A disability is a long-term established (that is hard to reverse or irreversible) condition:
- in the case of which there is a deficiency or disorder of a permanent nature of any structure of the body (one or several);
- due to which the ability of the individual to cope is limited in regular situations;
- due to which the individual requires personal assistance and/or technical aids.
The degree of disability is determined by the National Social Insurance Board. The bases for determining a disability are different in the case of children, working age people, and persons of retirement age.
There are three degrees of disability: profound, severe, and moderate disability.
Determining the degree of disability in children and old-age pensioners
In the case of a child (up to the age of 16), the degree of disability is determined if they have a long-term restriction to participation or performance of a permanent nature and they encounter difficulties in coping with daily operations in spite of receiving treatment and using a technical aid.
The degree of disability is determined in children for six months to three years, and until reaching the age of 16 (working age) in the case of a unchanging and likely progressing condition.
In the case of a person of retirement age, the degree of disability is determined if they experience long-term permanent restrictions which cannot be controlled by treatment and if they need personal assistance and/or support services for coping with their daily main activities in spite of using a technical aid.
The degree of disability is determined in persons of retirement age for six months to five years. If a person of retirement age has an unchanging or progressive permanent condition which is not compensated for by treatment, medicinal products, technical aids or services, the degree of disability may be determined for life.
The duration of the degree of disability is determined by an expert based on the state of health of the applicant, the current expenditure, and the prognosis for its change.
For more information of determining the degree of disability of a child and determining the degree of disability of a person of retirement age, see the website of the National Social Insurance Board.
Determining the degree of disability of a person of working age
The degree of disability of a person of working age (a person aged 16 to retirement age) is determined based on the restrictions on daily activity and participation in society as follows:
- profound disability if the daily activities or participation in society of the person are completely hindered;
- severe disability if the daily activities or participation in society of the person are hindered;
- moderate if there are difficulties in the daily activities or participation of the person in society.
If the work ability has also been assessed, the period of the reduced work ability is usually taken into consideration in determining the duration of the disability. The degree of disability is determined for up to five years, but not beyond retirement age. Up to the retirement age, the degree of disability can also be determined if a condition precluding work ability has been confirmed, which is unchanging or progressing, taking into consideration the nature and expected duration of the health impairment of the individual.
A person of working age can apply for the determination of the degree of disability along with an assessment of their work ability. In this case, a joint application can be submitted to the Unemployment Insurance Fund. At the same time, you can apply for social benefits for disabled people. The work ability is determined by the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the degree of disability is determined by the National Social Insurance Board.
You can read more about the determination of the degree of disability of a person of working age on the website of the National Social Insurance Board.
Applying for a social benefit
Social benefits for disabled persons are granted and paid to individuals for whom the degree of severity of the disability has been determined. In order to receive a social benefit for a disabled person, an application must be filled in. The application must be filled in for each first application, for repeat determination of the degree of disability, if more than one year has passed since payment of the benefit ended, and upon the transfer from the disabled child allowance to the disability allowance for a person of working age.
You can submit the application:
- by submitting in the self-service environment via communication and notification;
- by filling in and signing it digitally and sending it to [email protected];
- by filling it in at a customer service point;
- by sending it to Paldiski mnt 80, Tallinn, 15092.
If you have any questions, call the information line of the National Social Insurance Board at (+372) 612 1360, write to the e-mail address [email protected], or contact us through the self-service.
Related articles
- Disability card
- Assessment of work ability
- Work ability card
- Rehabilitation service
- Special care services
- Technical aids
References