Navigating Rehabilitation Benefits: Israel’s Ministry of Defense
How to Properly Prepare Your Claim to the Rehabilitation Department of Israel’s Ministry of Defense
When applying to the Rehabilitation Department of Israel’s Ministry of Defense, the first steps are critical. Even a small mistake at the outset can jeopardize recognition of your injury — and with it, access to treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation.
At the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, our legal team has extensive experience guiding veterans, reservists, and their families through this complex process. Below, we outline the key principles every applicant should know.
1. Prepare Your Medical Documentation
Israeli law requires anyone injured during military service or reserve duty to provide up-to-date medical documentation that clearly describes the condition.
For psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this means obtaining an official diagnosis from a psychiatrist that explicitly states PTSD as a recognized medical condition. Without this documentation, the recognition process cannot even begin.
2. Injury Recognition – The Foundation of the Process
The first stage of filing a claim is injury recognition. At this stage, the Ministry of Defense decides whether your injury will be acknowledged as service-related.
If recognition is denied, the case will not advance to the medical board, blocking any chance of further evaluation. Because of this, precision and legal accuracy at this stage are essential.
3. Preparing for a PTSD Evaluation
PTSD must be recognized as an independent medical condition under Israeli law. Not every complaint will result in recognition.
Your symptoms must be presented in line with clinical diagnostic criteria. Knowing which symptoms matter, and how to describe them, is critical. Consulting both a lawyer and a PTSD specialist can make the difference between approval and rejection.
4. Professional Guidance Is the Key to Success
Every Israeli citizen has the right to apply for rehabilitation if the injury is service-related. However, the outcome depends largely on how the case is presented.
At JIJ, our lawyers provide full guidance at every step — from gathering medical records to preparing for the medical board. Our mission is to ensure your claim is submitted with clarity, accuracy, and confidence.
Conclusion
The recognition process is as much legal as it is medical. Proper preparation and professional guidance often determine whether a claim succeeds or fails.
At JIJ, we provide this legal support completely free of charge, ensuring that every soldier and veteran can access the rehabilitation and justice they deserve.
Navigating Rehabilitation Benefits: Israel’s Ministry of Defense
How to Properly Prepare Your Claim to the Rehabilitation Department of Israel’s Ministry of Defense
When applying to the Rehabilitation Department of Israel’s Ministry of Defense, the first steps are critical. Even a small mistake at the outset can jeopardize recognition of your injury — and with it, access to treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation.
At the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, our legal team has extensive experience guiding veterans, reservists, and their families through this complex process. Below, we outline the key principles every applicant should know.
1. Prepare Your Medical Documentation
Israeli law requires anyone injured during military service or reserve duty to provide up-to-date medical documentation that clearly describes the condition.
For psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this means obtaining an official diagnosis from a psychiatrist that explicitly states PTSD as a recognized medical condition. Without this documentation, the recognition process cannot even begin.
2. Injury Recognition – The Foundation of the Process
The first stage of filing a claim is injury recognition. At this stage, the Ministry of Defense decides whether your injury will be acknowledged as service-related.
If recognition is denied, the case will not advance to the medical board, blocking any chance of further evaluation. Because of this, precision and legal accuracy at this stage are essential.
3. Preparing for a PTSD Evaluation
PTSD must be recognized as an independent medical condition under Israeli law. Not every complaint will result in recognition.
Your symptoms must be presented in line with clinical diagnostic criteria. Knowing which symptoms matter, and how to describe them, is critical. Consulting both a lawyer and a PTSD specialist can make the difference between approval and rejection.
4. Professional Guidance Is the Key to Success
Every Israeli citizen has the right to apply for rehabilitation if the injury is service-related. However, the outcome depends largely on how the case is presented.
At JIJ, our lawyers provide full guidance at every step — from gathering medical records to preparing for the medical board. Our mission is to ensure your claim is submitted with clarity, accuracy, and confidence.
Conclusion
The recognition process is as much legal as it is medical. Proper preparation and professional guidance often determine whether a claim succeeds or fails.
At JIJ, we provide this legal support completely free of charge, ensuring that every soldier and veteran can access the rehabilitation and justice they deserve.
Fighting for Families of Children with Severe Disabilities
One of Israel’s most urgent social crises: the struggles facing families of children with severe disabilities. JIJ attorneys recently took part in a special Knesset committee addressing this issue. The discussion, chaired by MK Hava Eti Atia, revealed the depth of the problem—parents left without essential state support, battling every day to provide around-the-clock care.
