Step-by-step: how to proceed

1. Discuss your current limitations with a doctor. Ask your family doctor or specialist to record structured information in the national e-Health system (e-Tervise) about persistent limitations and their duration, since this documentation speeds up the assessment.
2. Choose the correct application form. Select the form that matches your group – child, working-age person, or pensioner. Forms are available on the SKA website under “Taotlused, blanketid”.
3. Submit the application through a suitable channel. The recommended route is SKA e-self-service. Digital-signature email, postal submission, or in-person delivery at a client office are also possible.
4. Wait for SKA’s assessment. An expert evaluates the activity limitations and issues a decision about the degree of disability and the validity period.
5. Receive the decision and the card. The decision is sent via the method you chose. SKA issues the disability card automatically and sends it using your preferred delivery method.

What counts as disability

Disability is established when a long-term and persistent functional impairment leads to notable participation and performance limitations in everyday activities, even when appropriate treatment and assistive devices are used. The purpose of the procedure is to assess support needs and to assign suitable benefits and measures.

What is not a basis

• The mere need for treatment or the number of prescribed medicines cannot serve as a sufficient basis for disability determination.
• Frequent doctor visits without documented persistent functional limitations do not constitute an adequate basis for establishing disability.
• For a child, age-appropriate medication use or frequent minor infections without described long-term limitations is not considered a valid basis.

Who can be assessed

• Children under 16 years. Assessment applies when long-term participation and performance limitations persist despite treatment and assistive devices.
• Working-age persons. The SKA procedure often follows the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s (Töötukassa) work-ability decision or proceeds documentarily based on medical data.
• Old-age pensioners. Assessment applies when long-standing limitations are not sufficiently compensable by treatment and daily basic activities require assistance or support services.

Application and submission channels

• SKA e-self-service: log in and apply online.
• Email with digital signature: info@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee.
• By post: Paldiski mnt 80, 15092 Tallinn.
• In person: at an SKA client service office.

NB – SKA does not accept uncertified copies. Submit the original or a digitally signed document, except when applying through e-self-service.

Forms and instructions: Taotlused, blanketid.

Children under 16

For children, the degree of disability is usually assigned for a period between six months and three years. For persistent or progressive conditions, the decision may remain valid until the end of the calendar year in which the child turns sixteen. The validity depends on the diagnosis, clinical dynamics, and prognosis.

Read more about children’s assessment

Working-age persons

The SKA process often starts after Töötukassa has issued a work-ability decision. When determining the degree of disability, SKA considers Töötukassa’s expert view on activity limitations. If a valid work-ability decision exists, SKA may perform a documentary assessment without requesting a new work-ability evaluation.

Details for working-age persons

Old-age pensioners

Disability is established when persistent limitations cannot be sufficiently compensated by treatment and when basic daily activities require assistance and supportive services. The application follows the same principles, accompanied by the relevant medical documentation.

Details for old-age pensioners

Validity, renewal, and early reassessment

• Regular renewal. Submit a new application roughly fifty working days before the current decision expires if your condition has not improved and limitations remain present.
• Early reassessment. If your condition changes significantly before the end of the validity period, apply earlier and ensure that your doctor has recorded the changes in the e-Health system.

Disability card and concessions

SKA issues the disability card automatically after a positive decision and sends it using your chosen delivery method. The card is used to prove eligibility for concessions at various service providers and must be presented together with an identity document.

• Legal basis for the card in Riigiteataja
• Forms and instructions on the SKA site

If you disagree with the decision

If you do not agree with SKA’s decision, you have the right to file an objection with SKA or bring a claim to court. The objection instructions and templates are available on the SKA website.

SKA contacts

• Information line: 612 1360
• Email: info@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee
• E-self-service: open here