Submit an Application to Join a Rehabilitation and Community Integration Program for People With Mental Health Disorders

Those facing distress and mental crises interested in beginning a rehabilitation process and are eligible under the Community Disability Rehabilitation Law 2000, can contact the Rehabilitation  Basket Board (Hebrew) through their HMO to receive services included in the basket, subject to approval from the Rehabilitation Basket Committee. Services include:

• housing services such as hostel boarding, community support, protected living
• financial support for buying basic household items
• rehabilitation mentoring
• employment services, such as employment clubs, sheltered employment, employment, consumers services enterprises, enterprises and providers and more
• education services - completion of education and computer studies
• social connectedness and leisure services - participation in activities and classes in the community, groups activities and social mentoring
• coordination of treatment
• family counseling
• dental care
• counseling and guidance

For more information about eligibility and the process for receiving a rehabilitation basket

What is the rehabilitation program?

• The rehabilitation program is a key stage in the rehabilitation process and is tailored to the wishes, needs and capacities of the persons coping with mental disabilities. The rehabilitation may take the form of completion of an educational program, assistance in integration in employment, assistance in housing in the community and more.
• The persons coping with mental disabilities and the treatment coordinators shall create the rehabilitation program jointly and it shall include objectives and goals and shall determine detailed steps that will be reviewed from time to time.

Those who meet all three requirements below are eligible to file a request for rehabilitation support package: 

• Israeli residents 
• Adults aged 18 and older 
• Those recognized as having a medical disability of 40% or more on mental health grounds by the National Insurance Institute of Israel 

Who is not eligible to file a request for rehabilitation support package? 

• Those who are not in regular psychiatric care
• Those who oppose the process and only their family members or relatives want this eligibility for them
• Active drug and alcohol users
• Those whose claim was rejected by the National Insurance Institute of Israel will not be approved for review by a certified physician on behalf of the Ministry of Health

Submitting an Online Application

Only applicants who meet the following criteria may complete and submit the application through the online form:

• A mental health professional in the HMO, or a social work staff member in psychiatric hospitals.
• A mental health clinic operated by the Ministry of Health.
• Social services.
• Private providers (social workers, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, registered nurses).

Submitting a Paper Application

If applicants do not have a care coordinator or a supporting treatment provider, they or their family members may download the application form (available below), complete the form, attach all required documents—including documentation from the treating psychiatrist—and submit the materials directly to the Rehabilitation Basket Board (not online).

Attach the following documents:

• a medical report from the attending psychiatrist, including a summary of illness
• a nursing report, if applying directly from hospitalization
• a psychosocial summary completed by the caregiver
• a functional assessment – you should also attach relevant diagnoses
• a summary, explanation and recommendations from the applying body
• a report from the NII rehabilitation department 
• a disability percentage and sections report
• a signed confidentiality waiver form

Send the completed application form with all the required documents to your local regional rehabilitation committee.

People seeking rehabilitation services who do not want to be recognized as disabled by the National Insurance Institute, and believe that temporary support tailored to their current situation can help them build a personal path toward growth and a better quality of life, may apply through the Personal Rehabilitation Track. These are the steps:

1. Complete the Personal Rehabilitation Track application form and attach the following documents:
   • A copy of your ID card.
   • An updated psychiatric medical report.
   • A confidentiality waiver form.
2. If the application is found eligible based on the criteria listed in the form, an approval and referral for an evaluation by specialists approved by the Ministry of Health will be sent.
3. The approval for the evaluation will include a list of authorized psychiatrists and their contact information. The information will be sent to the email address provided in the Personal Rehabilitation Track application form.
4. You must bring the approval sent for the Ministry of Health evaluation, along with the required documents for submitting the application, to the doctor’s appointment.
5. Only after receiving the opinion from the authorized physician can you apply to the Rehabilitation Basket Committee for review of rehabilitation services.

The Rehabilitation Committee's goal is to get to know you, understand your needs and set a rehabilitation program in the various areas of life. The committee works according to the following stages:

• A committee shall summon applicants up to one month from the reception of all documents in full. It is recommended to arrive with a companion (professional, family member and the like) and to come prepared by informing themselves about the available services in the rehabilitation support package, setting specific goals and the like. 
• After reviewing the application and meeting the applicants, the committee shall decide whether to: 
  • Approve the rehabilitation program in full. 
  • Approve the rehabilitation program in part. 
  • Make changes and additions to the rehabilitation program. 
  • Reject the rehabilitation program. 
• The committee's resolution, along with the reasoning thereof, shall be mailed to the referring professional or to the applicants themselves in case of self-application.

• You may appeal the committee decision in wiritng within 45 days after receiving the letter stating that your application has been denied
• Send the appeal by mail to the Ministry of Health Mental Health Division, 39 Yirmiyahu Street, Jerusalem

• After receiving the certificate from the Rehabilitation Services Package Committee, you may contact service providers in the various fields. It is recommended that you request an introductory meeting with the service providers in your living area in order to receive further information about the services offered and what you need to do to receive them.
• You may ask your accompanying professional for assistance in filing an application for the various services.