Recognition of Families of Deceased Disabled Veterans

Recognition and eligibilities of the bereaved families of deceased IDF and security forces disabled veterans

IDF or security forces disabled veterans who have passed away may be recognized under the Fallen Soldiers' Families (Pensions and Rehabilitation) Law, in any of the following cases:

The cause of death of the disabled veteran is related to the disability for which he or she was recognized by the Rehabilitation Department.
The disabled veteran was recognized with a special disability degree of 100%+.
The disabled veteran was recognized with a disability of at least 90% due to a head injury with brain damage resulting from external trauma, and had received a work disability benefit until the passing.

36-month adaptation benefits from the Rehabilitation Department

According to section 20A(a) of the Disabled Persons Law, the widow of a disabled veteran who was eligible for benefits at the time of death, will continue to receive benefits from the Rehabilitation Department for 36 months (3 years) for adaptation purposes. According to the law, it is not possible to receive benefits, rights, and services from the Department of Families concurrently with receiving the 36-month benefits. Therefore, the widow will need to decide whether to apply to the Department of Families shortly after the death or approximately six months before the end of the period of 36-month adaptation benefits (to allow us to review the application).

To assist in making the decision, you can contact the Rehabilitation Department to obtain a document comparing the rights and benefits provided by the departments.

For questions and further explanation regarding the 36-month benefits, please contact the Rehabilitation Department

You should know

A widow receiving 36-month benefits from the Rehabilitation Department can simultaneously receive a survivors' pension from the National Insurance Institute.

A widow receiving benefits under the Families Law is not eligible to also receive a survivors' pension from the National Insurance Institute.
If eligibility under the Families Law is approved (effective from the date of application submission as detailed below), the adaptation benefits and/or the survivors' pension from the National Insurance Institute will be deducted, if paid during a period included in the recognition period according to the Families Law.
In the case of death of a disabled veteran with a special disability degree of 100%+, after the family completes the recognition application form, the process is carried out by the Department of Families through an immediate recognition track.
Parents, siblings and adult orphans who were orphaned after the age of 21 can contact the Department of Families by submitting a recognition application form, regardless of the widow's application.

What is the immediate recognition process in the case of death of an IDF disabled veteran?

In the case of death of a disabled veteran with a special disability degree of 100%+ or a disabled veteran with a disability degree of 90% or more due to a head injury, the notification of death is sent to the Department of Families by the Rehabilitation Department.

Following the death, a joint meeting will be scheduled between the widow and representatives from the Rehabilitation Department and the Department of Families. During the meeting, the widow will be informed of her legal rights within the departments.

The widow can choose whether to apply for recognition by the Department of Families shortly after the death or towards the end of the period of receiving the 36-month adaptation benefits provided by the Rehabilitation Department.

Parents of a deceased disabled veteran, siblings and adult orphans who were orphaned after the age of 21 can contact the Department of Families by submitting a recognition application form, regardless of the widow's application.

For your attention

Recognition under the Families Law is conditional upon submitting a recognition application form.

Applications that require review

In cases where the family believes that the cause of the loved one's death is related to the disability for which he or she was recognized by the Rehabilitation Department, they may contact the Recognition and Eligibility using a recognition application form.

After receiving the application form, the unit will collect information about the deceased's service and medical and/or other information about the cause of death and the deceased's medical condition during his or her lifetime (including the disabled veteran's files from the Rehabilitation Department).

The materials will be forwarded to obtain a medical opinion by a relevant specialist physician to examine the connection between the cause of death and the disability recognized by the Rehabilitation Department.

The benefits officer, after receiving all the materials in the file, will make a decision in accordance with the law.

You should know

The process of reviewing the application takes time due to the need to collect data and documents from various sources.

Process of recognition by the department

Submitting the application:
The recognition application and official documents detailing the cause of death must be submitted to the Recognition and Eligibility Unit. If the application is submitted within the first year from the date of death, eligibility will be retroactive from the date of death.
If the application is submitted more than one year from the date of death, eligibility will begin from the date of application submission, in accordance with section 28 (a) of the law.
Confirmation of the application receipt:
After submitting the application, a confirmation will be sent by mail indicating that the application has been received, and detailing whether additional documents are required.
Application review:
The unit conducts a comprehensive evaluation by virtue of its authority to review every submitted application. As part of this process, unit personnel have access to all necessary information from official bodies such as the police, prosecution, National Insurance Institute, HMOs, social services, and more. This thorough review process is designed to ensure that decisions are made based on a complete and accurate picture, with the aim of providing the best and most sensitive response to every applicant.
Decision:
- If the application is approved - a decision letter will be sent by registered mail to the family, detailing the contact details of the relevant district. Additionally, the decision will be forwarded for implementation and to inform the relevant department personnel. District staff will contact the family and provide an explanation of the rights.
- If the application is not approved - a decision letter will be sent by registered mail to the family, detailing the reasons for the decision, and they will be given the right to appeal within 30 days from the date of receiving the letter.

