National Insurance Halts Disability Payout Amid Conflicting Medical Rulings

The Israeli National Insurance Institute has suspended a significant retroactive disability payment of over 48,000 shekels to a claimant, 'S', a resident of Tel Sheva, pending further review. This decision follows a legal dispute arising from contradictory findings by two separate medical committees within the same National Insurance branch regarding the claimant's chronic headaches, which began after a severe road accident.

'S', who worked as a cleaner, was injured two years ago when a passing vehicle struck his work tractor in Beersheba. He sustained head and facial injuries and subsequently suffered from persistent headaches. His claim for the incident to be recognized as a work accident was approved, and he received injury benefits and temporary disability.

However, a medical committee in July 2025, assessing his permanent disability from the work accident, acknowledged the link between the accident and his headaches but assigned him 0% disability for them, granting only 5% for a facial scar. This was despite his continued complaints, neurological monitoring, and medication.

In parallel, a different medical committee in July 2026, evaluating his general disability claim, recognized his chronic headaches and awarded him 15% permanent disability for them. This ruling, combined with pre-existing disabilities from diabetes and mental health issues, resulted in a total assessed disability of approximately 50% and the approval of the retroactive payment.

The discrepancy, where one committee found no disability from the headaches while another awarded 15%, has been deemed absurd by 'S's lawyer, Michaela Dimertz. She is appealing the work accident committee's decision, aiming to align the disability percentages and potentially increase his benefits further under Regulation 15, which considers functional impairment.

The National Insurance Institute stated the payment is being held to examine its impact on other benefits 'S' receives, such as income support.