What to Do if You Are Left with a Disability

Welfare services for persons with disabilities (local government in each area)
Covers: Persons with disabilities, etc.

With the aim of supporting the independent life of persons with disabilities, we offer: 1) Independent Living Benefits, and 2) Community Life Support Services. Independent Living Benefits provide the necessary individual support. Community Life Support Services are channeled through the creative efforts of municipalities, etc. For example, there are nursing care benefits such as visiting home-help services, and training benefits such as training for independence and self-reliance. These provide necessary training to improve physical functions and daily living skills. They are offered for a set period at daytime facilities.

The main services are as follows.

Independent Living Benefits

Nursing care benefits (home help, visiting care for persons with severe disabilities, short-stay care, support for institutionalization, etc.)
Training and other benefits (training for self-reliance, support for transition to employment, group homes, etc.)
Consultation support benefits (planning consultation support, such as preparation of service utilization plans, and community consultation support)
Self-Pay Burden of the Medical Payment for Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities (rehabilitation, developmental medical care, outpatient mental health care)
Benefits for prosthetic devices

Community Life Support Services

Consultation support for persons with disabilities and their families, etc., community activity support centers for promoting social interaction through creative activities for persons with disabilities, and welfare homes, etc.

Persons with disabilities who wish to access welfare services need to apply to their municipality and receive a grant decision, such as certification of the classification of their disability (support) level. After a grant decision has been made, a claimant certification for welfare service for persons with disabilities will be issued.

For more information, please contact the department in charge of disability welfare at your municipal office.

Disability Certificate (local government in each area)
Covers: Persons with disabilities, etc.

In addition to the claimant certification for welfare service for persons with disabilities, a disability certificate can be issued depending on the degree of disability.
There are three types of disability certificate: the Physical Disability Certificate for those with physical disabilities, the Intellectual Disability Certificate for those with intellectual disabilities, and the Mental Disability Certificate for those with mental disorders.

The welfare services available to people with a disability certificate vary depending on the region, and the type and grade of the certificate. Services include home improvement expenses, wheelchairs and canes, income tax and resident tax deductions, and discounts on trains and buses. For details, please consult with the department in charge of disability welfare in your municipality.

Disability Pension (Japan Pension Service)
Covers: Public pension payers

The system differs depending on the pension (National Pension Plan or Employees' Pension Plan) in which the person with disability is enrolled.

National Pension Plan (Basic Disability Pension Plan)

If you have an illness or injury that occurred while you were enrolled in the National Pension Plan and have an initial consultation date (the date you first saw a doctor for the illness or injury that caused the disability), and you are disabled according to the table of disability grades (Grade 1 or 2) set by law, you will be paid a basic disability pension.

Employees' Pension (Employees' Disability Pension)

If, with a date of first diagnosis while you are enrolled in the Employees' Pension Plan, you become disabled due to an illness or injury that falls under Grade 1 or 2 of the Basic Disability Pension Plan, you will receive an employees' disability pension on top of the basic disability pension. In addition, if the disability is of a mild degree that does not fall under Grade 2, a Grade 3 employees' disability pension will be granted.
In addition, if the illness or injury is cured within five years from the date of initial diagnosis and the patient is left with a disability that is less severe than those covered by the employees' disability pension, a disability allowance (lump sum) will be paid.

For detailed information on the requirements for receiving benefits, the amount to be paid, etc., please visit the website of the Japan Pension Service
(https://www.nenkin.go.jp/service/jukyu/shougainenkin/jukyu-yoken/20150401-01.html)
or search for "Pension Service Disability Pension."

For more information, please contact the "Nenkin Dial" (pension hotline), your local pension office or pension consultation center. Please also consult with the National Pension Department of your local municipality regarding the National Pension Plan.

Industrial Accident Compensation Pension (Labor Standards Inspection Office)
Covers: Accidents on the job or during commuting

Disability compensation benefits (in the case of work-related accidents) or disability benefits (in the case of commuting accidents) are paid when a traffic accident on the job or during commuting results in certain physical disabilities. If the residual disability corresponds to a disability grade, the following benefits will be paid according to the degree of disability.

