Social Security Lawyer
General Disability Claim — National Insurance Institute
A general disability pension is paid by the National Insurance Institute to individuals who are unable to work, or whose earning capacity has been reduced due to a health condition. Qualifying conditions include illness, accident, or birth defect, and the impairment may be physical or mental in nature.
By Igal Mor, Adv. & Notary
Accuracy in Legal Advice. Excellence in legal support.
Filing a General Disability Claim
Receiving a general disability pension requires filing a formal claim with the National Insurance Institute, accompanied by relevant medical documentation that accurately reflects the claimant’s medical condition. After submitting the claim with all necessary documents, the claimant must appear before a National Insurance medical committee. The type of committee depends on the nature of the claim; if multiple medical issues exist, the claimant will be summoned to multiple committees. Each committee consists of one physician who reviews the submitted medical documentation, questions the claimant, and may perform a physical examination. Based on these findings, the committee determines the claimant’s medical impairment and translates it into a disability percentage and degree of incapacity. If the conditions outlined below are met and the claimant satisfies all eligibility requirements, a monthly pension will be awarded.
Eligibility Requirements for a General Disability Pension
To receive a general disability pension, the claimant must be a resident of Israel, over 18 years of age, and below retirement age, and must meet the following conditions: Income from work: The claimant is not working at all, or earns less than 60% of the average wage (currently approximately NIS 6,614). Medical disability: The National Insurance Institute has determined a medical disability of at least 60%, or at least 40% where multiple medical conditions exist and at least one condition carries a disability rating of 25% or more. Degree of incapacity: Due to the disability, the claimant is unable to work at all, or their earning capacity has decreased by at least 50%, and they have been assigned a degree of incapacity of 60%, 65%, 74%, or 100%.
General Disability Pension Amounts
The monthly pension amount is determined by the degree of incapacity and ranges from approximately NIS 1,903 to NIS 3,312 per month, with periodic adjustments. Additional supplements may be added for children and a spouse, subject to eligibility conditions. If the claimant returns to work, the monthly benefit will decrease; however, the combined income from work and benefits will always exceed the benefit amount alone. Importantly, receiving a disability pension may also entitle the insured to additional benefits, including property tax and electricity discounts, a disability card, and housing assistance.
Appeal Proceedings
Decisions issued as part of a general disability claim—including the disability percentage, degree of incapacity, and other determinations—may be appealed. Medical decisions (disability percentage and degree of incapacity) can be appealed to the Medical Appeals Committee within 60 days of receiving the decision notice. Other decisions by the claims officer, such as income level and education assessments, can be appealed to the Regional Labor Court within 12 months of the decision notice.
Re-Examination of a Disability Claim
In addition to the appeal process, claimants may request a re-examination of their medical disability percentage and degree of incapacity through three routes: Six-month waiting period: If the claim was denied due to an insufficient disability percentage or degree of incapacity, or if a partial pension was awarded, a new examination may be requested after six months. Income reduction: If the claim was denied due to high income and that income subsequently decreases, a new claim may be filed without any waiting period. Worsening condition: A re-examination of the medical disability percentage may be requested without waiting, provided a 75% or 100% degree of incapacity was previously determined, at least 12 months have passed since the last examination, a physician has confirmed the worsening, and the claimant is not hospitalized in an institution.
Why Legal Representation Is Essential
Are you ill or have you been injured in an accident? Contact us for a legal consultation. We will guide you through the entire claims process and work to ensure you receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.
With years of experience navigating the complexities of National Insurance proceedings, Mor & Co. understands the challenges involved. Our deep legal knowledge and extensive experience representing clients before the National Insurance Institute and the Labor Court equip us to deliver outstanding results. Unlike rights-extraction companies that lack the legal authority to represent clients before medical committees, our attorneys personally accompany you to hearings and ensure that due process and natural justice are upheld. From the initial claim filing through the preparation of your complete medical file, we protect your interests at every stage. Our team includes attorneys who specialize in disability law and view National Insurance advocacy as a core mission. We offer support in Arabic and English. Contact us today at 02-595-3322 or via WhatsApp at 050-441-1343.