For questions regarding how to fill out the forms, you can contact the call center at 03-7776700.

Forms must be sent by email: mishpahot_tviot@mod.gov.il

Death due to exposure to the Kishon River

The conditions for recognition of those who dived in the Kishon were updated in accordance with the conclusions of the task force established to expand recognition in 2022.

Fast-track recognition will apply to those who meet both of the following conditions:

First condition - service unit

Completion of training and service in one of the units that dived in the Kishon continuously and intensively for 30 days or more:
- 13th Flotilla (Shayetet 13) until 1993
- Underwater Missions Unit (YALTAM) until 2000
- Naval Officers until 1980
- Engineering Corps Bridging Unit
You should know: In the case of service in another unit (or in a unit listed above, but without completing the training course), where there was still exposure to the Kishon in a comprehensive, continuous, and intensive manner for 30 days or more, the recognition application may still be included in the fast-track process.
Second condition – death from a malignant disease or Parkinson's disease

Note: For Parkinson's disease, the application will be fast-tracked if the symptoms of the disease began before the age of 55.

Definitions of family members and forms to submit

Who are defined as parents?

Parents of a deceased disabled veteran, including stepparents or adoptive parents, according to section 1 (c) of the law

In cases where there is a biological parent and a stepparent or adoptive parent, and both are of the same gender, the benefits officer will decide which of them will be recognized as the bereaved parent after determining which of them fulfilled the needs of the deceased during the deceased's lifetime and cared for the deceased. Fulfilling these needs includes various aspects of significant parenting, such as emotional and mental support, financial support, accompanying to extracurricular activities, social activities, involvement in education and studies, presence at significant events, providing a sense of security and stability, addressing daily needs, and more.

What to submit?

Each family member must submit a separate recognition application. For example - widow, parent or parents, orphans – when there is no application from the widow; siblings – when there is no application from the parents.

Fill out the recognition application form - Please note, the application form + 2 appendices (bank account details confirmation, waiver of confidentiality) must be completed.
A copy of the applicant's ID card, including the appendix.
A copy of the deceased's death certificate.
Confirmation of the deceased's burial details (name of the cemetery, block, area, plot, grave).
Official documents detailing the cause of death of the deceased: final hospitalization summary from the hospital if the death occurred in the hospital, MDA report if the death occurred at home, Israel Police report if an investigation was conducted.

Who are defined as widows and widowers?

Those who were married on the day of the loss, according to section 1 (a) of the law.

What to submit?

Each family member must submit a separate recognition application. For example: widow, parent or parents, orphans – when there is no application from the widow; siblings – when there is no application from the parents.

Fill out the recognition application form - Please note, the application form + 3 appendices (bank account details confirmation, waiver of confidentiality, declaration form) must be completed.
A copy of the applicant's ID card, including the appendix.
A copy of the deceased's death certificate.
Confirmation of the deceased's burial details (name of the cemetery, block, area, plot, grave).
Official documents detailing the cause of death of the deceased: final hospitalization summary from the hospital if the death occurred in the hospital, MDA report if the death occurred at home, Israel Police report if an investigation was conducted.

Who are defined as common-law partners?

To apply for recognition as common-law partners, it is necessary to demonstrate that the following two conditions are met and submit documents proving:

Shared residence: Living together for a significant period close to the time of death. A rental agreement in the names of both partners must be attached.
Existence of a common-law relationship until the day of death: Documents, photos, or testimonies proving the relationship, including financial sharing and joint property, such as confirmation of a joint bank account, payments for shared living, and affidavits from family members and friends attesting to living together as husband and wife, must be attached.

What to submit?

Application form for recognition - common-law partner. Please note, the application form + 2 appendices (bank account details confirmation, waiver of confidentiality) must be completed.
Documents, contracts, photos, joint accounts and payments, affidavits or testimonies from family members and friends attesting to the relationship and the duration of living together, presenting shared life, joint property, etc.
A copy of the applicant's ID card, including the appendix.
A copy of the deceased's death certificate.
Confirmation of the deceased's burial details (name of the cemetery, block, area, plot, grave).
Official documents detailing the cause of death of the deceased: final hospitalization summary from the hospital if the death occurred in the hospital, MDA report if the death occurred at home, Israel Police report if an investigation was conducted.

Who are defined as orphans?

Children of the deceased disabled veteran, including stepchildren or adopted children, who were financially supported by the deceased and were under the age of 21 on the day of the loss, according to section 1 (b) of the law.

Note: When there is a widow, she applies on behalf of herself and her children with the deceased.

