Israel Expands Rehabilitation Rights and Grants for Victims of Hostilities
Former Israeli soccer player Omri Afek has joined a national campaign by the National Insurance Institute to raise awareness about expanded rehabilitation rights and financial grants for victims of hostilities suffering from PTSD and trauma.
Former Israeli national team player and sports commentator Omri Afek has partnered with Israel's National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) for a major public awareness campaign highlighting updated rehabilitation rights for victims of hostilities and their families. The initiative aims to draw attention to newly announced entitlement updates, emphasizing the importance of accessing rehabilitation and care tracks alongside ongoing financial aid.
In a joint promotional video filmed on a soccer pitch alongside Nahoray Luzon, an ambulance driver who rushed to rescue the wounded on October 7, Afek addressed the updates and the significance of claiming assistance. Luzon, who shared his personal rehabilitation journey, detailed that the treatment he received included psychological care, psychodrama, swimming, therapeutic horseback riding, and athletic activities aimed at restoring full functioning.
According to the updated guidelines presented by the National Insurance Institute, victims of hostilities who have been assessed with a disability rating of 20% or higher due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental health injuries, or head trauma are now eligible for a dedicated financial grant and funding for an ongoing care and rehabilitation package.
The expanded service package includes comprehensive support such as funding for a service dog to cope with PTSD, mental health treatments for the victim's family members, alternative therapies, support groups, and funding for academic studies, preparatory programs, and professional training. Additionally, an extended rehabilitation package is provided for victims' children up to age 18, covering reimbursements for mentoring services through authorized companies, remedial teaching, speech therapy, and sports and art classes.
The expansion of entitlements and grants is based on applying the principles of the Defense Ministry's "Nefesh Ahat" (One Soul) reform to victims of hostilities. The move aims to equalize the rehabilitation and psychological care safety net for civilians harmed by terror with that of disabled IDF veterans, particularly in light of the scale of casualties from the October 7 events and the ongoing war.
