Benefit rates

As of 1.7.2016, long-term care benefits are calculated based on service units.

One service unit is equal to one care hour.

The benefit rates are determined by the degree of the insured person’s dependency on the help of others or based on the extent of supervision they require.

A person entitled to the benefit can choose one or more of the services they want from the existing basket of services.

The benefit rates in this chapter relate to only two types of services out of the entire range: weekly home care hours and visiting days in a day care center.

It is recommended to consult with the social worker who follows you along the process, to choose the basket of services suitable to you.

Below is a list of three levels, depending on the degree of dependence to the help of others:

• Level A - A person who is largely dependent on the help of others for most routine activities and who requires supervision is entitled to a long-term care benefit equivalent to 9.75 weekly care hours (service units) or equivalent to five weekly care hours (service units) for a person entitled to a reduced benefit due to income.
  For a person who chooses to visit a daycare center:
  - A one-day visit is equivalent to two hours of home care (service units).
  - The maximum number of days for visiting a daycare center is 4.5 days a week (two days a week for a person entitled to a reduced benefit due to income).

• Level B - A person who is greatly dependent on the help of others for most routine activities during most of the day and night is entitled to a long-term care benefit equivalent to 16 weekly care hours (service units) or equivalent to eight weekly care hours (service units) for a person entitled to a reduced benefit due to income.
  For those who choose to visit a daycare center:
  - A one day visit is equivalent to 2.75 hours (service units) of home care.
  - The maximum number of days for visiting a daycare center is 5.5 days a week (two days a week for a person entitled to a reduced benefit due to income).
• Level C - A person who is completely dependent on the help of others for all routine activities during all hours of the day and night and who requires constant supervision is entitled to a long-term care benefit equivalent to 18 weekly care hours (service units) or equivalent to nine weekly care hours (service units) for a person entitled to a reduced benefit due to income.
  For those who choose to visit a daycare center:
  - A one day visit is equivalent to 2.75 hours (service units) of home care.
  - The maximum number of days for visiting a daycare center is six days a week (three days a week for a person entitled to a reduced benefit due to income).

Additional care hours at home

A person who is entitled to a long-term care benefit – whether they receive care hours at home, visiting hours at a daycare center or any other service from the basket of services – may receive additional care hours at home if they meet all the following conditions:

1. The person is greatly dependent on the help of others for most routine activities during most hours of the day or night or is completely dependent on the help of others for all routine activities during all hours of the day and night, or requires constant supervision.
2. The person employs an Israeli caregiver.
3. The person does not have a permit to employ a foreign worker and does not employ a foreign worker or their permit to employ a foreign worker is frozen.

A person interested in receiving additional hours, and who has a valid permit to employ a foreign worker but does not actually employ a foreign worker – should contact the Ministry of Interior, the Population and Immigration Authority, and request to freeze the permit to employ a foreign worker in the long-term care branch.

See here for clarifications at the Ministry of Interior, the Population and Immigration Authority, Long-term Care Branch.

A person who meets all the above conditions but does not receive the additional hours should contact their National Insurance Institute branch to clarify the matter.

Rates of additional care hours

• Those entitled to 16 weekly hours under Level B (16 service units) – will receive three additional weekly hours (three service units).
• Those entitled to eight weekly hours under Level B (eight service units) – will receive 1.5 additional weekly hours (1.5 service units).
• Those entitled to 18 weekly hours under Level C (18 service units) – will receive four additional weekly hours (four service units).
• Those entitled to nine weekly hours under Level C (nine service units) – will receive two additional weekly hours (two service units).