Family members of returned hostages may be eligible for emotional and complementary treatments within the framework of the One Soul reform.
Mental, emotional, and complementary treatments
Parents and spouses
Parents and spouses of hostages who returned from captivity are entitled to the funding of psychotherapy, up to one hour a week, in the amount of up to NIS 384 per meeting including VAT (NIS 328 excluding VAT).
Individual, couples or family therapy can be chosen. The reimbursement of expenses will be paid for treatment provided by a person authorized by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Welfare to provide psychotherapy (such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker).
Please note, in exceptional cases and in times of crisis, it is possible to approve an increase to twice a week for 3 months. In case of a request to increase the scope of treatment, please attach the recommendation of the therapist.
Children of the returned hostages
Children (up to the age of 30) of hostages who returned from captivity are entitled to the funding of mental or alternative treatment, up to one hour a week.
- For children aged 7-30 you can choose between individual psychotherapy, art therapy or animal therapy.
- For children aged 7-18, alternative therapy can be chosen as an option.
The refund amount is up to NIS 384 per meeting including VAT (NIS 328 excluding VAT).
For alternative treatment, the refund is up to NIS 351 per meeting including VAT (NIS 300 excluding VAT).
The reimbursement of expenses will be paid for treatment provided by a person authorized by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Welfare to provide psychotherapy (such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker).Art therapy will be provided by a therapist with a master's degree in art therapy and a member of the Association for Creative Arts Therapies (YAHAT). Animal-assisted therapy will be given by someone authorized to provide this treatment at one of the HMOs or a member of the "Merhav" Association. Alternative treatment will take place in one of the HMOs or with a therapist recognized as the provider of this service to the members of one of the HMOs in that calendar year.
Please note, in exceptional cases and in times of crisis, it is possible to approve an increase to twice a week for 3 months. In case of a request to increase the scope of treatment, please attach the recommendation of the therapist.
How do I become eligible?
To receive the refund, fill out a "Request of a family member of a hostile actions casualty for reimbursement of mental treatments" (BL/2726).
You can fill out the form online on the National Insurance website or download a manual form and send it to the handling branch.
The form must be accompanied by an original invoice or receipt with the patient's name, ID number, nature of the treatment, the caregiver's name and position, as well as the caregiver's signature and stamp.
For further details, please contact the One Soul Center: 03-5127118.
Mentorship services
Children aged 5-18 of returned hostages are eligible for mentorship, up to 4 hours per week divided into two sessions (each two hours long). In exceptional cases and in the case of children under the age of 5 or children aged 18 who are still studying in the 12th grade – you can contact a rehabilitation worker.
The payment will be transferred directly to the provider of the Ministry of Defense.
Please note that although the National Insurance funds this service it has no professional responsibility for the selection of the mentor, the contents of the program or its results.