Injury Benefit in National Insurance: Everything You Need to Know

What Is Injury Benefit and Why It Matters

Injury benefit is a monthly payment made by the National Insurance Institute to a worker injured in a work accident who is unable to work. It replaces the salary lost during the treatment and hospitalisation period. Injury benefit can be received for up to 182 days (approximately six months), after which the process moves to work disability benefit.

Injury benefit is among the most important benefits the National Insurance provides, as it guarantees income during the most difficult phase, when the injured person is hospitalised or in treatment and cannot work. Early and correct filing is critical to receiving the full entitlement.

Who Is Entitled to Injury Benefit: Detailed Definitions

Any employed or self-employed worker injured in a work accident. The definition of “work accident” includes: an accident during work, an accident on the way to work and back (by car, on foot, by public transport), an accident on the way to lunch if the trip was for work purposes, and a professional illness that developed as a result of work.

What is not considered a work accident: an accident that occurred during a regular work break (such as a stop to buy personal items on the way from work), an accident not related to the work function, and an accident caused intentionally. The boundary of entitlement is not always clear, and a lawyer can examine the circumstances.

How Injury Benefit Is Calculated: Formula and Examples

Injury benefit is calculated based on the average salary in the 3 months prior to the injury. Employees receive 75% of the salary. Self-employed receive according to the income reported to the National Insurance Institute. There are minimum and maximum amounts.

Example for an employee: average monthly salary in the 3 months before the injury: 12,000 NIS. Daily injury benefit: 12,000 divided by 30 = 400 NIS per day. Multiplied by 75% = 300 NIS per day. For a period of 91 days (3 months): 27,300 NIS. The current maximum stands at approximately 1,360 NIS per day (as of 2025).

Example for a self-employed person: annual income reported: 120,000 NIS. Average monthly income: 10,000 NIS. Daily injury benefit: 10,000 divided by 30 = 333 NIS. Multiplied by 75% = 250 NIS per day. Note: self-employed who reported low income will receive low injury benefit. Therefore it is important to report accurate income.

How to File an Injury Benefit Claim: Step-by-Step Guide

Step one: obtain medical approval from a doctor certifying inability to work and the connection to the work accident. Step two: obtain employer approval certifying inability to work (for employees). Step three: file a claim at the National Insurance branch with all the documents.

Step four: the National Insurance will examine the event and approve or reject the claim. The approval process generally takes 2-4 weeks. Step five: upon approval, the first payment will arrive in your bank account. Step six: continue to provide updated medical reports throughout the period of receiving the benefit.

Important: you must file an injury benefit claim as early as possible. Filing within 12 months of the injury allows retroactive payment. Late filing may reduce the entitlement regarding months that have passed.

After Injury Benefit: What Happens After 182 Days

After 182 days, if it is still not possible to return to work, the process moves to work disability benefit. A claim for work disability benefit is filed according to the disability percentage determined by the National Insurance medical committee, and a monthly pension is paid. It is important to act in time so as not to lose eligibility days.

In addition to work disability benefit, it is possible to sue the employer in tort if the injury occurred due to negligence. Both claims do not contradict each other, but there is a partial set-off. A lawyer specialising in work accidents can plan a strategy that maximises the overall compensation.

Common Mistakes Worth Avoiding

First mistake: no immediate reporting to the employer and National Insurance. A work accident must be reported immediately. Every delay makes it difficult to prove that it is a work accident and not a private event. Second mistake: reliance on general medical approvals. The medical approval must specifically state that the injury is related to work.

Third mistake: no preservation of witnesses. If there were witnesses to the accident, get their contact details immediately. Colleague testimony is important evidence. Fourth mistake: waiting too long after initial rejection. Approximately 25% of claims rejected initially are later approved on appeal. Fifth mistake: signing documents for the insurance company without legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if the employer claims the injury did not happen at work?

The National Insurance conducts an independent investigation. If there is evidence such as witnesses, camera footage, an ambulance report, the National Insurance may approve the claim even against the employer’s position. It is advisable to gather all available evidence. A lawyer can assist in presenting the evidence.

Can I receive injury benefit if I am self-employed?

Yes. Self-employed workers are entitled to injury benefit exactly like employees. The difference is in the calculation: injury benefit is calculated according to the income reported to the National Insurance. If the reported income is lower than the actual income, the injury benefit will also be low. This is one of the reasons it is important to report accurate income.

What happens if I have both a work accident and private insurance that covers loss of work capacity?

You can receive both, but you must check the conditions of the specific private policy. Part of private policies include a set-off clause that reduces their payment by the amount of injury benefit paid by the National Insurance. It is possible to receive both in full in some cases.

Can I work while receiving injury benefit?

No. Receipt of injury benefit is conditional on your inability to work due to the injury. Working while receiving injury benefit is considered National Insurance fraud and may result in repayment of the amounts, fines, and even criminal proceedings.

Is an accident that occurred during a business trip abroad eligible for injury benefit?

Yes, if you were abroad on behalf of the employer. A business trip is considered a continuation of “work accident” even when it takes place outside Israel. The connection to the business trip must be documented in the claim submission.

What happens if the National Insurance approved only part of my entitlement days?

You can appeal the decision. File an appeal with the appeals committee with additional medical documents proving inability to work for the entire period claimed. A lawyer specialising in National Insurance can strengthen the appeal and submit a comprehensive medical opinion.

For assistance with injury benefit, contact a National Insurance lawyer at the Lev-Taieb firm: 072-2428822.