Conditions of entitlement


There are three basic parameters to determine a child's eligibility tor a disabled child allowance. In addition to these parameters, the child's situation must comply with the list of conditions that enable the allowance.

Basic parameters of eligibility for a disabled child allowance

1. The child is the child of an insured person who is an Israeli resident

The child is the child of an insured Israeli resident, or of a person who was insured and died a resident of Israel.

A new immigrant child who immigrated without his parents may be eligible provided he or she immigrated with a guardian or other family member who is one of the following: a sibling, a grandparent, an uncle or aunt.

2. The child is located in Israel

A condition for receiving the allowance is the child being in Israel. A child receiving the allowance who leaves the country will continue receiving the allowance for another three months after his or her departure, as long as they had received the allowance for at least two months prior to the departure.

A child will continue receiving the allowance beyond three months of leaving Israel in the following cases:

  • Medical treatment: An allowance may be paid for 24 months if the child left for a treatment unavailable in Israel, or without sufficient expertise in providing it in Israel.
  • Work abroad for an Israeli employer: An allowance may be paid for 24 months if the child left on account of a parent's employment abroad for an Israeli employer, who continues paying insurance wages for the parent.
  • Work abroad for the state: A child who leaves the country since his or her parent is abroad on an official mission, such as a diplomatic posting, will continue receiving the allowance for the entire duration of the stay.

In all of these cases one must approach the National Insurance Institute prior to leaving Israel.

3. The child lives with a family

The goal of a disabled child allowance is to encourage and enable parents to treat their child within the family framework. In the following cases, a disabled child allowance won't be paid:

  • The child is institutionalized: Since January 2022, an institutionalized child  is entitled to a disabled child allowance. For allowance amount, click here.
  • The child is hospitalized: A disabled child receiving an allowance who is hospitalized for medical treatment or rehabilitation will receive the allowance for one year from being admitted to hospital. At the end of that year, the child's eligibility will be examined, based on the reasons for his or her hospitalization.
  • A child in a foster family: The biological parent of a child living in a foster family is not eligible for a disabled child allowance. A foster family to a child with special needs will receive increased benefits from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, and therefore not entitled to a disabled child allowance from the National Insurance Institute.

Following an amendment to the foster family law, a foster family with a disabled child on a respirator will be eligible for a disability card, supplement for a disabled child on a respirator as well as additional benefits from other institutions.

Please note, a foster family who did not receive a permit or is unable to realize the additional benefits due to invalid or lack of registration at the National Insurance Institute - is asked to contact the fostering inspector of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and Social Services.