Comprehensive guide on submitting an application for recognition as a bereaved family at the Department of Families, Commemoration and Heritage

The Process of Recognition as a Bereaved Family

For families of those who fell or passed away during their service in the IDF, Police, Prison Service, or security forces.

Falling or passing away during service

Learn more and submit an application

For families of disabled veterans who passed away as a result of their recognized injury, or whose disability rating met the statutory threshold.

Death of a recognized disabled veteran

For families of those not recognized as disabled veterans, where the family believes there is a causal link between the death and their service.

Death not during active service

The process of being recognized as a bereaved family is initiated by submitting an official application to the Department of Families, Commemoration and Heritage.   Recognized families are eligible for benefits, services, and support. The required application forms and documentation vary depending on the circumstances:

What is the recognition process and how an application is submitted:

Applications may be submitted by families of those who served in one of the following organizations or capacities:

Eligible service branches and organizations

Complete the designated application forms and submit them along with all required documentation

Submission of application

A Benefits Officer reviews the application, examining the causal connection between the death and the service

Application review

You will receive a detailed, written decision. Should recognition be approved, a dedicated caseworker will guide you through the process of exercising your rights and receiving supportive services.

Decision and onboarding

Stages of the recognition process

For members of the IDF or security forces who fell during operational activity, combat, or warfare.

Operational activity, combat, or warfare

For service members of the IDF or security forces whose passing occurred during active service and was causally linked to the nature of their military or security duties, according to the Goren amendment relating to permanent service.

Death in the line of duty

For IDF service members who passed away due to an injury sustained while not performing their active duties or during approved leave, provided the circumstances does not fall under the statutory exclusions (special circumstances) defined by The Benefits for Soldiers and Their Families law (Injury Not While Performing Duty), 1988.

Injury not in the line of duty

For recognized disabled veterans whose demise was due to their recognized disability, or whose high degree of disability met the statutory criteria (months or years after the disability was recognized).

Passing of a recognized disabled veteran due to their disability

For civilians whose passing is determined to have a causal connection to military service.

Passing of civilians

The Recognition and Eligibility Unit within the Department of Families, Commemoration and Heritage operates in accordance with the Fallen Soldiers' Families (Pensions and Rehabilitation) Law, 1950 (hereinafter: "The Families Law"). The Unit’s role is to determine whether the statutory criteria for recognizing both the fallen soldier and the family members requesting recognition are met.The Law provides recognition to family members who lost their loved ones under the following circumstances:

Under what circumstances is eligibility approved?

We are glad to listen and answer any question

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