Mobility Benefits

The mobility benefits program provides various forms of assistance to people with impairments that limit their mobility, with the aim of helping them to integrate into the community and develop an independent life. These benefits include eligibility for a monthly allowance as well as various loans for vehicles and vehicle accessories. Each benefit in this program has its own conditions of entitlement.

All of the details of Bituach Leumi’s Mobility program are available in English on the Bituach Leumi website.

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Benefits & Loans:

- A monthly allowance is paid to those with limited mobility to assist with mobility expenses whether or not they are vehicle owners.

- Loans may be available for the taxes of the purchase of a vehicle, a percentage of cost of a new vehicle, or accessories such as wheelchair lifts.

- Loan repayment is postponed for as long as the vehicle is in use by the beneficiary under continuing eligibility conditions, the amount due is reduced over this time, and in some cases, the loan ultimately becomes a full grant. If a person remains eligible for mobility benefits he may also be able to receive loans multiple times to replace vehicles and/or accessories.

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Establishing Entitlement & Submitting the Claim

The process of entitlement to the mobility benefit involves the Misrad Habriut along with Bituach Leumi. A person must first submit the Application for Medical Examination to Establish Mobility Limitations to the district health office (Misrad Habriut) where a medical committee will establish the percentage of limited mobility according to a list of defined impairments, usually after a direct examination of the claimant.

After the percentage of mobility limitation is established,  the Claim for Benefits Under the Mobility Agreement must be submitted to Bituach Leumi.

Both of these forms list the necessary accompanying documents, which include medical documentation, driver and vehicle licenses, and other materials depending on each case. Assistance from a kupah or hospital social worker, or others familiar with the process, can be very useful in preparing the forms and accompanying documents.

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Start of Entitlement

The beneficiary is eligible for the mobility allowance from the date the percentage of disability is determined by the Misrad Habriut medical committee. If the claim to Bituach Leumi is submitted later, the allowance is only paid for up to two months retroactively.

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Limitations

A person after retirement age can not receive a mobility benefit unless they began receiving it beforehand.

Eligibility for multiple special pensions from Bituach Leumi, such as the Attendance Allowance or Child Disability, can sometimes conflict. In other cases double benefits are acceptable, usually when the circumstances are more severe.

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Additional Details

Learning to Drive a Vehicle with Special Accessories

A person with limited mobility who must drive a vehicle for special accessories while sitting in a wheelchair, can learn to drive in a Bituach Leumi vehicle equipped with accessories to assist those learning to drive or learning to use the special accessories that will be installed in their vehicles.