Israel's Special Services Benefit Amounts for 2026 Detailed
Translated & summarized from Bizportal by baba
Israel's National Insurance Institute has detailed the 2026 Special Services Benefit (Sher'am) amounts, ranging from NIS 1,943 to NIS 9,126 monthly based on dependency levels. This benefit covers costs for personal assistance and supervision, supplementing the general disability pension. Eligibility requires specific medical disability percentages and passing a dependency test. Additional payments are available for ventilator use, extra caregivers, and young children, with reassessment and appeal options for worsening conditions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Special Services Benefit (Sher'am) in Israel will range from NIS 1,943 to NIS 9,126 monthly in 2026.
- The benefit amount is determined by a dependency test, not solely by medical disability percentage.
- Additional payments are available for ventilator use, extra caregivers, and children up to age three.
- Eligibility requires a minimum medical disability of 40% or 75%, depending on other benefits received.
- Individuals can request reassessment if their condition worsens and can appeal decisions within 12 months.
Israel's National Insurance Institute (Bituah Leumi) has outlined the monthly amounts for the Special Services Benefit (Sher'am) for 2026, which are determined by an individual's level of dependency on others for daily activities and the need for constant supervision due to medical conditions. The benefit ranges from NIS 1,943 for the lowest dependency level to NIS 9,126 for the highest.
The Sher'am benefit is distinct from the general disability pension, often supplementing it. It is intended to cover the costs of personal assistance, such as caregiver hours, transportation to treatments, and help with basic tasks, rather than replacing lost income. The amounts are adjusted annually in January.
Eligibility for Sher'am requires a minimum medical disability of 40% for those already receiving a general disability pension, or 75% for those who do not, along with an income limit for the latter group. The core of the assessment is a dependency test, evaluating the need for assistance with mobility, eating, bathing, dressing, and toileting, as well as the need for supervision. This test is separate from the medical disability percentage.
In addition to the base benefit, supplementary payments are available. Individuals requiring a ventilator 24/7, starting from the 188% dependency level, can receive an extra NIS 10,774. Those eligible for the higher dependency levels and meeting specific conditions for an additional caregiver can receive an extra NIS 7,182. Parents with a child up to age three can receive an additional NIS 1,215 per child, for up to two children.
If an individual's condition worsens, they can request a reassessment. Appeals against decisions can be made to the National Labor Court within 12 months of receiving the decision. The process involves a home visit by a professional assessor who evaluates the individual's functional capabilities in various daily activities.