What to submit?

Fill out the recognition application form - Please note, the application form + 3 appendices (bank account details confirmation, waiver of confidentiality, declaration form) must be completed.
A copy of the applicant's ID card, including the appendix.
A copy of the deceased's death certificate.
Confirmation of the deceased's burial details (name of the cemetery, block, area, plot, grave).
Official documents detailing the cause of death of the deceased: final hospitalization summary from the hospital if the death occurred in the hospital, MDA report if the death occurred at home, Israel Police report if an investigation was conducted.

Who are defined as siblings?

Siblings of a deceased disabled person, according to section 1 (d) of the law.

Siblings who have lost their parents and are under the age of 18, and have no adult siblings or income for their livelihood. The state will appoint a legal guardian to receive the rights and assistance for them.

Note: When there is an application by the parents, they apply on their own behalf and on behalf of their children (the siblings of the deceased).

What to submit?

Each family member must submit a separate application for recognition. For example: widow, parent or parents, orphans – when there is no application from the widow; siblings – when there is no application from the parents.

Fill out the recognition application form - Please note, the application form + 2 appendices (bank account details confirmation, waiver of confidentiality) must be completed.
A copy of the applicant's ID card, including the appendix.
A copy of the deceased's death certificate.
Confirmation of the burial details of the deceased (name of the cemetery, block, area, plot, grave).
Official documents detailing the cause of death of the deceased: final hospitalization summary from the hospital if the death occurred in the hospital, MDA report if the death occurred at home, Israel Police report if an investigation was conducted.

Who are defined as guardians?

A person appointed by the state or the court, authorized to manage and make decisions on behalf of another person, either because that person is a minor or unable to manage his or her own affairs.

What to submit?

Fill out the recognition application form - Please note, the application form + 3 appendices (bank account details confirmation, waiver of confidentiality, declaration form) must be completed.
A copy of the applicant's ID card, including the appendix.
A copy of the deceased's death certificate.
Confirmation of the burial details of the deceased (name of the cemetery, block, area, plot, grave).
Official documents detailing the cause of death of the deceased: final hospitalization summary from the hospital if the death occurred in the hospital, MDA report if the death occurred at home, Israel Police report if an investigation was conducted.

Who are defined as fiancées and fiancés?

To apply for recognition as a fiancé or fiancée, it is necessary to demonstrate that the couple submitted a request to the authorities for marriage registration, or that at least two of the following conditions were met:

A marriage proposal or engagement party took place between the couple, indicating their intention to marry. The event was announced and known to their families and other close individuals, and their consent to the marriage existed at the time of death.
- "Marriage proposal": Includes the couple's agreement to marry, in the presence of two witnesses, and documented in writing.
- "Publicity": Includes publication on social media, a newspaper announcement, or documentation sent digitally.
A date and venue for the wedding were set, and an agreement was signed with a banquet hall or a catering service.
A ring was purchased or given during the engagement period.
An agreement was made to purchase or rent a residential apartment with a third party.

What to submit?

Application form for recognition - fiancée. Please note, the application form + 2 appendices (bank account details confirmation, waiver of confidentiality) must be completed.
Documents, contracts, photos, or testimonies presenting the marriage proposal and mutual consent, the rings, an agreement with the hall or catering provider, an apartment purchase or rental agreement.
A copy of the applicant's ID card, including the appendix.
A copy of the deceased's death certificate.
Confirmation of the burial details of the deceased (name of the cemetery, block, area, plot, grave).
Official documents detailing the cause of death of the deceased: final hospitalization summary from the hospital if the death occurred in the hospital, MDA report if the death occurred at home, Israel Police report if an investigation was conducted.

What can you do if the application is denied?

In cases where the benefits officer rejects the application for recognition in light of the provisions of the law, it is possible to appeal the decision within 30 business days to the Appeals Committee at the Magistrate's Court in your area of residence. The appeal must be submitted in writing in four copies to the court's secretariat.

What is an operational benefit beyond the standard for a widow of a deceased disabled person?

A widow of a disabled person whose disability level was 50% or higher as a result of an injury during operational activity (including post-trauma), without additional disabilities unrelated to the operational activity, may receive, as an exception, benefits equivalent to those provided to an IDF widow (without additional benefits), after deduction of the survivors' pension provided by the National Insurance Institute.

The review and decision regarding this eligibility are made by the Rehabilitation Department, and the payment of the benefits is carried out by the Department of Families.

See further details on the submission on the Rehabilitation Department website

You should know

The survivors' pension paid by the National Insurance Institute will be deducted from the benefit amount.
Aside from the monthly benefit, there will be no eligibility for other benefits stipulated in the Fallen Soldiers' Families Law.
Other benefits for the family members of disabled IDF soldiers and security forces will be discontinued.