The Essence
The Long-Term Care Benefit (Gimlat Si'ud) is a state benefit from the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) for senior citizens who have reached retirement age and require assistance with performing daily activities at home. The purpose of the benefit is to provide care services or their monetary equivalent to help the individual remain in their familiar home environment for as long as possible.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility for the benefit is determined based on age, degree of functional dependency, and income level.
- Age: Men and women who have reached retirement age.
- Residency: Must be a resident of Israel.
- Degree of Dependency: The need for assistance is determined by a special functional assessment (Mivchan Tlut) conducted at home by a Bituach Leumi representative.
- Income Test: Eligibility for the benefit and its amount depend on the income level of the applicant (and their spouse).
Who is NOT eligible (main exclusions):
- Individuals receiving a Special Services Allowance (Sherutim Meyuchadim) from Bituach Leumi.
- Individuals residing permanently in a long-term care institution (mosad si'udi) where the majority of expenses are covered by the state.
Your Rights
The amount and type of assistance depend on the number of points scored during the functional assessment. Assistance may be provided in the form of home care hours, a cash benefit, or a combination of these two options.
Note: The table below is an example. The exact benefit levels and number of hours for 2024 will be added after verification of official data.
| Benefit Level | Weekly Care Hours (example) | Monthly Cash Equivalent (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | ~5.5 hours | ~ILS 1,500 |
| Level 2 | ~10 hours | ~ILS 2,800 |
| Level 3 | ~17 hours (for an Israeli caregiver) | ~ILS 4,500 |
| Level 4 | ~22 hours (for an Israeli caregiver) | ~ILS 5,800 |
Step-by-Step Guide
- Document Collection. Prepare all necessary medical reports, proof of income, and personal documents as per the list below.
- Completing the Application Form. Fill out the Long-Term Care Benefit application form (תביעה לגמלת סיעוד). The form can be found on the Bituach Leumi website or at its branches.
- Submitting the Application. Submit the application and all documents to the nearest Bituach Leumi branch corresponding to your place of residence. This can be done in person, by mail, or online.
- Awaiting the Home Assessment. After the application is submitted, you will be contacted to schedule a home visit from a Bituach Leumi assessor (a nurse or physiotherapist). Important: Your presence at this assessment is mandatory.
- Receiving the Decision. Following the assessment, Bituach Leumi will send a written decision regarding the approval (or denial) of the benefit, its level, and its amount. The expected timeframe is up to 60 days.
Document Checklist
- Long-Term Care Benefit Application Form (Form BL/2600).
- Applicant's Identity Card (Teudat Zehut).
- Medical documents: reports from the primary care physician, hospital discharge summaries, reports from specialists (geriatrician, neurologist) describing the functional condition.
- Proof of income for the last few months (tlushei maskoret, bank statements).
- If assistance from a foreign worker is required—the relevant permits.
- Power of Attorney, if the application is submitted by a representative (e.g., a family member).
Key Considerations
- Comprehensive Medical Picture: Provide medical documents that are as complete and up-to-date as possible. The outcome of the functional assessment is directly dependent on this.
- The Home Assessment: During the assessor's visit, it is important that they observe the actual difficulties the elderly person faces. One should not "prepare" for the visit or attempt to appear more capable than they actually are.
- Choosing Between Services and Cash: Carefully weigh whether hours of care from a specialized agency or a cash payment for independently organizing assistance is more important for you. It may be difficult to change this decision later.
- Income Test: Any changes in income (e.g., receiving an inheritance or starting employment) may affect eligibility for the benefit. Bituach Leumi must be notified of such changes.
- Appeal: If you do not agree with the decision from Bituach Leumi, you have the right to file an appeal within the specified period (usually 60-90 days).
Contacts and Links
Note: Official links to forms and exact phone numbers will be added after they are verified. Do not use unverified sources to obtain forms or information.
- National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi):
- Phone:
*6050 - Website: (Link will be added)
- Phone:
- Information Center for the Elderly:
- Phone:
*8840
- Phone:
Dictionary
| Hebrew | Transliteration | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| גמלת סיעוד | Gimlat Si'ud | Long-Term Care Benefit |
| ביטוח לאומי | Bituach Leumi | National Insurance Institute |
| מבחן תלות (ADL) | Mivchan Tlut | Functional Dependency Assessment (ADL) |
| קשיש / קשישה | Kashish / Kshisha | Elderly man / elderly woman |
| מטפל / מטפלת | Metapel / Metapelet | Caregiver (male/female) |
| תעודת זהות | Teudat Zehut | Identity Card |