Testimonies from parents were heartbreaking. Many spoke of foreign caregivers suddenly resigning, stipends that do not cover even basic needs, and a complete lack of a backup system when help disappears overnight. Despite years of promised reforms, families continue to face impossible choices, carrying alone the weight of responsibility that should be shared by society and the state.
JIJ’s Legal Aid Department is now preparing a petition to Israel’s High Court of Justice, demanding structural change. Our goal is clear: to secure lasting solutions so that no family raising a child with severe disabilities is left abandoned.
As Adv. Gai Akoka of JIJ emphasized: “Protecting these families is not a matter of charity — it is a matter of rights, justice, and human dignity.”
Through our legal advocacy, we aim not only to highlight this crisis but to ensure that the voices of these families lead to real reform. Justice cannot wait.
Fighting for Families of Children with Severe Disabilities
One of Israel’s most urgent social crises: the struggles facing families of children with severe disabilities. JIJ attorneys recently took part in a special Knesset committee addressing this issue. The discussion, chaired by MK Hava Eti Atia, revealed the depth of the problem—parents left without essential state support, battling every day to provide around-the-clock care.
Testimonies from parents were heartbreaking. Many spoke of foreign caregivers suddenly resigning, stipends that do not cover even basic needs, and a complete lack of a backup system when help disappears overnight. Despite years of promised reforms, families continue to face impossible choices, carrying alone the weight of responsibility that should be shared by society and the state.
JIJ’s Legal Aid Department is now preparing a petition to Israel’s High Court of Justice, demanding structural change. Our goal is clear: to secure lasting solutions so that no family raising a child with severe disabilities is left abandoned.
As Adv. Gai Akoka of JIJ emphasized: “Protecting these families is not a matter of charity — it is a matter of rights, justice, and human dignity.”
Through our legal advocacy, we aim not only to highlight this crisis but to ensure that the voices of these families lead to real reform. Justice cannot wait.
What can JIJ do in a year?
2024 was our busiest and most impactful year since our founding 20 years ago
With your help, in 2024, JIJ provided FREE legal aid to 2,733 survivors of terrorism, human trafficking, and discrimination, including:
- 32 wounded Israeli soldiers
- 40 survivors of human trafficking
- 17 survivors of the October 7th massacre
- 68 families seeking Israeli citizenship or residency
- 112 refugees from Ukraine, Russia, and Eritrea
- 120 Israeli families displaced from their homes on the Gaza & Lebanon borders
How does JIJ do all of this in one year? With you, our amazing supporters. Thank you!
Our media presence grew & our team appeared on:
We met personally with dozens of global leaders, including Israel’s First Lady Michal Herzog, United Nations SRSG Pramila Patten, & US Senators Chris Murphy, Richard Blumenthal, & John Fetterman.
We shared our research, forensic evidence, and legal analysis with diplomats from 30 countries.
January - June
JIJ held a series of free “ Know Your Rights” seminars for:
- 120 Israeli families who became suddenly homeless, unemployed, or disabled as a result of the war
- 57 Ukrainian & Russian refugee families
- 9 of these families receive Israeli citizenship through the Law of Return
- 500 wounded soldiers
Gathered 84 political & religious leaders in the U.S. for a private screening of unedited, uncensored footage of the October 7th massacre recovered from the bodies of Hamas terrorists and compiled by the IDF.
Drafted an urgent petition to Stop Funding UNRWA & persuaded key members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committees to enact a 1-year ban on US funding to UNRWA.
Hosted UN diplomats from 18 countries to hear testimony from Yuval Raphael a survivor of the Oct. 7th massacre. Yuval went to the Nova Festival to dance all night with her friends. At dawn, Hamas invaded, and she sought refuge in a roadside bomb shelter, which became a tomb when terrorists found them.
Launched the Survivors Seeking Justice project, and filmed detailed video testimonies of 17 survivors of the Oct. 7th massacre.
JIJ lawyers presented forensic evidence & first responder testimony to senior UN officials. This proof confirmed a pattern of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on Oct. 7th and stopped the rape deniers in their tracks.
July-December
Discussed Israel’s anti-trafficking law with First Lady Michal Herzog. In 2018, JIJ persuaded the
Knesset to adopt a 5-year pilot program that treats women in the sex industry as victims of abuse, & the pimps as criminals. We’re advocating to make the law permanent!
