Mobility Benefits: The Medical Committee and the Benefit System for People with Limited Mobility

What is the Mobility Benefits track?

The Mobility Agreement provides a set of benefits intended to assist people whose limited mobility results from specified lower-limb impairments. Unlike other disability benefits, this track does not assess every walking difficulty or diagnosis: the committee may consider only impairments included in the closed list.

The process is divided between two bodies. A Ministry of Health medical committee determines whether the impairment appears on the list, the limited-mobility percentage, whether the impairment may change or is permanent, and, where relevant, whether a wheelchair is needed. The National Insurance Institute then assesses eligibility for the benefits themselves.

Who may be assessed, and what is examined?

• As a rule, an Israeli resident from age 3 through age 67. A person who received benefits before age 67 may continue under the track's rules. Special rules also apply to siblings living together.
• The committee examines only lower-limb impairments on the list, including amputations, paralysis, specified joint limitations, obstruction of the arteries in the legs, lymphatic-system disorders, and other listed impairments.
• For some vehicle-related benefits, a person with a driver's license generally needs at least 40% limited mobility; a person without a license generally needs at least 60% and an authorized driver. Additional requirements may apply.
• Age, driver's license, vehicle ownership or use, an authorized driver, income, and family status may affect the type of benefit.

What does the District Health Office determine, and what does National Insurance determine?

The medical committee at the District Health Office acts on behalf of the Ministry of Health and is separate from the National Insurance Institute. It determines whether a lower-limb impairment corresponds to the closed list, the limited-mobility percentage, whether the determination is temporary or permanent, and, where relevant, whether a wheelchair is needed and used.

The committee does not determine the allowance amount and does not approve a vehicle loan. After receiving the committee protocol, the National Insurance Institute separately checks age, residency, driver's license, vehicle ownership and use, an authorized driver, and the remaining requirements for each benefit. A medical determination of limited-mobility percentages therefore does not guarantee approval of every benefit.

Tracks for a vehicle owner and for a person without a vehicle

Under the vehicle-owner track, a person with a valid driver's license generally needs at least 40% limited mobility. A person without a license generally needs at least 60% and a driver authorized by the National Insurance Institute. The allowance amount is affected, among other factors, by the limited-mobility percentage, the representative vehicle, the driver's license, employment income, and wheelchair use.

An allowance for a person without a vehicle is not paid to everyone who does not own a vehicle. Narrow tracks with different requirements exist, for example, for an employed adult with at least 80% limited mobility, a recipient of Attendance Allowance with 100% limited mobility or a determined need for a wheelchair, a child receiving Disabled Child Allowance who meets the requirements, and an institutional resident who regularly leaves the institution and meets the special requirements.

An authorized driver is a relative or caregiver with a valid license who has been approved by the National Insurance Institute. The person's residence, relationship to the mobility-limited person, and commitment to provide regular transportation are also assessed.

What is a standing loan for purchasing a vehicle?

A standing loan does not finance the vehicle's full price. It is intended to cover all or part of the taxes on a new vehicle, calculated according to the approved representative vehicle or the vehicle actually purchased, whichever amount is lower.

The eligible person signs an undertaking. No current repayment is required as long as the Mobility Agreement's conditions are maintained, but sale or replacement of the vehicle, loss of eligibility, or other circumstances specified in the Agreement may trigger repayment. The vehicle must not be purchased before the loan is approved, because an early purchase may eliminate eligibility for the loan.

The loan percentage and representative-vehicle ceiling depend on the limited-mobility percentage and driver's-license status. Because vehicle taxes and amounts change, the current National Insurance table should be checked before purchasing.

What is a special-accessories vehicle?

A special-accessories vehicle is one that a person can enter or drive while seated in a wheelchair. The track is not determined by the vehicle model the applicant prefers; it follows an appropriate medical determination and a professional recommendation concerning the required vehicle and accessories.

After a determination that a wheelchair is needed and used, the National Insurance Institute may refer the person to the Vehicle and Driving Accessories Adaptation Committee at the Medical Institute for Road Safety. The committee recommends the least expensive suitable vehicle and the necessary driving or transportation accessories.

A person approved for this track may separately receive a standing loan to cover taxes, a loan-fund loan to purchase the vehicle, and a loan to purchase approved accessories. Each component has its own requirements and financing rates. A vehicle must not be purchased, and accessories must not be installed, before approval is received.

Mobility Benefits are not a disabled parking permit

Mobility Benefits and a disabled parking permit are separate tracks administered by different bodies. A determination under one does not guarantee eligibility under the other, although some of the same medical records may be relevant to both.

Before filing, it is advisable to identify the potentially applicable impairment item on the closed list and the particular benefit sought. This helps avoid a situation in which a medical decision is issued but information needed for the administrative eligibility assessment is missing.

How the process works

1. 01

   Submit an application to the District Health Office with medical records focused on the lower limbs and the claimed correspondence to the closed impairment list.

2. 02

   Attend the Ministry of Health medical committee with identification, the records, and relevant assistive devices.

3. 03

   Receive a protocol stating the impairment item, limited-mobility percentage, determination period, and wheelchair decision where relevant. An appeal may be filed within 60 days, but the appeals committee may also reduce the percentage.

4. 04

   The protocol is transferred to the National Insurance Institute. When it may establish eligibility, the Institute treats it as a claim for benefits and requests supplemental documents.

5. 05

   The National Insurance Institute determines whether the person falls under the vehicle-owner or no-vehicle track, whether an authorized driver is needed, and which allowance, loan, or benefit matches the information.

6. 06

   If a special-accessories vehicle is required, complete the Vehicle and Driving Accessories Adaptation Committee process and proceed with purchase and installation only after approvals are received.

Documents you may need

• Current medical records describing the lower-limb impairment and its severity.
• Relevant imaging and diagnostic tests. In some cases, a current Doppler examination is required.
• Confirmation of wheelchair use or need, if relevant.
• A copy of the driver's license and authorized-driver details, depending on the case and requested benefit.
• Vehicle ownership or use records, work and travel certificates, and institutional-residence documents when required for the track being assessed.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Filing based on a general walking difficulty without matching an impairment on the closed list.
• Assuming that General Disability or Work Disability percentages are the same as limited-mobility percentages.
• Failing to bring targeted tests or a clear wheelchair document when material.
• Assuming that the medical committee's decision completes the process without completing the National Insurance benefit assessment.
• Purchasing a vehicle or installing accessories before approval of the standing loan or special-accessories vehicle track.
• Confusing the vehicle-owner allowance with the allowance for a person without a vehicle, which has separate and narrower requirements.