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Having trouble walking? Mobility allowance

As is well known, Parkinson's disease can manifest itself in severe tremors in the upper and lower limbs, so this can certainly cause patients to be seriously disabled and as a result have a substantial difficulty in mobility. The National Insurance Institute pays special attention to this and grants rights and benefits as part of the mobility allowance. Insured persons in the National Insurance Institute, who suffer from a medical disability in the lower limbs and are limited in movement may be entitled to pensions. As part of the mobility allowance, it is possible to be entitled to a monthly financial allowance paid in addition to the disability allowance, as a separate allowance, both for car owners and those without a car. In some cases, it is even possible to receive a mobility allowance in addition to a special services allowance, mainly in complex medical situations of nursing patients.

Mobility allowance - a basket of benefits

The mobility benefit is designed to help people who suffer from disabilities in their legs that limit their mobility to integrate into society, the work circle and develop an independent life as much as possible. in fact, The mobility allowance It is only one component as part of a whole basket of benefits given to people who have difficulty with mobility and who are entitled to it as part of the mobility benefit from the National Insurance Institute. Most of the benefits concern car owners, such as: providing a standing loan, for the purpose of fully or partially financing the taxes applicable to the car, a loan for the purchase of special car accessories and their installation, reimbursement of expenses for the purchase of accessories in a private car and their installation, driving lessons in a car with special accessories and even towing services.

It is important to note that eligibility for the mobility allowance does not depend on whether or not the insured has a car, but is given in any case, and its purpose is to help finance whatever mobility expenses they may have. The amount of the mobility allowance varies from period to period and depends on various factors. As of January 1.1.2021, 2,364, the amount of the allowance for those without a car is 2,847 NIS per month for a basic allowance and can reach up to 8,000 NIS in some cases, while the amount of the allowance for car owners varies from insured to insured and ranges widely starting from a few hundred shekels and can reach up to XNUMX NIS Depending on the size of the vehicle, the type of vehicle, the cost of the special accessories it has (if any), the percentage of disability determined, whether the insured earns an income and the distance between his place of residence and the insured's place of work.

Eligibility conditions for car owners

The owner of a vehicle defined by the National Insurance as "restricted in mobility" is entitled to a mobility allowance according to the severity of his impairments, provided that he has not reached retirement age and has a vehicle in his possession, which he drives or, alternatively, is driven by a licensed driver, in accordance with the approval of the National Insurance. The determination of whether an insured person is considered "restricted" "Mobility" is subject to the discretion of the Medical Committee of the Ministry of Health, in accordance with its determinations regarding the deficiencies in the insured's legs. Also, the insured must have a vehicle with a valid driver's license, which the medical committee has determined that the disability rate is at least 40 percent. Those who do not have a driver's license, After all, he is entitled to a mobility allowance only if it is determined that his disability rate is at least 60 percent.

The law in Israel does not allow filing a claim for a mobility benefit for the first time after retirement age, but an insured who was recognized as limited in mobility and received an allowance before retirement age, will be entitled to continue receiving it even after retirement age. It is important to note that if the vehicle was purchased through a standing loan, then the vehicle owner's name must appear on the vehicle license. Whereas if the vehicle was built without using a standing loan, then the vehicle owner's name does not have to appear on the license, and thus, it is sufficient that the ownership be in the name of the spouse or guardian.

Eligibility conditions for those without a car

A mobility allowance for those without a car is paid in order to participate in the mobility expenses of the insured who does not have and owns a car. The eligibility conditions for those without a car are broader, and some would say stricter, which include several alternative options that qualify for an allowance. Thus, an insured who does not own a vehicle at all or whose vehicle is disabled for one reason or another will be entitled to a mobility allowance in the presence of cumulative conditions, as follows:

First option: The insured has reached the age of 18, he has been determined to have a mobility disability of no less than 80 percent, he is earning, that is, his income exceeds a certain amount determined by the National Insurance and the insured is not disabled as defined in the National Insurance Law. A second option: The insured has reached the age of 18, he receives an allowance special services And he was determined to have a total disability in mobility, meaning 100 percent or the medical committee determined that he needs a wheelchair and that he actually uses it. Third option: The insured receives a disabled child's allowance and has been determined to have a mobility disability at a rate not less than 80 percent or the medical committee has determined that he needs a wheelchair and that he actually uses it. A fourth option: an adult insured who has been determined to have a mobility disability of 100 percent or a minor who has been determined to have a mobility disability of at least 80 percent or who has been determined by the medical committee to need a wheelchair and is actually using it. In addition, it must be shown that the insured stays at the institution and must leave it at least 6 times a month for certain purposes such as: work, studies, rehabilitation, volunteering or one or another social activity, and this without the institution financing the aforementioned insured's departure expenses. Furthermore, it must be proven that he is entitled to a special services allowance or a disabled child, but does not receive it due to his being in an institution.

Appeal to the medical committee of the Ministry of Health

Before submitting a claim to receive mobility benefits for the National Insurance, a mobility allowance or any other benefit, one must pass the medical hurdle of the district committee at the Ministry of Health, which determines whether the applicant, who is insured with the National Insurance, has limited mobility and what the degree of disability is. First, an application for a mobility benefit must be submitted to the district medical committee of the Ministry of Health using a special form for determining a mobility disability. The full medical documentation must be attached to this form, including a medical opinion from a specialist doctor, describing the deficiencies relevant to the request. After the application is submitted, it will be examined and it will be decided whether to reject it outright due to failure to meet the required criteria, or if it is found that the application is correct, the applicant will be summoned for a physical examination by the medical committee by the doctors on behalf of the Ministry of Health. It is recommended to come to the committee examination together with all the medical documents regarding the deficiencies and limitations in mobility that can lead to the determination of a mobility disability that will result in eligibility for a benefit. At the end of the examination, the committee will summarize its findings and send its determinations to the examinee. Only if it is determined that the insured has a mobility disability of an appropriate degree to receive a benefit, the claim can be submitted to the National Insurance. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that even if the committee rejected the insured's request or determined a degree of disability that is insufficient to receive a benefit, the insured may appeal the decision to the Medical Appeals Committee for Mobility Matters. As part of the appeal, the Appeals Committee can change the determination of the previous committee, both on the basis of the medical documentation attached to the appeal and on the basis of the examination that will be performed. Under the circumstances In certain cases, an appeal can be filed against the decision of the Appeals Committee by way of appeal to the judicial courts.

Submitting a claim to the National Insurance

To the extent that the medical committee or the appeals committee has determined that the insured is "limited in mobility" at a rate consistent with the requirements of the law for receiving a mobility allowance, then a claim must be submitted to the National Insurance to receive the benefits within the mobility allowance. All relevant documents must be attached to the claim to prove entitlement to an allowance, including medical documentation, study or work approval and more. It is important to understand that determining the mobility disability at an appropriate rate does not in itself qualify for an allowance and the National Insurance can reject the claim for various reasons. This situation can also be dealt with by submitting an appeal to the Regional Labor Court.

As can be understood from the review above, the path to receiving a mobility allowance and all the benefits within the benefit itself is not easy, and many insured people sometimes encounter difficulties both in properly preparing the case and in dealing with the determinations of the various committees. Therefore, the guidance and advice of a lawyer dealing in the field of national insurance can overcome the obstacles on the way, completely change the final result and exhaust the insured's full rights according to law.