Rights10/18/2026

Social Workers Boycott Pilot for Services for People with Disabilities

The Ministry of Welfare is launching a pilot in seven local authorities ahead of the entry into force of the Welfare Services for People with Disabilities Law. The Social Workers’ Union refused to participate, arguing that without additional staff and resources, the reform will only increase the workload.

Key facts

•The law was enacted in 2022
•Approximately 200,000 potential service recipients
•The first phase—seven local authorities
•Afterward—approximately 40 additional local authorities
•The average workload—approximately 200 cases per specialist

What the Law Provides

The law, enacted in 2022, is intended to regulate welfare services for approximately 200,000 people with disabilities. It enshrines the right to independent living in the community, rather than only in designated settings, and expands the ability to choose the support needed. The law has not yet entered into force because the Knesset’s Welfare Committee has not yet approved the regulations for its implementation.

How the Disability Recognition Process Will Change

Instead of classifying applicants by type of disability—such as autism or intellectual disability—the plan is to determine the need for services according to the level of support required. The ministry has developed a system through which a person with a disability or their relatives will be able to submit an application independently. The ministry believes that moving the recognition process outside the social services departments of local authorities will reduce their workload.

Why the Social Workers Object

The union argues that the reform will expand the pool of service recipients and increase the amount of work involved in arranging employment, leisure activities, and other assistance in the community. Even today, a social worker specializing in people with disabilities handles an average of approximately 200 cases. The ministry has not set a maximum number of cases for family social workers, although such limits exist for several other specializations.

The Ministry’s Position and Next Steps

The local authorities participating in the pilot have committed to appointing a disability affairs coordinator, who is not required to be a social worker. The coordinator will serve as a liaison between residents and social services departments and assist with the recognition process. The union believes this step is insufficient and is demanding an increase in the number of social workers; in the coming months, the pilot is planned to be expanded to approximately 40 additional local authorities.

What this means for you

For people with disabilities, the reform is intended to simplify the application process and provide more options for receiving support to enable independent living in the community. However, the union’s refusal to participate could hinder the pilot and access to services if the staffing dispute is not resolved. The source does not specify exactly how the boycott will affect the date on which the law enters into force.

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