• Grades 1 to 7: disability (compensation) pension, special disability payment, and special disability pension
• Grades 8 to 14: Lump-sum disability (compensation) payment, special disability payment, and special disability lump-sum payment

The National Pension Plan (basic disability pension) and the Employees' Pension Plan (employees' disability pension) can be paid together, but the industrial accident compensation pension will be paid at a reduced rate.

For detailed information on eligibility requirements and payment amounts, please visit the website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
(https://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/roudoukijun/pamphlet_faq.html)
or search for "Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and Industrial Accident Compensation."

For details, please contact the Workers' Compensation Hotline or the Labor Standards Inspection Office in the area where you work.

Industrial Accident Compensation Nursing Care Benefits (Labor Standards Inspection Office)
Covers: Some industrial accident compensation pension recipients who were involved in an accident on the job or while commuting to work.

If you are a recipient of a disability (compensation) pension with a disability grade of "mental, neurological, or thoracic and abdominal organ disorders" of Grade 1 or 2 and are currently receiving nursing care as a result of a traffic accident on the job or during commuting, nursing care compensation benefits (for work injury) or nursing care benefits (for commuting injury) will be paid to you. (in the case of a commuting accident).

For detailed information on eligibility requirements and payment amounts, please visit the website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
(https://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/roudoukijun/pamphlet_faq.html)
or search for "Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and Industrial Accident Compensation."

For details, please contact the Workers' Compensation Hotline or the Labor Standards Inspection Office in the area where you work.

Benefit for Home Nursing Care (National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid (NASVA))
Covers: Automobile accidents in general

Those who are in need of constant or occasional nursing care for daily living activities such as movement, eating, and using the bathroom due to a severe residual disability resulting from an injury to the brain, spinal cord, or thorax and abdominal organs caused by an automobile accident are eligible to receive benefits for home nursing care from NASVA. The monthly allowance will be paid within the following range for each type of eligibility, according to the amount of out-of-pocket expenses incurred for nursing care during the month. If the amount paid out-of-pocket for nursing care is less than the minimum amount, the minimum amount will be paid.
The benefits cannot be used in conjunction with industrial accident compensation insurance nursing care benefits, etc.

For detailed information on payment requirements, application procedures, etc., please visit the NASVA website
(https://www.nasva.go.jp/sasaeru/kaigoryo.html)
or search for "NASVA nursing care fees."

For more information, please contact your local NASVA branch office.

Help for Short-Term Hospitalization And Short-Stay Service (National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid (NASVA))
Covers: Recipients of benefits for home nursing care

NASVA subsidizes part of the amount paid by the patient for transportation, room and board, and helper expenses when using short-term hospitalization/residential care.

For detailed information on payment requirements, application procedures, etc., please visit the NASVA website
(https://www.nasva.go.jp/sasaeru/tanki.html)
or search for "NASVA Short-Term Hospitalization Subsidy."

Support System for Children of Persons with Residual Disability

In addition to programs for bereaved family members of deceased persons, some programs are available for children of people with severe residual disability.

Nursing Care Consultation (National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid (NASVA))
Covers: Recipients of benefits for home nursing care

Home nursing care consultation services have been opened at each of NASVA's main branches to handle consultations regarding home nursing care, etc. from recipients of benefits for home nursing care and their families. The home nursing care consultation service is staffed by nurses, care workers, home helpers, and other counselors with specialized knowledge.

Visit to Beneficiary's Home (National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid (NASVA))
Covers: Recipients of benefits for home nursing care

NASVA staff members visit the homes of persons with severe disabilities due to automobile accidents (those eligible to receive benefits for home nursing care from NASVA). The staff provide psychological support to the victims and their families by offering consultations and listening to the concerns of the victims themselves and their families. They also provide useful information related to nursing care.

