Following the "Iron Swords" war, senior citizens entitled to a long-term care benefit from the National Insurance were forced to avoid leaving home and arriving at the day centers for the elderly, or alternatively, could not host nursing caregivers in their homes because of the war, thus being unable to fully enjoy the care and services to which they are entitled.
The National Insurance took initiative and actively examined the issue and found that tens of thousands of people in nursing condition did not exercise their right and at the same time did not change their treatment plan, and so it turned out that the solutions offered to them were far lower than in normal times. In accordance with the National Insurance service policy, eligible people and their families were located in order to reimburse them for the value of the service they did not receive during the months of October and November.
After a comprehensive examination, the National Insurance found about 47,025 elderly long-term care benefit recipients who did not use their regular services and did not apply for an allowance. In the last week, over NIS 45 million were automatically transferred to their bank accounts.
As may be recalled, in 2018, the long-term care reform was passed which allowed nursing citizens to receive eligibility according to a scale of 6 levels (and not 3 levels only as provided in the past). These degrees allow for assistance and treatment already in an early nursing situation whereas, before the reform, assistance was not granted unless the situation was difficult - therefore these degrees allow nursing citizens to receive preventive care before the situation worsens. As part of the reform, nursing citizens have the option to choose between long-term care hours in services that do not include personal home care, such as day centers, panic buttons, etc., or home care, and between a cash benefit that can be used for any necessary purpose for the citizen. In addition, the long-term care benefit allows all senior citizens to modify the package of benefits according to their health needs and adapt them to their current situation – which was not possible prior to the reform.
National Insurance: "The social benefits granted under the National Insurance belong to citizens of the country who have paid insurance contributions all their lives and we are committed to ensuring that they are fully granted to all those entitled. As part of our service philosophy, we initiated an investigation and found that not all senior nursing citizens received all the help and assistance to which they are entitled as a result of the war and its consequences, and it is our social, professional and human duty to ensure that they receive their rights in full and certainly at this time. The funds were transferred to the bank account in the value of the hours of treatment that were not actually given and thus will allow them to complete the help they need, at their discretion. The National Insurance will be available to senior citizens and ensure that they receive their full rights."
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