Dim Amor

The right to file a disability claim is granted to every worker whose health has been impaired, even when the injury is not the result of a dramatic event or a severe illness that appeared suddenly. In many cases, this is a gradual and quiet process: a worker arrives at the workplace healthy, but after years of exposure to chemicals, physical strain, or prolonged psychological stress, develops a chronic illness, a respiratory problem, or a functional impairment. Nevertheless, many people are unaware that the law grants them the right to approach the National Insurance Institute and submit a claim for disability benefits.

In some cases, this concerns individuals dealing with anxiety or panic attacks, post-traumatic conditions not related to military service or other tragic events, or fears of illness and hereditary conditions that begin to surface, such as diabetes or hypertension. At times, depression and panic attacks develop against the backdrop of life in a tense and intensive environment, where personal security cannot be taken for granted.

The injury may arise from any cause whatsoever: even a routine medical examination, such as a gastroscopy, that went wrong and caused harm. In such cases, the hospital’s insurance may provide compensation, but this does not prevent the psychological or physical consequences that may follow the incident—panic attacks, depression, or real and persistent abdominal pain.

The legal framework in Israel does not limit the right to file a claim only to particularly severe illnesses, such as malignant diseases or extraordinary medical events. Mental disorders, chronic illnesses, persistent pain, or a combination of several medical conditions may also lead to recognition of disability if they impair daily functioning or earning capacity. The central criterion is not the name of the illness, but the extent of its impact on a person’s life and ability to work.

Thus, people suffering from asthma developed due to exposure to hazardous substances at the workplace, workers who developed back problems as a result of prolonged physical labor, or individuals dealing with mental disorders that impair their functioning—all are entitled to submit a claim. The right is not conditioned on a specific diagnosis alone, but on the actual extent of impairment in functional capacity.

In practice, new immigrants, returning residents, or those who received citizenship on humanitarian grounds are equally entitled to approach the National Insurance Institute, request assistance, and present their case before a medical committee.

At the maakav newsroom, we note that we sometimes encounter mistaken assumptions among applicants, particularly new immigrants, who believe that because they arrived recently, did not serve in the army, or have not worked long enough in the country, they are not entitled to assistance. This perception does not reflect either the letter or the spirit of the law. In the State of Israel, the principle of equality requires that assistance be granted to any person in need who meets the eligibility criteria and is found suitable by the medical committee.

The state, as a central public body, is obligated, among other things, to provide support and protection to vulnerable citizens and those in need, and to act to ensure that their rights are realized in practice.

Many do not apply because they believe “mild” illnesses do not qualify
At the maakav newsroom, we note that one of the main barriers to filing disability claims is a lack of awareness. Many workers and citizens believe that conditions such as hypertension, depression, diabetes, asthma, or other medical problems do not entitle them to disability benefits, and therefore do not approach the National Insurance Institute at all.

Every chronic illness involves complex and sometimes prolonged coping, even when it is not perceived by the public as a “serious” disease like cancer. Many people tend to underestimate conditions such as hypertension or fibromyalgia, based on the mistaken assumption that they cannot justify recognition of disability. However, under the law, even illnesses not defined as severe in the conventional sense may lead to disability recognition, especially when there are cumulative conditions or a combination of several medical impairments.

People suffering from multiple chronic illnesses simultaneously, or those living with a significant condition such as HIV, epilepsy, asthma, or a mental disorder, may be entitled to disability benefits—if their medical condition affects daily functioning or earning capacity.

Eligibility is not determined solely by the name of the illness, but by its overall impact on the person’s medical and functional condition. In many cases, people only discover in retrospect that they met the eligibility criteria for years, but did not exercise their rights.

The right to appear before a medical committee
Every disability claimant is entitled to be examined by a medical committee of the National Insurance Institute. The committee reviews medical documents, conducts an examination if necessary, and determines the percentage of medical disability. After medical disability is established, the degree of incapacity to work or function is also assessed.

The very act of submitting a claim grants the right to be heard by the committee. There is no obligation to prove full eligibility in advance. The committee’s role is to examine the medical condition and its consequences for functioning and earning capacity, and accordingly determine the disability percentage and the rights derived from it.

Is legal representation required
The law does not require claimants to appear before the committee with a lawyer, and the process may be conducted independently. However, many claimants choose legal assistance, especially in complex cases, cumulative illnesses, or after a previous claim has been rejected.

Professional support may help in preparing the medical file, organizing documents, presenting arguments in an orderly manner, and understanding rights and appeal options. In many cases, prior preparation and professional representation influence the outcome of the process and the scope of eligibility.

The right to appeal committee decisions
Even when the committee sets a low disability percentage or rejects the claim, the law grants the right to appeal the decision. It is possible to appeal the determination of medical disability, the degree of incapacity, and even to approach the regional labor court. At the appeal stage, professional legal assistance becomes more important, as the process is more complex both legally and medically.

The economic reality of disability benefits
General disability benefits in Israel, for a person with a degree of incapacity of 75 percent or more, amount as of 2026 to approximately 4,711 shekels per month for a single individual without a spouse or children. This is the basic amount paid by the National Insurance Institute, intended to ensure minimal subsistence for a person unable to earn a full income.

In practice, for many beneficiaries, this is only part of the economic picture. Many people with disabilities are also entitled to housing assistance through programs of the Ministry of Construction and Housing. The assistance varies according to age, family status, area of residence, and income level, but in many cases amounts to about 1,000 shekels per month for a single individual.

Thus, the direct monthly income from benefits and housing assistance reaches approximately 5,700 shekels per month. This amount is intended to cover all living expenses: food, medications, transportation, communications, and other basic needs.

Alongside the benefits, there are also indirect allowances. One of the main ones is a municipal property tax (arnona) discount. Individuals with a degree of incapacity of 75 percent or more are entitled to a significant discount, which in some municipalities reaches about 80 to 90 percent of the charge, usually up to a defined apartment size. The exact discount rate is determined by each local authority in accordance with municipal policy and the law.

Additional benefits are sometimes granted for electricity, water, medications, and public transportation. However, even after taking these benefits into account, the direct monthly income remains relatively low compared to the cost of living in Israel.

For comparison, the minimum wage in Israel exceeds 5,800 shekels per month. This is higher than the total income received by a single disabled person who does not work, even after housing assistance. The gap between disability benefits and the cost of living remains at the center of public and social debate, especially in light of the continued rise in housing, food, and energy prices.

In this reality, disability benefits and the accompanying assistance do not provide prosperity, but rather a basic safety net intended to prevent economic deterioration among people who are unable to support themselves.

You may contact us, and we will connect you with a lawyer specializing in this field for an initial consultation at no cost. You have the right to know your rights—and you are not required to face this process alone.

Phone: 050-4988179 (Sunday–Thursday, 11:00–17:00)
Email: [email protected]

It should be clarified that the maakav newsroom does not provide legal advice. Its role is limited to receiving inquiries and forwarding them to a cooperating lawyer, a specialist in this field who is available to provide an initial consultation at no cost.

This initiative was launched following a large number of inquiries from citizens who were unaware of their rights, and it is carried out on a voluntary basis only, without any commercial or financial character on the part of maakav.

Contacting the newsroom constitutes consent to the transfer of details to the lawyer solely for the purpose of handling the inquiry.

It should be emphasized: the option—or more precisely, the right—to file a disability claim is not reserved only for extreme cases. Any person whose medical condition affects their functioning or earning capacity may approach the National Insurance Institute, appear before a medical committee, and seek legal assistance if needed. Many people discover only in retrospect that they were eligible for benefits for years, but never exercised their rights.