law (Amendment 109 to the National Insurance Law) allows people with disabilities to work without losing their allowance eligibility. This is a significant change designed to encourage the integration of people with disabilities into the workforce.

Key points of the Laron Law:

• As long as income from work is less than 7,990 NIS gross per month - the allowance will be paid in full.
• Above this amount, the allowance will gradually decrease, but total income (salary + allowance) will always be higher than the allowance alone.
• The determined incapacity level will not be reduced or revoked due to increased earnings from work.
• National Insurance cannot summon for re-examination solely because of going to work.

Important to know: If you stopped working or your medical condition worsened, you can immediately return to receiving the full allowance. This is a "safety net" that allows you to try integrating into work without fear.

Application Process for General Disability Allowance

Step 1: Preparing Documents

Before submitting the claim, gather the following documents:

1. Identity card
2. Updated medical documents (hospitalization summaries, specialist letters, test results)
3. Pay slips (if working) - last 12 months
4. Certificate of periods of incapacity for work (if relevant)
5. Bank account details

Step 2: Submitting the Claim

The claim can be submitted using the General Disability Allowance Claim Form (Form 21.01) at the National Insurance branch nearest to your residence, or online on the National Insurance website. It is recommended to submit the claim as early as possible, as eligibility for the allowance begins from the date of claim submission (and in some cases retroactively up to 12 months).

Step 3: The Medical Committee

After submitting the claim, you will be summoned to appear before a medical committee. The committee consists of a specialist doctor in the field relevant to your disability and a secretary. If you have multiple impairments in different areas, you may be summoned to several committees.

During the committee:

• The doctor will review the medical documents in the file
• You will be asked to describe your medical condition and its effect on your daily functioning
• The doctor may perform a basic physical examination
• At the end of the committee, the medical disability percentages and incapacity level will be determined

Important Tips for the Medical Committee

1. Bring all medical documents: Even if you submitted documents with the claim, bring copies to the committee. Make sure you have recent documents from the last few months.
2. Describe a typical day: Explain how the disability affects your daily life - sleep difficulties, mobility limitations, difficulties performing basic activities.
3. Be honest but don't minimize: Don't try to appear in better condition than the actual situation. Describe the situation on a difficult day, not just a good day.
4. Come with an escort: It's permitted to come with a family member or lawyer. An escort can help you feel more comfortable and remember important details.
5. Consider legal representation: A lawyer specializing in National Insurance knows the criteria, knows which documents are important, and how to present the case optimally.

Part 2: Special Services Allowance

What is Special Services Allowance?

Special Services Allowance is a monthly benefit paid to people who need assistance from others in performing basic daily activities or constant supervision. The allowance is intended to help fund personal care expenses and enable people with severe disabilities to live with dignity in their home environment.

Important to understand: Special Services Allowance is not a substitute for general disability allowance but an addition to it. Both allowances can be received simultaneously.

Eligibility Requirements for Special Services Allowance

Eligibility for Special Services Allowance is conditional on meeting the following conditions:

• Age: Over 18 and up to retirement age (after retirement age - check eligibility for nursing allowance).
• Residence: Living at home (not in a nursing or rehabilitation institution).
• Receiving general disability allowance: With medical disability of at least 60%, or -
• Not receiving disability allowance: But with medical disability of at least 75%.
• Dependence on others: Needs help performing daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, hygiene) or constant supervision.
• Not receiving: Special work injury allowance, nursing allowance, or personal care payment under another law.

Special Services Allowance Amounts (2025)

The allowance amount is determined according to the degree of dependence on others' help:

Rate	Amount	Who is Eligible
50%	1,881 NIS	Needs significant help with most daily activities
112%	4,353 NIS	Needs help with all daily activities or constant supervision
188%	6,948 NIS	Completely dependent on another person for all daily activities
235%	8,828 NIS	Completely dependent + needs constant supervision

Special supplements:

• Ventilated person supplement: Additional 10,421 NIS for those with 188% eligibility or higher who use a ventilator.
• Two foreign workers supplement: Additional 6,947 NIS for those employing two caregivers with a permit.

Dependence Assessment (ADL)

To determine eligibility for Special Services Allowance, a dependence assessment (ADL - Activities of Daily Living) is conducted to examine functioning ability in daily activities. The assessment can be conducted at your home by an examiner from the National Insurance.

