Court Orders National Insurance to Extend Vocational Training for Student

A Tel Aviv Labor Court has ordered the National Insurance Institute to grant a 27-year-old student an additional 12 months of vocational training. The court ruled that ongoing threats significantly impacted the student's life and studies, justifying an extension beyond the standard 12-month period. The student, who was recognized as having a 20% permanent disability in 2022 due to ADHD and hyperactivity, had his vocational training program approved in March 2023, retroactively from October 2022.

His request for an extension stemmed from a severe incident that began on October 2, 2022, when he received a video showing a criminal with a weapon entering his home and threatening him and his wife. This led to a police complaint, a protection order request, and the family's temporary relocation. His car was also vandalized during this period.

The incident and its aftermath resulted in psychological treatment, academic failures, and a subsequent 10% permanent disability for PTSD. The National Insurance Institute argued that the student failed to prove special circumstances and had not reported his difficulties promptly. However, the court rejected these arguments, stating the incident's repercussions continued during his training and that his explanation for the delay in reporting was reasonable.

The court also criticized the National Insurance Institute for not presenting the decision from its rehabilitation department, hindering a review of the reasons for denying the extension. Ultimately, the court mandated the 12-month extension, citing specific rehabilitation directives, and waived court costs as the student was represented by the Legal Aid office.