JIJ assisted Israeli police in busting a major human trafficking ring - resulting in the arrest of 14 human traffickers, which was only possible through the testimony of our brave client.
We gave free seminars to soldiers recuperating at Ichilov & Tel Hashomer Hospitals. While private lawyers take 30-50% of a wounded soldier’s disability benefit as payment, JIJ is the only organization providing FREE legal aid to wounded Israeli soldiers, with 32 new soldier clients in 2024.
Intervened at the International Criminal Court with an amicus brief making it clear that the Court lacks jurisdiction over Israeli leaders.
Partnered with the World Union of Jewish Students to train & empower student leaders. Over 8 weeks, we trained 23 Jewish university students from 16 countries to combat antisemitism on their campuses.
The UN Human Rights Council convened a special gathering on the Jewish New Year, to condemn Israel. The timing was intentional - to prevent opposition. In response, we gave our General Assembly floor time to Amit Levy, brother of Naama Levy, who was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7th. Amit gave powerful testimony on the need to free all of the hostages.
Every single donation you give, whether it’s $1000 or $10, changes lives!
What can JIJ do in a year?
2024 was our busiest and most impactful year since our founding 20 years ago
With your help, in 2024, JIJ provided FREE legal aid to 2,733 survivors of terrorism, human trafficking, and discrimination, including:
- 32 wounded Israeli soldiers
- 40 survivors of human trafficking
- 17 survivors of the October 7th massacre
- 68 families seeking Israeli citizenship or residency
- 112 refugees from Ukraine, Russia, and Eritrea
- 120 Israeli families displaced from their homes on the Gaza & Lebanon borders
How does JIJ do all of this in one year? With you, our amazing supporters. Thank you!
Our media presence grew & our team appeared on:
We met personally with dozens of global leaders, including Israel’s First Lady Michal Herzog, United Nations SRSG Pramila Patten, & US Senators Chris Murphy, Richard Blumenthal, & John Fetterman.
We shared our research, forensic evidence, and legal analysis with diplomats from 30 countries.
January - June
JIJ held a series of free “ Know Your Rights” seminars for:
- 120 Israeli families who became suddenly homeless, unemployed, or disabled as a result of the war
- 57 Ukrainian & Russian refugee families
- 9 of these families receive Israeli citizenship through the Law of Return
- 500 wounded soldiers
Gathered 84 political & religious leaders in the U.S. for a private screening of unedited, uncensored footage of the October 7th massacre recovered from the bodies of Hamas terrorists and compiled by the IDF.
Drafted an urgent petition to Stop Funding UNRWA & persuaded key members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committees to enact a 1-year ban on US funding to UNRWA.
Hosted UN diplomats from 18 countries to hear testimony from Yuval Raphael a survivor of the Oct. 7th massacre. Yuval went to the Nova Festival to dance all night with her friends. At dawn, Hamas invaded, and she sought refuge in a roadside bomb shelter, which became a tomb when terrorists found them.
Launched the Survivors Seeking Justice project, and filmed detailed video testimonies of 17 survivors of the Oct. 7th massacre.
JIJ lawyers presented forensic evidence & first responder testimony to senior UN officials. This proof confirmed a pattern of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on Oct. 7th and stopped the rape deniers in their tracks.
July-December
Discussed Israel’s anti-trafficking law with First Lady Michal Herzog. In 2018, JIJ persuaded the
Knesset to adopt a 5-year pilot program that treats women in the sex industry as victims of abuse, & the pimps as criminals. We’re advocating to make the law permanent!
JIJ assisted Israeli police in busting a major human trafficking ring - resulting in the arrest of 14 human traffickers, which was only possible through the testimony of our brave client.
We gave free seminars to soldiers recuperating at Ichilov & Tel Hashomer Hospitals. While private lawyers take 30-50% of a wounded soldier’s disability benefit as payment, JIJ is the only organization providing FREE legal aid to wounded Israeli soldiers, with 32 new soldier clients in 2024.
Intervened at the International Criminal Court with an amicus brief making it clear that the Court lacks jurisdiction over Israeli leaders.
Partnered with the World Union of Jewish Students to train & empower student leaders. Over 8 weeks, we trained 23 Jewish university students from 16 countries to combat antisemitism on their campuses.
The UN Human Rights Council convened a special gathering on the Jewish New Year, to condemn Israel. The timing was intentional - to prevent opposition. In response, we gave our General Assembly floor time to Amit Levy, brother of Naama Levy, who was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7th. Amit gave powerful testimony on the need to free all of the hostages.