National Insurance Institute Launches Campaign for Victims of Hostile Acts
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israel's National Insurance Institute, with former athlete Omri Afek, launched a campaign to inform victims of hostile acts about updated rehabilitation rights, including financial grants and expanded treatment for PTSD and other traumas. The initiative extends support to family members and children, mirroring reforms for security veterans. The goal is to ensure eligible individuals are aware of and can access these crucial services, especially following the October 7th attacks and the ongoing war.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- National Insurance Institute updated rehabilitation rights for victims of hostile acts.
- Victims with 20% disability from PTSD or head injury get grants and treatment funding.
- Expanded support includes service dogs, family therapy, and educational funding.
- Children of victims up to age 18 also receive extended rehabilitation services.
- Campaign features former athlete Omri Afek to raise awareness of new benefits.
- Changes align civilian terror victim support with that for security system veterans.
Israel's National Insurance Institute has launched an extensive public awareness campaign, featuring former national team player and sports commentator Omri Afek, to inform victims of hostile acts and their families about updated rehabilitation rights. The initiative aims to highlight recent changes in eligibility for support and emphasize the importance of utilizing rehabilitation and treatment services alongside ongoing financial assistance.
In a joint informational video filmed with Nahorai Luzon, an ambulance driver who responded to casualties on October 7, Afek stressed the significance of these updates. "We are here for and because of these people like Nahorai, heroes of Israel who went through a difficult trauma... and don't always know how to treat themselves afterward. It's important they know there is a way to get treatment, because we are a country that has gone through trauma and war, and we need to know how to rehabilitate ourselves," Afek stated. Luzon described his personal rehabilitation process, which included psychological support, psychodrama, swimming, therapeutic horseback riding, and sports activities aimed at returning to full function.
According to the new guidelines, victims of hostile acts who have been recognized with a disability of 20% or more due to PTSD, psychological trauma, or head injury are now eligible for a dedicated financial grant and funding for ongoing treatment and rehabilitation. This expanded support package includes assistance with funding a service dog for PTSD, psychological treatments for family members, alternative therapies, support groups, and funding for academic studies, preparatory courses, and vocational training.
Further, an extended rehabilitation package is available for victims' children up to age 18, covering reimbursement for tutoring services, remedial education, speech therapy, and sports and art activities. To facilitate access, a dedicated hotline for PTSD victims (1-800-363-363 or *3362 ext. 2) and a specialized center at 03-5127118 (Sunday-Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) have been established.
The expansion of benefits and grants is based on applying the principles of the Ministry of Defense's "Nafash Echad" (One Soul) reform to victims of hostile acts. This move seeks to equalize the rehabilitation and psychological treatment provided to civilians injured by terrorism with that given to disabled veterans of the security system, particularly in light of the number of casualties from the October 7th events and the ongoing "Swords of Iron" war. The campaign, involving public figures like Afek, aims to ensure that thousands of eligible individuals are aware of their rights and can apply through the Institute's online portal.