Oncology patients and those recovering may be entitled to advantages and benefits from the National Insurance and other organizations, which aim to make it easier for them to cope with cancer and its consequences.
On this page, we have compiled for you all the information about the advantages and benefits you are entitled to, from the moment the disease is discovered until recovery, including the convalescence period.
We wish you a full and speedy recovery.
"First Class" service for hospital patients
If you were hospitalized - you can submit claims for general disability pension and attendance allowance directly from the hospital as part of the "First Class" service - a joint service of the National Insurance Institute and the hospital.
A hospital social worker will come to you to sign the forms and forward them, along with the medical documents, directly to the National Insurance Institute, without you having to do anything.
If you are filing a claim on your own, you must attach all medical documents in your possession, including the treatment program.
For more information on the 'First Class' service
General disability pension
Oncology patients and convalescents who are unable to work, or whose ability to work has significantly decreased, may be eligible for a general disability pension.
How to check your eligibility?
- File a claim for general disability pension, and then you will be summoned to a medical board to determine the degree and percentage of medical disability.
- For new claims or for those recovering, in some cases it is possible to determine the percentage of medical disability and the right to a pension based on medical documents alone without having to appear before the board, according to a doctor's decision.
- The eligibility determined for you can be temporary or permanent - depending on your medical condition.
- Permanent medical disability percentages will be determined according to certain criteria: Determination of disability due to malignant solid tumors (circular in Hebrew)
- If you receive mental health care, please provide supporting documents from the treating entity.
- Toward the end of the temporary eligibility and during the recovery period, you will be asked to send up-to-date medical documents about your condition and documents that support your inability to return to work, for the purpose of examining your continued eligibility. If you have recovered and do not wish to be examined, you can contact us to request the cancellation of board hearing.
Important tip!
You can receive free consultation and preparation services for medical boards at the Helping Hand Center. To schedule an appointment, call *2496
For more information on conditions of eligibility for general disability pension
Attendance allowance
An attendance allowance is paid to anyone who needs important help with daily activities, such as dressing, eating, bathing, mobility, or needs oversight and supervision to prevent danger to themselves or others.
Important to know - the attendance allowance is a monthly benefit paid in money, which the National Insurance Institute pays to people with severe disabilities who need help with daily activities and household activities, and to anyone whose illness has affected their daily functioning.
How to check your eligibility?
Patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, please note!
For you convenience during this period, if you are taking a medicine from this list of medicines - you will automatically be entitled to an attendance allowance at a rate of 50%, for six months, based on medical documents only.
If you are not takin any medicine from that list, after submitting the claim you will be summoned to a medical board to examine your level of dependency / functioning and your ability to perform daily activities.
Upon completion of chemotherapy treatments, it is important to submit up-to-date medical documents detailing the physical and mental consequences of the treatment and the resulting impairments, in order to examine your continued eligibility for the pension.
For information on the conditions of entitlement to the attendance allowance
Vocational rehabilitation
For those recovering from an oncological disease for which a permanent medical disability of 20% or more has been determined, the National Insurance stands by your side even during the recovery phase and offers you vocational rehabilitation services, when it is not possible to return to your previous employment, in accordance with the established criteria.
Important information! Vocational rehabilitation is available even if you do not receive a disability pension.
The service includes:
- Occupational diagnosis
- Financing of academic or vocational studies and financing of study materials
- Assistance with job placement
The social workers of the Rehabilitation Department will prepare a personal rehabilitation plan for you, and will accompany you through the rehabilitation process until work integration.
For more information on vocational rehabilitation
Exemption from insurance contributions
A person who receives a general disability pension of 75% or more, permanently or for a continuous period of at least one year - is exempt from paying national insurance contributions on the pension and non-work income, as long as that person receives the pension.
For information on the exemption
Income tax exemption
If you have been granted a medical disability of 90% or above for a period of 185 days or more - you may be eligible for an income tax exemption.
For more information on the income tax exemption
Disability card for sick and recovering people
Disability pension recipients are entitled to a disability card that provides discounts and benefits, such as discounts on public transportation, health maintenance organizations, etc.
Attendance allowance recipients are entitled to a disability card with an exemption from standing in line and paying for an attendant.
To download a digital card and for more information
Benefits from other institutions and organizations
In addition to the benefits from the National Insurance, you can also receive benefits from various institutions and organizations, such as:
- Property tax discounts
- Disabled parking tag
- And a variety of other benefits from public institutions
Check your rights easily using:
A calculator for checking rights in other institutions
Assistance in exercising rights
You can receive free consultation and preparation services for medical boards at the Helping Hand Center. To make an appointment, dial *2496