An official from the State Medical Insurance and Examination Agency has explained the rules for granting permanent disability status. Loss of a limb, incurable illness and reaching retirement age are among the main factors that determine it.
Tural Gurbanov, head of the Public Relations and Communication Department at the State Medical Insurance and Examination Agency, has outlined the conditions under which permanent disability status is granted. The process is based on criteria set out in Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 187 of May 13, 2022. According to Gurbanov, the status is immediately made permanent in cases involving incurable illnesses, irreversible changes in the body, or serious physical or psychiatric impairments.
Gurbanov noted that the complete loss of an arm or a leg is considered one of the main grounds for granting permanent disability status. However, he explained that the loss of fingers alone due to diabetes or vascular disease does not automatically create such a right – in these cases, the decision depends on the severity of the underlying diagnosis.
From time-limited disability to permanent status
According to the agency representative, people who were previously granted disability status for a fixed period can also obtain permanent status over time. Under the rules, those with a 31-60% functional impairment qualify after 15 years, those with 61-80% impairment after 10 years, and those with 81-100% impairment after four years, provided a follow-up medical examination confirms the disability.
Gurbanov added that changes in the disability percentage across different categories during this period do not affect the calculation. Even people registered with varying percentages over time can be granted permanent status once the 15-year period ends and a review is carried out.
In addition, for citizens who reach retirement age, disability status is automatically made permanent during assessment. As a result, permanent disability status applies not only to those with severe health conditions but also to others who meet the time periods and conditions set out in law.
