By Doreen Winter, Social worker at Seeach Sod

Dear parents,

We wanted to share with you the following benefits that might be relevant for you in light of your child’s disability.

It is important to emphasize that the purpose of this compilation is to inform you of a possibility of entitlement of some specific discounts, but that each case is examined individually in order to check the compliance of specific criteria required from various government offices.

1. Allowances from National Insurance for Special Needs Families

A. Bituach Leumi (National Insurance) for a disabled child from birth/91 days (age 3 months) until age 18 years.

Monthly pension benefits are available from the National Insurance Institute for parents caring for a child with disability according to the following defined criteria; Severe developmental delay / a child needing constant supervision / a child in need of the constant presence of another person / a child with a special impairment, or in need of special medical treatment, and /or receiving regular medication.

B. Dependency on assistance from others. 

Eligibility will be reviewed again from the age of 3. An allowance is available for children who; are dependent upon the help of others more so than others of his/her age, a child who requires assistance due to lack of verbal communication, and/or a child who has a special impairment, or is in need of special medical treatment. 

C. Mobility allowance may be given to children aged 3 and over who have restrictions in mobility.

2. WATER ALLOWANCE: Automatic help with payments for water bills.

3. ELECTRICITY ALLOWANCE: Automatic discount to parents of a child who receives a disabled child allowance, or needs constant medical care. The charges are covered by Bituach Leumi.

4. BEZEK (PHONE) DISCOUNTS: Bezek offers discount packages to families who have a child receiving a 100% disability pension. One can download and fill out an application for this discount and then turn it in to the social services department, or send the completed form to Ms. Ahuva Rubes, Department of Rehabilitation, Welfare Division, POB 1260, Jerusalem. Download the document here: http://www.bezeq.co.il/media/PDF/DISCOUNT.pdf.

5. MUNICIPAL TAX DISCOUNT (ARNONA): Parents of a special needs child who receives a disability pension from the National Insurance are entitled to a reduction of municipal taxes. Contact the local Authority of Municipal Taxes and request a discount application form. You must present a current statement of a disabled child allowance.

Working Parents:

1. ABSENCE OR SICK DAYS: Parents of a special needs child may be eligible for up to 52 hours paid by the employer if absences from work are for the purpose of providing personal assistance to a special needs son or daughter. In effect, getting paid, “as if” while at work. In addition, a parent is entitled to be absent from work for the purpose of providing personal assistance to a special needs child for up to 18 sick days per year effective from the first day of absence.

2. TAX CREDITS: The Income tax department offers two tax credits to parents of children with special needs. This means that credits are offered as a reduction in the amount of taxes paid from salaries. Parents are entitled if the child is disabled, or if the child was approved by the Placement committee and assigned to a special education preschool.

There is a website called “Makom Meyuchad” that provides reliable and timely information relevant to families of children with special needs. The site is in Hebrew only.

Please feel free to call me or email me with any questions. If I cannot answer, kindly leave me a message and I will return your call.

Doreen Winter, Social worker at Seeach Sod

[email protected]

0533123233

Good luck!!