Consultation and Support Services by NASVA (National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid (NASVA))

NASVA has set up a free consultation service run by organizations for car accident victims and bereaved families, which is run by people with the same concerns as you.

Beneficiary's Meetings for Family Members of Persons with Severe Disabilities due to Automobile Accidents and Caregiving Family (National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid (NASVA))
Covers: Recipients of benefits for home nursing care

The program provides a forum for exchange among NASVA recipients of benefits for home nursing care and family caregivers to reduce their loneliness by exchanging opinions about their concerns and to share information. In addition, with the cooperation of related organizations, we also hold workshops and study groups to provide information on nursing care techniques and other topics.

"Tomo-no-Kai" support association for children orphaned etc. by traffic accidents (National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid and Prevention (NASVA))

Not only children of bereaved family members, but also children of those with severe residual disability are eligible.

What is higher brain dysfunction due to brain trauma?

Higher brain dysfunction due to brain trauma (hereinafter referred to as "higher brain dysfunction") is a disorder in which symptoms such as cognitive impairment and personality changes occur due to brain damage caused by automobile accidents, etc. It is a disorder that interferes with work and daily life. It may also be accompanied by neurological symptoms such as hemiparesis and instability in standing and walking.

Approval of CALI (Mutual Insurance) Cover for Residual Disability for Higher Brain Dysfunction

Under CALI (mutual insurance), in cases of higher brain dysfunction caused by an automobile accident, there is a need to accurately investigate and certify the grade of residual disability. To this end, the General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan (GIROJ) has established a Specialist Subcommittee for Examination of higher brain dysfunction under CALI (Mutual Insurance). The Subcommittee consists of neurosurgeons, lawyers, and others, and ensures the fairness and objectivity of medical examinations.

Enhancement of the Higher Brain Dysfunction Recognition System in CALI (Mutual Insurance)

In 2000, the Higher Brain Dysfunction Certification System was established by GIROJ. The System was designed based on a wide range of opinions from doctors, lawyers, experts, and other specialists as a basic approach for the certification of higher brain dysfunction and other residual disabilities, Since then, the System has been regularly verified and its content has been enhanced in light of medical advances and medical technology. (The latest time was in July, 2018)

Efforts to Enhance the Recognition of Residual Disability for Higher Brain Dysfunction

In order to certify higher brain dysfunction, imaging (CT, MRI, etc.) examination data (especially of the head) are an important factor in judgment. Data need to be taken from immediately after the accident to the time when the symptoms of residual disability are fixed. In addition, we believe that a more detailed understanding of the presence or absence of impaired consciousness at the time of injury, its degree (including duration), the course of symptoms, and cognitive functions, as well as imaging test data, will lead to further enhancement of the accuracy of the certification. Another important factor is how the victim's daily living conditions, employment status, social life, etc. have been changed by the accident. For this reason, the examining doctor, family members, and those actually providing care to the victim may be asked to prepare a simple report. All of these documents are necessary to accurately certify higher brain dysfunction. We appreciate your cooperation.
Having received the report on the above verification work from the GIROJ, MLIT will widely inform relevant organizations, etc. to make further efforts to protect victims of residual disabilities (such as higher brain dysfunction) by reviewing the system for the approval of grade of residual disability, etc.

• Circular from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism [PDF/48KB]
• General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan（GIROJ） Website

Project to Improve the Environment for Accepting Victims of Automobile Accidents (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

MLIT provides subsidies to support facilities and group homes for persons with disabilities. The subsidies go toward expenses related to the introduction of equipment and securing caregivers in preparation for the future without a caregiver. They support the development of a safe and secure living environment for persons with severe disabilities due to automobile accidents.

Home nursing care Environment Improvement Project (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

MLIT subsidizes the cost of securing caregivers for businesses that provide home-visit care services in preparation for the future without a caregiver. We support the development of an environment that ensures a safe and secure life for persons with severe disabilities due to automobile accidents.