Activities assessed:

• Mobility: Ability to move from bed to chair, walking inside and outside the home
• Dressing and undressing: Ability to put on and take off clothes independently
• Bathing: Ability to bathe in a bathtub or shower
• Eating: Ability to eat independently
• Continence: Control over physiological needs
• Personal hygiene: Brushing teeth, shaving, combing, etc.

Part 3: Appeals and Legal Proceedings

Appealing a Medical Committee Decision

If you are dissatisfied with the medical committee's decision, you have the right to appeal. Appeals are an important tool for exercising rights, and many appeals are accepted when properly submitted with professional support.

Appealing Medical Disability Percentages

You can appeal if less than 80% medical disability was determined:

1. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the National Insurance branch within 60 days of receiving the decision notification.
2. The appeal will be heard by a medical appeals committee consisting of two or three doctors.
3. New medical documents or expert opinions can be attached to the appeal.

Appealing Incapacity Level

You can appeal the incapacity level if a level of 74% or less was determined, or if it was decided that you did not lose earning capacity. The appeal will be heard by an incapacity (appeals) committee.

Note: The medical appeals committee has the authority to reduce disability percentages. However, if the committee considers reducing percentages, it will notify you and you can cancel the appeal and keep the original percentages.

Appeal to Labor Court

An appeals committee decision can be appealed to the Regional Labor Court within 60 days. This appeal is limited to legal questions only, such as: procedural defects, lack of reasoning, or violation of the examinee's rights.

Part 4: Related Benefits for Disability Allowance Recipients

Beyond the monthly allowance, general disability allowance recipients are entitled to various additional benefits:

Disabled Person Certificate

Anyone with permanent disability of 20% or more is entitled to a disabled person certificate granting discounts and benefits: public transportation discounts, queue exemption, discounts at sites and museums, and exemption from payment for an escort.

Property Tax Discount

General disability allowance recipients with incapacity level of 75% or more, or medical disability of 90% or more, are entitled to a property tax discount. The discount amount is determined by the local authority and can reach up to 80%.

National Insurance Premium Exemption

General disability allowance recipients at 75% or more are exempt from paying National Insurance premiums on the allowance and non-work income.

Public Transportation Discounts

General disability allowance recipients with incapacity level exceeding 74% are entitled to a 50% discount on bus and train travel.

Water and Electricity Discounts

Special services allowance recipients are entitled to a 50% discount on electricity rates and increased water quota at reduced price.

Income Tax Exemption

Those with medical disability of 90% or more (including special calculation), or 100% for one impairment, may be entitled to income tax exemption. The exemption is granted up to an annual income ceiling updated yearly.

Purchase Tax Discount

General disability allowance recipients with permanent incapacity level of 75% or more, or medical disability of 90% or more, may be entitled to a purchase tax discount when buying an apartment.

Rent Assistance

The Ministry of Construction and Housing provides rent assistance to disabled people meeting certain criteria. The assistance amount depends on family status, residence area and income.

Part 5: Why Hire a Lawyer?

The process of obtaining general disability allowance or special services is a complex process involving medical, legal and bureaucratic aspects. Professional legal support can make a significant difference in results:

System Knowledge

A lawyer specializing in National Insurance knows the criteria, the list of impairments, and committee practices. They know which documents are important, how to present the case, and what common mistakes to avoid.

Committee Preparation

Proper preparation for the medical committee is critical. A lawyer will help you prepare the relevant documents, explain what to expect at the committee, and accompany you at the committee itself to ensure important information is presented optimally.

Appeal Representation

If the claim was rejected or lower percentages than expected were determined, a lawyer will know how to identify errors in the decision and formulate a professional appeal with high chances of success.

Full Rights Realization

Many are unaware of all the rights they are entitled to. A lawyer will examine the case comprehensively and ensure you receive all your rights: disability allowance, special services, mobility, tax exemption, and more.

For more information on related topics, visit our expertise pages: insurance claims, disability benefit claims, and loss of earning capacity claims.

Contact Ron-Pestinger Law Office

Our firm specializes in comprehensive legal support in the National Insurance field, including general disability claims, special services, mobility, and income tax exemption. We accompany our clients from the first stage of claim submission, through medical committees, to appeals in courts as needed.

What we offer:

• Free initial consultation to examine eligibility
• Full support in preparing the claim and documents
• Representation at medical committees
• Filing appeals and representation in courts
• Assistance in fully realizing all rights and benefits

Contact us today for a free initial consultation

Disclaimer: The information in this guide is accurate as of writing and is updated from time to time. Amounts and conditions may change. The information does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for personal advice. To clarify your specific rights, it is recommended to consult a lawyer specializing in the field.