Disability

Disability pension

Full disability pension

An insured person may qualify for a full disability pension provided that:

• s/he has become fully disabled and has completed the required period of insurance and s/he has not fulfilled conditions for entitlement to old age pension on the date of the beginning of the full disability, or, if s/he has been awarded a permanently reduced early old-age pension for reasons of having not reached retirement age.
• s/he has become fully disabled as a result of an injury at work or an occupational disease

Partial disability pension

An insured person may qualify for a partial disability pension provided that:

• s/he has become partially disabled and was insured for the necessary period.
• s/he has become partially disabled as a consequence of an injury at work or an occupational disease

Partial disability pension and earned income

If the average earned income per month:

• does not exceed 66 per cent of the personal assessment base on which the pension was calculated and which was increased in relation to the general increase in wages in the period between granting the pension and the date of the earned income check (hereinafter "comparable assessment base"), the partial disability pension is paid in its full amount.
• is higher than 66 per cent but does not exceed 80 per cent of the comparable assessment base, the partial disability pension will amount to 50 per cent of the calculation base and 50 per cent of the percentage assessment.
• exceeds s 80 per cent of the comparable assessment base, the partial disability pension is not paid.

Partial disability pension is paid:

• in its full amount, if the total earned income in a calendar year does not exceed the sum of the minimum subsistence level multiplied by twelve (effective on 1st January of the relevant calendar year in which the average monthly income of the person concerned is assessed).
• regardless of earned income, if the person was awarded pension due to disability considerably aggravating his/her general living conditions. This type of pension is awarded even if the beneficiary works abroad. In other cases when the person concerned works abroad, the partial disability pension is not paid.

Assessment service

Benefits based on unfavourable health state

For the purposes of social security the assessment of health conditions is made by doctors of the district social security administrations (OSSZ). There are several exceptions to this rule, particularly in the sickness insurance and social services system.

In the sickness insurance system, temporary incapacity for work is confirmed by a general practitioner, who in some cases requires the consent of an OSSZ doctor. OSSZ doctors may also control the work of GPs concerning temporary incapacity for work and may decide upon the termination of a temporary incapacity by a decision of OSSZ.

In the social services system, assessment is not made by OSSZ doctors. If a health condition is to be assessed, the method of assessment depends on the opinion made by relevant social service authority or on the service provider directly.

Rights and obligations of the assessment service

Assessment made by the assessment service body must be based on an objectively assessed health condition of an individual and must comply with the assessment criteria as stipulated in law or other generally binding legal regulations. When compiling an assessment the assessment body must study the medical reports and assessment made by specialists concerning the individual's health condition, and take into consideration the results of its own examinations. The body may also invite the assessed individual to undergo an examination in a designated health care institution. The assessed individual must be notified of the result of the assessment, including information regarding further possible action in her/his case.

Assessment service and the EU

Each EU country follows its own regulations and assessment categories in the assessment of health conditions.

If an individual is outside the country where s/he is entitled to benefits, s/he would not normally be required to return to her/his home country for the purpose of an assessment. In such cases, the state in which person is resident, may make a medical report that will be submitted to the State where the person is entitled to receive benefits. The State where person is entitled to benefits may then reserve the right to have the person examined by a doctor of its choice.

E-forms

Considering different organisation of assessment services in different EU countries, there are uniform European forms, so-called E-forms. In the Czech Republic the forms are completed in by GPs. However, the responsibility for the presentation of the form rests with the relevant institution.

Temporary incapacity for work

In the event of the temporary incapacity for work of a person who is subject to co-ordination of social security, that occurs in the Czech Republic, the person concerned may ask the GP in the Czech Republic to complete form no. E 116. The GP will submit the completed form, together with a domestic confirmation of temporary incapacity for work, to the patient who must then deliver both the forms to the relevant OSSZ according to the place of work of the GP, within three days. The relevant OSSZ doctor will authorise the E 116 form and OSSZ will send it, together with the Application for cash benefits in the event of temporary incapacity for work (E 115 form), to the relevant institution in the member state where the person concerned is insured.

Other claims based on unfavourable health state

In other cases, the GP only completes E-forms on request by the OSSZ. The OSSZ contacts the GP if it receives a request from the relevant institution in another EU member country for such an E-form to be completed in cases where a person insured by that institution is staying in the Czech Republic. This primarily concerns medical reports for the purpose of consideration of entitlement to disability pensions and family benefits.

Social assistance benefits

Closely related or other person care allowances

Entitled to the closely related or other person care allowance shal be:

• a citizen who provides personal, all-day and due care for a closely related or other person who is prevailingly or totally helpless, or over the age of 80 and partly helpless. If the claimant cares for another person, this person must live in the same household;
• a parent, grandparent or other person who has assumed a child into care substituting parental care based upon a decision by relevant authority, who cares for a minor child above one year of age, such child being long-term severely handicapped and in need of extraordinary care according to the special legislation.

The all-day care requirement shal be deemed met e.g. by completed time not exceeding four hours a day througout the time period whed the pre-school age child has been attending a day nursery or kindergarten; and throughout the time period of schooling in case of a child attending the compulsory education. The condition is also met where the person caring for a relation or other person has arranged for this person's care by another adult at a time when she/he has to resolve essential personal matters or perform gainful activity.

Limited gainful activity does not make the claimant ineligible for the benefit. The allowance amount is fixed as 2,25multiple of the minimum subsistence level amount necessary for ensuring sustenance and other basic personal needs; and 3,85multiple where caring for two or more people.

Applications for the benefit are submitted to the authorised municipality that pays the benefit. The benefit is provided on a monthly basis throughout the period of eligibility.

Social assistance benefits for the severely handicapped

More information - The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs