Your rights at the National Insurance Institute 2014
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Your rights at
the National
Insurance
Institute
2014
THE NATIONAL INSURANCE INSTITUTE
THE NATIONAL
INSURANCE
INSTITUTE –
AT YOUR SERVICE
Dear Citizens,
The National Insurance Institute (NII) accompanies all Israeli citizens from birth until old age and serves as a social safety
net for them. Beyond the services provided to every citizen, the NII serves as the long arm of the government by granting
rights to those faced with economic hardships, disability, unemployment and other difficulties.
The National Insurance Institute is actually the largest organization in Israel, which demands of me, and of the NII’s
management, a continuous and creative process of improving and simplifying its operations, for the benefit of the citizens.
Transparency, accessibility and removing bureaucratic obstacles are our guidelines, all with the objective of providing
citizens with quality, available and appropriate responses, as simply as possible.
Among other steps, we are improving the dialogue with target populations, particularly with the disabled population, and
are acting to move the Appeals Committees out of the National Insurance Institute and into independent organizations.
Such steps aim to improve the operation of Israel’s most important institute and to transform the service it provides to
Israeli citizens to the quality and reliable service they deserve.
Sincerely,
MK Meir Cohen
Minister of Welfare and Social Services
Dear Citizens,
The National Insurance Institute (NII) is the leading and most professional social security organization in Israel, and its main
function is facilitating benefits to those eligible for them under law. The NII provides an economic and social safety net for
large segments of the population, such as families with children, the elderly, widows and orphans, and those facing personal
crises, such as losing a job, becoming disabled, or being injured at work. Overall, NIS 70 billion in benefits are paid out to
the public annually. In addition, the National Insurance Institute operates, through its Rehabilitation Department and its
five Funds for service development, vocational rehabilitation programs and social services to special-needs populations.
We are making significant efforts to promote social legislation to care for the welfare of all citizens and for a dignified life
of the weaker classes, while maintaining a continual dialogue with the public, and trying to uphold the value of mutual
responsibility, in the spirit of the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “Every one shall help his neighbor and shall say to his brother:
Be of good courage” (Isaiah 41:6).
Our main objectives are to help citizens reach full take-up of rights at the National Insurance Institute and to provide
quality services, with sensitivity to all those who need them. We are tirelessly working to improve the service provided at
the various local branches, and are opening new service centers in the periphery. At the same time, in an effort to bring
services closer to the public, we are developing tools which will reduce the need to personally visit the local branches.
We have established a national call center, and operate computerized self-service stations. We have also expanded the
services offered on the NII website, such as the possibility of paying insurance contributions online.
In this booklet you will find general explanations regarding the conditions of entitlement to benefits from the National
Insurance Institute, the obligation to pay national and health insurance contributions, and information on services provided
at the local branches and through other service channels. I hope that this information assists you in taking up your rights
at the National Insurance Institute, and in receiving speedy and efficient service.
Sincerely,
Prof’ Shlomo Mor-Yosef
Director General
Your rights at the National Insurance Institute 1
Table of contents
• Maternity insurance.................................................................................................. 4
• Children insurance ................................................................................................... 6
• Reserve Duty benefit ................................................................................................ 7
• Grant to discharged soldiers performing vital work ................................................... 8
• Unemployment insurance ........................................................................................ 9
• Employees ׳rights following bankruptcy and corporate dissolution .......................... 10
• Volunteers ׳rights ..................................................................................................... 10
• Benefits for victims of hostilities ............................................................................... 11
• Work injury insurance ............................................................................................... 12
• Disability insurance .................................................................................................. 14
• Mobility allowance .................................................................................................... 16
• Accident injury insurance ......................................................................................... 18
• Vocational rehabilitation ........................................................................................... 19
• Income support benefit ............................................................................................. 20
• Maintenance payments ............................................................................................ 22
• Benefits for a child orphaned by domestic violence .................................................. 22
• Benefits for Prisoners of Zion and families of Martyrs .............................................. 23
• Benefits for Righteous Gentiles ................................................................................ 23
• Survivors ׳insurance ................................................................................................. 24
• Old age insurance .................................................................................................... 26
• Long-term care insurance ........................................................................................ 28
• Counseling Service for the Elderly ........................................................................... 29
• Appealing a decision of the National Insurance Institute .......................................... 30
• The National Insurance Institute Funds .................................................................... 31
• Payment of national and health insurance contributions .......................................... 32
• International social security conventions .................................................................. 36
• National Insurance Institute service channels .......................................................... 37
• National Insurance Institute local branches.............................................................. 40
This booklet provides general information only and should not
be deemed to be the full or authorized text of the law.
Everything stated in the male gender refers to women as well.
2
THE NATIONAL
INSURANCE INSTITUTE
The National Insurance Institute of Israel (NII) is a governmental social security institution that operates
under law. Its main function is to ensure a means of subsistence for the residents of Israel who are unable
to support themselves.
The National Insurance Institute collects insurance contributions from all residents, in accordance with their
income and status, and pays benefits to those entitled by law to receive them. The NII is also responsible for
collecting health insurance contributions under the State Health Insurance Law and transfers the collected
health insurance contributions to the health funds.
The NII pays benefits to the unemployed, to women on maternity leave, to the disabled, to people with
limited mobility and those who have sustained work injuries, to accident victims, to people serving in military
reserve duty, to families with children, to the elderly, to widows and orphans, to those with low incomes,
to employees of bankrupt companies, to volunteers, etc. The benefits are intended to provide economic
protection to each resident and family in times of temporary or persistent loss of income.
By collecting the insurance contributions on the one hand and paying the benefits on the other, income is
transferred from economically established groups to weaker or more vulnerable groups. In this manner,
the National Insurance Institute contributes to a more equitable distribution of national revenues and to
decreasing poverty in Israel.
In addition to monetary benefits, the NII provides rehabilitation and vocational training services to the
disabled and to widows, and long-term care and advisory services to the elderly.
By means of the five Funds that it operates, the National Insurance Institute helps finance projects developing
community and institutional services for people with special needs. These funds are utilized to facilitate
projects to benefit the disabled, the elderly who require long-term care, disenfranchised youths, children
at risk and others. The projects help to integrate these people into the job market and the community.
In order to improve its services, the National Insurance Institute has developed computerized information
systems that provide access to up-to-date information, such as an Internet website through which extensive
up-to-date information can be obtained, including personal information, self-service terminals, automated
voice response and passwords for personal identification. These developments enable receiving service
and making payments independently, eliminating need to go personally to the local branch.
Deer Citizen, This booklet contains general information on the benefits and services provided by the
National Insurance Institute pertaining to each one of us at any given point in life. We hope that this important
information will help you to exercise your National Insurance rights.
Changes are made from time to time in the laws under which the National Insurance Institute
pays benefits. Therefore, when enquiring about exercising your rights, please clarify these
rights by calling the call center at *6050 or visit the National Insurance Institute website at
www.btl.gov.il, which contains extensive and up-to-date information. You can also obtain
information at the local NII branch closest to your place of residence.
Your rights at the National Insurance Institute 3
The main purpose of Maternity insurance
Maternity is to insure the basic conditions for the
welfare of both mother and newborn
insurance child, and to compensate working
mothers for the loss of income due to
pregnancy and birth.
Hospitalization grant A birthing mother who gives birth to more than
Insurance Institute, or a work injury allowance
A payment made by the National Insurance or unemployment benefit or accident benefit
two children in the same birth is also eligible for
Institute to hospitals for hospitalization expenses or pregnancy bed rest benefit or benefit for a
a childbirth allowance (details below).
of women giving birth. 100% work disability.
• Months for which the woman received sick pay
Birth grant Maternity allowance or pay in lieu of annual leave from a provident
Paid to the mother for participation in initial post- Paid to a working woman on maternity leave, in fund.
birth expenses. The birth grant is paid within a a lump-sum payment to her bank account. The • The first two months of unpaid leave (for which
month of the birth into the mother׳s bank account maternity allowance is designed to compensate her employer is required to make insurance
to which the child allowance is paid or, for a first the mother for the loss of her salary or income contributions).
birth, into the bank account listed at the hospital. during the time that she is not working due to the • Months during which the woman was undergoing
pregnancy and birth. vocational training, provided that she worked
Who is entitled to a hospitalization grant and for at least 30 consecutive days immediately
a birth grant? Who is entitled to a maternity allowance? before the ״determining date״.
A mother who gave birth in a hospital or was • A salaried employee or a self-employed woman • Months of service in the IDF − A soldier who
hospitalized immediately after the birth (the birth of who is employed in Israel (even if she is not an terminated her military service and started
a live infant or a birth after 26 weeks of pregnancy), Israeli resident); working − under certain conditions.
and who is one of the following: • A salaried employee who is employed outside
• An Israeli resident or the wife of an Israeli resident of Israel − under certain conditions;
Work during part of a month is considered a
(even if the birth took place outside of Israel); • A woman at least 18 years of age who is
full working month
• A salaried employee or a self-employed woman undergoing vocational training or vocational
who is working in Israel (even if she is not an rehabilitation − under certain conditions.
Rates of the maternity allowance
Israeli resident, provided that the birth took
Conditions of entitlement to a maternity allowance 100% of taxable income after deducting income
place in Israel);
• If insurance contributions were paid for the tax, nationa and health insurance contributions, up
• A mother whose spouse has been a salaried
mother for 10 of the 14 months, or 15 of the to the maximum maternity allowance (in January
employee or self-employed in Israel for at least
22 months preceding the ״determining date״ 2014 – NIS 1,459.50 per day for women employed
6 consecutive months preceding the birth (even
(the date on which she stopped working during or self-employed).
if the mother and her spouse are not Israeli
residents, provided that the birth took place in the pregnancy that ended in the birth) − she is
entitled to a maternity allowance for 14 weeks. Extending the maternity leave
Israel). A birthing mother is eligible to extend or split a
• If insurance contributions were paid for her for
6 of the 14 months preceding the ״determining maternity leave following a multi-fetal birth (more
The claim for a hospitalization grant and birth
date( ״the date on which she stopped working than one child), or following her or her infant’s
grant (as well as for child allowance)
during the pregnancy that ended in the birth) − she hospitalization for a period of at least 15 days.
Is sent to the National Insurance Institute via the
is entitled to maternity allowance for 7 weeks. The birthing mother must notify the National
hospital where the birth occurred. For this reason
Insurance Institute of the extension or split as soon
the birthing mother must bring her and her partner’s
The following months are considered months as possible. Additional information is available on
ID cards to the hospital, and provide the hospital
in which insurance contributions were made, the NII website.
with her bank account information (or that of her
joint bank account with her partner). provided that they preceded the ״determining
How do you obtain a maternity allowance?
date״:
Fill in the claim form for maternity allowance NI/355
Birth grant amounts as of January 2014: • Months in which the woman worked and received
and deliver it to your local NII branch. Claim forms can
For the first child in a family: NIS 1,751 a salary from her employer (including sick pay
be obtained at any local NII branch or downloaded
For the second child in a family: NIS 788 and vacation pay), or months in which she had
from the National Insurance Institute website and
For the third and for every additional child in a income from self-employment and she paid
then mailed or faxed. Salaried employees can
family: NIS 525 insurance contributions from that income.
obtain the form from their employer.
For twins: NIS 8,757 • Months for which the woman received a maternity
For triplets: NIS 13,136 allowance (for a previous birth) from the National
4
Childbirth allowances are paid for the period Benefit rates
Self-employed women or salaried employees
between the 1st of the month following the birth A woman’s average income in the three months
whose employer has arranged with the National
and 20 months following this date. For every one prior to the Pregnancy bed rest , but no more than
Insurance Institute to have maternity allowance be
of these months allowances are paid according NIS 291.90 per day, as of January 2014.
automatically paid – do not need to file the claim.
to the number of children alive on the 1st of that Condition of entitlement to the benefit
A birthing mother who has received unemployment month, with the amount of the benefits gradually • The expectant mother must be a resident of
benefits a month prior to giving birth, and birthing decreasing throughout the eligibility period. Details Israel, a salaried employee or self-employed for
mothers who received risk pregnancy benefit on the allowance amounts can be found at the whom insurance contributions have been paid
during pregnancy a week prior to giving birth – will National Insurance Institute website. for at least 6 of the 14 months that preceded
receive the maternity allowance automatically the ״determining date( ״the date on which she
and do not need to file the claim. The allowance is paid automatically to the bank stopped working due to pregnancy bed rest).
account receiving the child allowance, and there
The form can be delivered to the National Insurance is no need to file a claim. For months that are considered months in
Institute once work is halted, but no earlier than which insurance contributions were paid – see
9 weeks prior to the estimated delivery date (if you Payments for a child whose mother has “maternity allowance”
are delivering this form prior to giving birth, ask passed away • The expectant mother was confined to pregnancy
your physician to confirm the estimated delivery If a birthing mother passed away during childbirth bed rest as authorized by an obstetrician-
date on the form). or within one year following the date of birth, a gynecologist, for at least 30 consecutive days.
special benefit will be paid for the child, provided If she required an additional period of bed rest,
The last date on which the claim can be filed is the birthing mother was eligible for a birth grant at least 14 consecutive days in each additional
12 months from the date of the birthing mother’s and/or a childbirth allowance and/or a maternity period.
eligibility for a maternity allowance. allowance. • A specialist doctor on behalf of the National
Insurance Institute has approved her claim for
A birthing mother who works during her maternity Two types of payments are made for a child whose pregnancy bed rest benefit.
leave may lose her eligibility for maternity allowance. mother has passed away: • She is not receiving payment for the period of
pregnancy bed rest from any other source.
Special allowance
Paternity allowance Paid to a partner or legal guardian for every child Filing a claim for pregnancy bed rest benefit
A father is permitted to replace his partner for some born in the same birth and present in Israel. The Must be filed at the local NII branch, on form for
of the maternity leave 6 weeks after birth, and for allowance is paid for 24 months, and if survivors Enforced Bed-rest NI/330. Claim forms can be
at least 21 consecutive days, on the condition pension or dependents pension are paid for the obtained at any NII local branch and on the NII
that both he and his partner have accrued an child – for 12 months. The amount of the allowance website. Medical certification to be filled out by an
insurance period that makes them eligible for a for one child as of January 2014 – NIS 2,727 a obstetrician-gynecologist is attached to the form.
maternity allowance. month.
The last date for submitting the claim form,
Claim form NI/360 can be downloaded from the Special benefit accompanied by the medical certificate, is 12
National Insurance Institute website. Paid to the birthing mother’s partner if he halted months from the date of the beginning of the
his employment as a result of her passing away mother׳s entitlement to a maternity allowance.
A birthing mother who, for medical reasons, is for the purposes of caring for the child. The benefit
unable to care for her an infant can be replaced by (relative to the amount of the spouse׳s salary) is
paid for a maximum of 12 weeks from the end of Payment of differentials on the
her partner at any time during the maternity leave,
provided he too meets the conditions for eligibility. the seven days of mourning, and only if the rate maternity allowance, pregnancy bed
per day exceeds the rate of the special benefit. rest benefit and adoption benefit
A biological father who is a single parent may The special benefit is not paid during the time that Employed women who have received a maternity
claim paternity allowance under certain conditions. the special allowance is paid. allowance, pregnancy bed rest benefit or an
adoption allowance may be eligible to receive
Vacation pay for adopting parents A claim for special allowance and special benefit the differences between the benefits she has
Are paid to employees or self-employed persons File form NI/380 at a NII local branch. The form received, if within 11 months of the date of eligibility
who have adopted a child younger than 10 years can be downloaded from the National Insurance for a maternity allowance, adoption allowance or
old and who have halted their employment for Institute website. pregnancy bed rest benefit she has received an
the adoption, if their insurance period makes additional payment from her employer, such as
them eligible for a maternity allowance. Additional Participation in the costs of transporting convalescence pay, a clothing benefit or a bonus
details and claims form NI/356 can be found at the a birthing mother in an ambulance which exceeds one quarter of her regular monthly
National Insurance Institute website. The National Insurance Institute participates in salary, or if she has received salary differences for
the cost of transporting a birthing mother in a a period prior to the maternity leave. A father who
Vacation pay for a foster family Magen David Adom ambulance to the hospital. takes paternity leave is also entitled to payment
Are paid to employed or self-employed persons Details can be found at the National Insurance of the differentials on the benefit.
who have begun caring for a foster child younger Institute website.
than 10 years old for a period of over 6 months and To check eligibility for the differentials, the mother
who have halted their employment for the purpose Pregnancy bed rest benefit must submit a claim for payment of differentials to
of caring for the child, if their insurance period Paid to an employed woman who was forced to halt the Maternity Department at the local NII branch
makes them eligible for a maternity allowance. her work during the pregnancy because of health closest to her place of residence, along with a
Additional details and claims form NI/356 can be risks to her or the fetus as a result of the pregnancy; salary slip showing the additional payment that
found at the National Insurance Institute website. or in case in which the work environment puts the was made. The claim must be submitted within
woman or the fetus at risk, and her employer was 12 months from the first date of entitlement to a
Childbirth allowance unable to find her a different position. The benefit maternity allowance.
A childbirth allowance is a payment to a mother is designed to compensate the woman for the loss
who gives birth to three or more infants in one birth, of her salary during the period of the bed rest.
and at least three of the infants survive for 30 days
after the birth. The mother is entitled to a childbirth
allowance if she is entitled to a hospitalization
grant and a birth grant.
Your rights at the National Insurance Institute 5
Children The National Insurance Institute pays a child
allowance to every Israeli resident for every
insurance
one of his children until they reach the age
of 18.
Child allowance Claim for a child allowance Late submission of claim
The monthly child allowance is paid on the 20th of Upon the first birth, the claim will be filed through If you have not filed the claim for child allowance
each month, into the bank account of the mother the hospital the child was born in. For that purpose, on time, the National Insurance Institute may
or into the joint bank account of the mother and the mother must bring both her own ID card and approve your claim for a year retroactive to the
her spouse. The allowance is paid according to her spouse׳s ID card to the hospital, along with day the claim was filed on. If the child was born
the number of children in the family. the number of her bank account. In all subsequent after July 1, 2003, and was not registered in the
births, the information is automatically delivered Population Registry within 30 days of the date of
Who is entitled to a child allowance? from the hospital. In births occurring outside a the birth, the allowance will be paid retroactively
• An insured Israeli resident (and a person living hospital or in cases of a returning resident with for up to 3 months only.
in Israel under special conditions) who has one children, a claim must be filed for a child allowance.
or more children; Study grant
• A child who immigrated to Israel without his If the Insured or allowance recipient has outstanding Paid by the National Insurance Institute once a
parents; payments to the National Insurance Institute, the year in August, for the types of families listed below
• A person who is caring for a child that is not his National Insurance Institute is permitted to deduct who receive a child allowance.
own child, provided that he was appointed as the amount owed from the allowance until the
debt is paid in full. The grant is paid for every child aged 6-14.
legal guardian or as the recipient of the allowance.
Eligible for the study grant are: families in which a
Conditions of entitlement to the child allowance Child allowance amounts as of January 2014 parent is divorced, a widow/er or single, receives
The allowance is paid for children under the age (NIS): an income support benefit separately from his/her
of 18, who are present in Israel. For a child staying • For children born up to May 31, 2003: spouse and, in certain conditions, a parent who
overseas the allowance will be paid for the first Child’s place Amount of is living apart from his/her spouse, an aguna (a
3 months of the overseas stay. After 3 months in family allowance (NIS) married woman whose husband׳s whereabouts
the allowance is paid in the following cases: one First 140 are unknown) and a woman living in a shelter for
of the parents was sent overseas by an Israeli battered women.
Second 140
employer or is on sabbatical or working for an
Third 172 Also eligible for the study grant are families with 4
Israeli employer overseas, the family is staying
Fourth 336 or more children, provided that one of the parents
overseas as a result of medical treatment that
receives one of the following benefits from the
cannot be received in Israel given to one of the Fifth and thereafter 354
National Insurance Institute in the month of July
family members.
• For children born on June 1st, 2003 and or August of every school year: income support
onwards, a NIS 140 benefit per child is paid. benefit, alimony, general disability pension, old age
A person who is caring for a child that is not his
or survivors pension. Also eligible to receive the
own child receives the allowance, provided that he • Beneficiaries of income support benefit, study grant are orphaned or abandoned children who
was appointed as guardian or as the recipient of alimony, child support, old-age pension with are receiving an income support benefit, children
the allowance, and provided that he has supported income supplement, survivors pension with orphaned of both parents, new immigrants who
the child for at least the last 12 months. income supplement immigrated without their parents as well as new
For the third and fourth child, an additional immigrants who came to the country over a year
The period of entitlement NIS 98 for every child is paid. ago but less than two years ago, and their partner
If a child is born in, or immigrates to, Israel before did not immigrate and is not staying in the country.
the 15th of the month, the allowance is paid for To find out the amount of child allowance you
that month and thereafter. If a child is born in, or may use the calculator on the National Insurance Amount of the grant as of August 2013:
immigrates to, Israel on the 16th of the month or Institute website. For a child 6-11 years of age (grades 1-5): NIS 1,528.
later, the allowance is paid as of the first of the For a child 11-14 years of age (grades 6-8): NIS 849.
following month. Entitlement to the allowance
More information on the grant and claims form
concludes at the end of the month in which the
NI/5015 can be found on the National Insurance
child reaches the age of 18.
Institute website.
6
Reserve Duty
The National Insurance
Institute pays reserve
duty benefit to any
benefits person called for
reserve duty by the
National Service Law,
as well as those called
for training by the
Anyone called up for reserve duty under the Defense
Service Law or anyone called up for training under
• Self-employed workers, students, the un-
employed and anyone who is not working
Work Service in time of
the Emergency Labor Service Law is entitled to should claim the benefit from the National Emergency Law.
the reserve duty benefit. Insurance Institute.
• Persons receiving unemployment benefits
To obtain this benefit, IDF certification of the days who served in active reservist duty during the
of service must be submitted on form number 3010. period they were receiving unemployment benefits
receive their compensation automatically and
Reserve duty benefit do not need to file a claim.
• For a salaried employee and a self-employed
worker − A benefit at the rate of income (subject Filing an online personal claim on the
to insurance contributions) in the three months website
preceding the month of commencement of Reservists on active duty who are registered with
reserve duty, with the addition of the cost-of- the National Insurance Institute as self-employed,
living allowance, divided by 90. In special cases, not working, students and yeshiva students may
reservists are entitled to benefit calculation file for reserve duty benefit via the self-service
according to other salary months. The benefit website as well. The service is provided using
may not be less than the minimum and not a code and password, which can be requested
exceed the maximum (see below). through the website or at a local NII branch.
• Maximum benefit for a salaried employee Call center for reservist-duty related
and a self-employed worker: as of January matters: 02-6463010
2014 – NIS 1,441.33 per day, NIS 43,240 per The National Insurance Institute operates an
month. automatic call center for reservists filing their
claims personally, and for employers paying out
• Minimum benefit for a salaried employee and the compensation for their reservist employees.
a self-employed worker: as of January 2014 − The call center provides general information on
NIS 196.02 per day, NIS 5,881 per month. rights and obligations, forms for filing claims, a
simulator for calculating compensation, and more.
Claim for reserve duty benefit
A claim for a reserve duty benefit should be submitted
at the end of the service, at one of the local NII
branches convenient to the claimant, along with
IDF certification − form no. 3010. The claim form
can be downloaded from the National Insurance
Institute website and sent in by mail or fax.
• Salaried employees who earn a monthly
wage, as well as salaried employees who
do not receive a monthly wage, who worked
during the three months that proceeded the
reserve duty service at least 75 days, for one
employer or in one place of employment, must
claim the benefit from their employers.
Your rights at the National Insurance Institute 7
Grants to discharged
Grant to discharged soldiers who
perform work that
soldiers performing vital work is vital to the State
economy
Grant for “vital work” and grant for ״priority Who is entitled to the grant?
work״ The grant is paid to those who meet the following
Under the National Insurance Law a one-time grant conditions:
is paid to soldiers discharged from compulsory • A person who worked for at least 6 full months (not
military service, or for those completing National necessarily consecutive) within the 24 months
Service of 24 months, who have worked at a job from the date of discharge from compulsory
defined by law as a job in demand: at industrial service. The job must be full time, as customary at
factories and workshops, at construction sites, that work place.in accordance with the common
at gas stations, at hotels, at agricultural sites practices of the field in which they are employed.
and packaging houses, as well as in caring and In the agricultural field it is possible to work at
assisting disabled people – except for office jobs least 4 full months, and receive a partial grant.
in these fields. • Start of the work − within 12 months from
the date of discharge (or during the second
Discharged soldiers, members of kibbutzim or year, if the discharged soldier was entitled
cooperative moshavim who worked in vital jobs, to an unemployment benefit on the date of
in or outside a kibbutz or cooperative moshav, commencement work).
are also entitled to the grant.
Benefit rates
The full grant amount as of December 2013 –
NIS 9,550.
The partial agricultural grant amount – NIS 6,367.
For those who received an unemployment benefit
during the 11 months that preceded the start of the
vital work, the unemployment benefit that was
received is deducted from the amount of the
grant that is due.
In certain cases, a soldier is entitled to a partial grant.
Submitting the claim for the grant
The claim for the grant must be filed with the National
Insurance Institute after at least 6 full months of
employment, and no later than 42 months from the
date of discharge from compulsory military service.
Certification of the place of work, the type of work
and the period worked must be attached, noting
the number of workdays in each month.
The claim form NI/1521 can be downloaded from
the National Insurance Institute website and sent
in by mail or fax.
8
Unemployment insurance is
Unemployment designed to provide those who are
out of work not by choice with a
replacement for their salaries, for
Insurance a limited period of time, to enable
them to seek suitable employment.
Unemployment benefits and able to work in your profession or in any benefit to which he would have been entitled had
Who is insured for unemployment benefits? other suitable work, and the Employment Service he been unemployed and not taking the course.
An Israeli resident or temporary resident, aged Bureau has not offered you work, as stated.
18 to 67 who worked as a salaried employee or a Despite the aforementioned:
* information on the qualifying period prior to April 1st, 2013
soldier discharged from compulsory army service 1. A person undergoing vocational training who
can be found at the National Insurance Institute website.
in the first year after being discharged. is younger than 35 years old and has less
Unemployment benefit rates than 12 years of education will be entitled to
Unemployment benefits are paid to an unemployed The daily unemployment benefit is calculated as unemployment benefits during his studies,
person age 45 or older, or age 35 or older who a percentage of one’s average daily wage in the including for periods longer than the maximum
has at least 3 dependents* for a maximum of 175 6 months prior to the 1st of the month in which the unemployment days they are eligible for, but no
days; to an unemployed person age 35 or older, unemployment period commenced. more than 138 days.
or under age 35 who has 3 dependents − for a 2. Two types of training have been set for which full
maximum of 138 days; to an unemployed person The daily sum of unemployment benefits for the unemployment benefits will be paid. Information
from age 28 to age 35, who does not have 3 first five months may not exceed the average on this training can be found on the National
dependents − for a maximum of 100 days; to an daily salary in the economy (as of January 2014 – Insurance Institute website.
unemployed person from age 25 to age 28, who NIS 363.56 a day), and from the sixth month may
does not have 3 dependents − for a maximum not exceed 2/3 of the average daily salary in the A person who voluntarily terminates his
of 67 days; to an unemployed person under the economy (as of January 2014 – NIS 242.37 a day). employment, without justification, will begin to
age of 25 who does not have 3 dependents − for receive the unemployment benefit only 90 days
a maximum of 50 days; to a discharged soldier or Unemployment benefits for discharged soldiers may after quitting the job.
a young woman who completed National Service not be lower than the amount mandated by law for
− for a maximum of 70 days. soldiers – NIS 103.80 a day as of January 2014. A person to who refuses a suitable job offer
will begin to receive unemployment benefits only
*A partner who does not work and a child under 18 years old
For the first 5 days of unemployment in each 4 90 days after the date of the refusal, and 30 days
consecutive months, no unemployment benefit will be deducted from the maximal number of
Conditions of entitlement to unemployment days due to him each time that he refuses to
is paid.
benefits accept a job.
1. Age – least 20 years old and not yet 67, and in
certain conditions also those aged 18-20. Unemployment benefits and grants for the
unemployed who are referred to a low-paying job Filing a claim for unemployment benefits
2. Completion of a “qualifying period" (insurance
An unemployed person who the Employment To receive unemployment benefits for the first time
period) for those unemployed since April
Service has referred to a job with lower wages than you must file a claim with your local NII branch.
1st, 2013*)
the unemployment benefits they are entitled to will Claim form NI/1500 can be downloaded from the
• 12 months for which insurance contributions
be eligible for a grant amounting to the difference National Insurance Institute website and then
were paid, out of the 18 months that preceded
between the unemployment benefits they would mailed or faxed.
the start of the unemployment.
• Discharged soldiers and those who completed have received and half the wages at the low wage
job, provided they have worked at this job for at Repeat claim for unemployment benefits
24 months of National Service need to accrue can be filed only 12 months after the commencement
a qualification period any unemployed person, least 25 days at 50% position at least. The grant
is paid for no more than 100 working days. of the previous eligibility period. Unemployed
as detailed above. However, in totaling persons who have not yet turned 40 and are
the number of qualifying months, up to 6 filing more than one claim for unemployment
Unemployment benefits for participants in
months of compulsory military service or within 4 years will receive benefits for all their
vocational training
National Service are taken into account. unemployment claims for a maximum period of
A person eligible for unemployment benefits who the
If they were referred to vocational training by 180% of the maximum number days (as detailed
Employment Service has referred to a vocational
the Employment Service, they are exempt at the beginning of the chapter).
training course and has begun their studies will
from accruing a qualifying period in the first
still eligible to receive unemployment benefits
year after the discharge or volunteering. Total unemployment benefit amounts during the
for the days needed to complete the maximum
3. You are unemployed −You are registered with additional period may not exceed 85% of the
unemployment period they are entitled to. The
the Employment Service Bureau, are prepared maximum unemployment benefit amount.
unemployment benefit is 70% of the unemployment
Your rights at the National Insurance Institute 9A salaried employee
Employees ׳Rights whose employer has
filed for bankruptcy
Following Bankruptcy and or an employee of a
company that was
Corporate Dissolution dissolved is entitled to
payment of the salary
Those entitled to the benefit The Benefits and severance pay owed
• An employee whose employer has filed for
bankruptcy or an employee whose employer is
For the worker
Any wages and severance pay owed to the employee
by the employer.
subject to a dissolution order (if the employer by the employer on the date on which employment
is a corporation); was halted, up to the maximum amount designated
• The employee׳s survivors who are entitled to by the National Insurance Law.
severance pay under Section 5 of the Severance
Pay Law; Anyone whose employer has been issued a For a member of a cooperative
• A provident fund, if the employer is in debt to the dissolution or bankruptcy injunction before Anyone who was a member of a cooperative
provident fund in which the worker is insured. July 31st, 2009, the maximum amount to be paid moshav or kibbutz for at least 7 years – up to the
is NIS 86,480 (as of January 2014); anyone whose maximum defined by law (as of January 2014 –
Those not entitled to the benefit employer was issued the injunction on August 1st, NIS 69,184). Claims forms for the various benefits
• A self-employed worker or controlling shareholder 2009 or later, the maximum amount to be paid is can be downloaded from the National Insurance
in a company who holds the majority of the NIS 112,424 (as of January 2014). Institute website and then sent via mail or fax.
company׳s shares, who did not have an employer-
employee relationship with the company. For survivors
• Controlling shareholders in a close corporation Any wages they are entitled to according to section
and foreign workers and workers from the 7 of the Wages Protection Law, and any severance
Territories who are staying in Israel illegally. pay they are entitled to according to section 5 of the
Severance Pay Law, up to the maximum defined
Conditions of entitlement in the National Insurance Law.
• The court has issued a declaration of bankruptcy
order or an order to dissolve a company, to dissolve For provident funds
a partnership, or to dissolve a cooperative. Payments not transferred, from the employee’s
• The details of the employee׳s claim have been or employer’s funds, or both, up to the maximum
approved by the trustee of the bankrupt entity defined in the National Insurance Law (as of
or the company׳s liquidator. January 2014 – NIS 17,296).
A volunteer who was
injured during and as
Volunteers ׳Rights
a result of volunteering
activities, including
injury on the way to
or from the place of
volunteering, as well
A ״volunteer ״Is a person who volunteers for the Amount of the payment
benefit of others without pay, who was referred by Total compensation for a volunteer is equal to the as the dependents of a
a qualified public institution, whose activities are amounts paid for work injured. However, a volunteer volunteer who passed
performed for national or public benefit; a person who had not worked prior to volunteering, or whose
who performs security obligations as mandated income was low receives compensation totaling away as a result of
by law, without pay and outside the framework of NIS 109.47 a day. an injury under these
IDF service; a person who provides assistance to
others as obligated by law or performs an act to How to submit the claim circumstances, may
save the lives or property of others; a person who Claims must be filed at the local NII branch within receive benefits as
performs community work or service under the 12 months of the date of injury.
Penal Law; a volunteer at Magen David Adom, or described in the “Work
a first aid organization, or an organization for the Claims forms can be obtained at any National Injury Insurance”
prevention of bodily injury or property damage, or Insurance Institute branch or downloaded from
an organization for the care of the sick or people the National Insurance Institute website and then chapter and according
who cannot care for themselves, or a burial sent by mail or fax. to the conditions of
organization, provided that the organization is
approved by the Minister of Welfare ; volunteer entitlement described
fire fighters; a person performing civil service as there.
defined in the law that defers military service for
yeshiva students.
10The Benefits for Victims
Benefits for Victims of Hostilities Law of 1970
provides victims of hostilities
of Hostilities
and their families with rights
to benefits, rehabilitation and
grants.
Who is entitled to benefits for victims of Monthly disability benefit Pensions for families of fatalities
hostilities? Paid to a person disabled by a hostile action injury,
A resident of Israel who was injured during hostilities for whom a disability of 20% or more has been Monthly dependents ׳pensions
in Israel or abroad; an Israeli citizen or a person established. The rate of the benefit is determined Paid to widows, bereaved parents and orphans of
who entered Israel legally and was injured by an by the degree of disability. A person with a 100% a person who died as a result of hostile action. The
act of hostility in Israel; a foreign resident who was disability receives a benefit at the rate of 118% of benefit is equivalent to the benefit paid under the
injured by an act of hostility abroad during and the salary of a grade 17 civil servant, according Families of Soldiers Killed in Action Law.
as a result of his/her employment by an Israeli to the administrative ranking. The benefit for a
employer (approved for this matter). person disabled by a hostile action is equal to the Claim for benefit for families of deceased victims
benefit paid to a disabled IDF veteran under the File form NI/582 at the deceased’s local NII branch
״Hostile action injury – ״an injury due to an Disabled Persons (Benefits and Rehabilitation) within 12 months of the date of passing.
act of hostility by enemy forces, or an accidental Law. A person for whom a permanent 10%-19%
injury by a person due to hostile action by enemy degree of disability was established is paid a The claims form can be downloaded from the
forces or under circumstances in which there was lump-sum grant. National Insurance Institute website and then
reasonable fear of hostile action, an injury caused
sent in by mail or fax.
by a weapon that was intended for hostile action Claiming for determining the degree of disability
or against it, and an injury caused by an act of and for payment of a monthly disability benefit
Non-cash benefits and special benefits
violence whose main objective was to injure people File with the National Insurance Institute on form
Treatment, hospitalization, recuperation, medical
because they belong to a national-ethnic group, NI/581, within 12 months of the date on which
equipment, vocational rehabilitation and special
provided that it stems from the Israeli-Arab conflict the victim received compensation for medical
benefits, such as loans and grants for housing,
and was committed by a terrorist organization – care. The claim form can be downloaded from
assistance in purchasing a vehicle and its monthly
all contingent upon confirmation by the authority the National Insurance Institute website and then
maintenance, payment for personal services, etc.
appointed by the Ministry of Defense that the injury sent in by mail or fax.
is a hostile action injury.
Vocational rehabilitation and special benefits are
Special benefits provided also to widows, orphans and bereaved
Benefits for Victims of Hostilities Increased benefits are paid to the “Needy Disabled” parents.
and “Income-less Disabled”.
Benefits during medical treatment For receiving benefits, contact the Rehabilitation
A disabled person who took early retirement from Department at your local NII branch.
A victim of a hostile action who is not capable of
work and is no longer fit to work, and is over 50
working due to medical treatment is eligible for
years old and whose disability level is 35% and
a special benefit during the period of medical Vocational rehabilitation
up, is eligible, under certain conditions, for a
treatment, if he/she does not receive salary or A victim of an hostility action for which at least a
special increment.
compensation for this period. 20% disability level has been determined, as well
as widows and orphans of fatalities of hostility
Filing a claim for the recognition of a hostile injury actions, may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation
and receiving medical treatment compensation from the National Insurance Institute.
must be filed on form NI/580 at the local NII branch
within 12 months of the date of injury. The claim form For additional information see the “Vocational
can be downloaded from the National Insurance Rehabilitation” chapter.
Institute website and then mailed or faxed.
Your rights at the National Insurance Institute 11Work Injury insurance is
Work Injury designed to compensate
the insured for loss of
Insurance
income due to a work
injury, and to help him
to get back into the job
market with the help of
vocational rehabilitation.
Who is insured? or afflicted with an occupation disease and as a
A salaried employee; a self-employed worker; a person result cannot perform their job or any other suitable
undergoing vocational rehabilitation or vocational job and was not working at the time, and requires
training; a person being examined according to the medical treatment. Low-income recipients of a work disability benefit
Apprenticeship Law or the Employment Service receive an income supplement as well.
Law (only during the examination); a working No injury allowance is paid for the day of the injury;
prisoner; a foreign resident employed in Israel by however, the salary for that day is paid by the Claiming work disability pension
an Israeli employer; a resident of Israel abroad, employer. No injury allowance is paid for the two Must be filed as soon as possible on form NI/200,
under certain conditions; and a person whose salary days after the day of the injury, unless the injured with the local NII branch. The claims form can
is determined by law (Member of Knesset, etc.). person is unable to work for 12 or more days. be downloaded from the National Insurance
Institute website and sent in by mail or fax. Insured
An injury allowance for the first 12 days of entitlement persons who file a claim for work-related disability
Who is entitled to a work injury benefit? pensions will be summoned to a medical board.
is not paid to self-employed workers. Salaried
An insured who is injured at work (by a work injury The committee determines whether or not the
employees are paid the full injury allowance and
or an occupational disease), and dependents of disability is the result of a work injury as well as
employers, except for employers of household
an insured who died as a result of a work injury the degree of the disability.
cleaning workers, are required to reimburse the
(widow/er, orphans, parents and other family
National Insurance Institute for the first 12 days,
members under special circumstances). Work disability grant
Amount of the payment per day Those with a permanent work disability of at least
A work accident is an accident that occurs 9%, but lower than 20% receive a one-time grant
75% of wages (which is owed insurance contributions)
during and due to work, including an accident en derived by multiplying the monthly benefit by 43.
during the three months prior to the injury divided
route to and from work, and an accident in the If the claim is submitted more than 12 months
by 90, and up to the maximum daily allowance (as
circumstances specified in the law. late, a reduced grant is paid in proportion to the
of January 2014 – NIS 1,094.63).
lateness of the submission.
An occupational disease is a disease that an Claim for payment of injury allowance and
insured contracted due to his work, which appears notification of a work injury
Special pension
on the list of occupational diseases specified in Paid to anyone disabled who requires assistance
Must be filed within 12 months of the day of injury,
the law. in performing basic activities, and who have a
using form NI/211, with the local NII branch, along
permanent disability level of at least 75%; or anyone
with a first-aid document on the injury, which is
with a permanent disability level of 65-74%, with
A self-employed worker who owes insurance given at the health fund or hospital.
difficulties walking – for assisting with personal
contributions will be denied the right to a benefit,
care and covering special expenses resulting
or a reduced benefit will be paid to him (according The claim form can be downloaded from the
from the recognized disability.
to the amount of the debt and duration of the National Insurance Institute website and then
arrears). sent in by mail or fax.
To receive the pension, a claim must be filed with
the Rehabilitation Department on form NI/266,
Work Injury Benefits Work disability benefits which can be downloaded from the website and
then mailed or faxed. The process of claim approval
Medical treatment Work disability pension includes an examination of level of dependence,
Therapy, recuperation and medical rehabilitation Anyone with a temporary work disability level of at performed by a nurse at the claimant’s home, as
through the health funds. least 9% or with a permanent work disability level well as confirmation from an organizational doctor.
of at least 20% – receives pension according to
Injury allowance the medical disability level pro-rated to wages The amount of the special pension is determined
Payment for absence from work, for a period of earned over the three months prior to the injury (as according to the assistance required, according
up to 91 days from the day after the date of injury. of January 2014 the maximum monthly benefit is to 4 levels of assistance.
Injury allowances are paid to those injured at work NIS 32,839 for the employed and self-employed). The maximum total benefit as of January 2014 –
NIS 8,210.
12Special grant Benefits for family members of work Maintenance allowance for orphans
Paid to anyone with a disability degree of 75% and fatalities Are paid to children who spend the majority of their
up, as well as for anyone disabled with difficulties time in high-school or in vocational training, according
walking as a result of their recognized disability to the parent’s income test. The maintenance
and their disability level is between 65-74% – for Paid to the widow/er of a person who died due allowance as of January 2014 – NIS 788 a month.
one-time arrangements as a result of the disability: to a work injury
adapting the residence, purchases of aid devices, Bar Mitzvah grant
and purchase of a vehicle for aiding in mobility Dependents Pensions This grant is paid to a boy-orphan who reaches
difficulties. A pension equal to between 40-100% of the full the age of 13 and a girl-orphan who reaches the
benefits the insured was entitled to, had they age of 12.
To receive the grant a claim must be filed with the been disabled at a 100% level – according to the Grant amount as of January 2014 is NIS 5,838.
Rehabilitation Department on form NI/282, which number of children.
An income supplement is paid to low-income
can be downloaded from the website and then Death grant
mailed or faxed. recipients of a dependents ׳pension.
Deceased persons who were receiving a work-
Those entitled to a dependents pension are a
related disability pension who have reached
Income supplement widow who has a child or who has reached the
retirement age, or who had a disability level of
A person receiving a work disability benefit or a age of 40, or is unable to support herself, and a
50% and over, or deceased persons receiving
dependents ׳pension whose income is low and who widower who has a child or who has reached the
a dependent’s pension – his partner, and if they
meets the criteria of the means test, is entitled to age of 40 and is unable to support himself (whose
have no partner, his child (as defined by law), will
an income supplement. gross income is less than NIS 5,181 per month).
receive a one time grant.
Grant amount as of January 2014 – NIS 8,757.
The income supplement is paid as of the month in Claiming dependent's pension
which the claim is submitted, and as long as the Must be filed within 12 months of the date of passing,
Under certain conditions, the survivors of the
pension recipient is entitled to it (if the supplement on form NI/213. The form can be downloaded from
recipient of a work disability benefit receive a
is paid unlawfully, the National Insurance Institute the National Insurance Institute website and then
lump-sum grant totaling 60% of the deceased׳s
is entitled to deduct it from benefits that it pays mailed or faxed.
disability benefit multiplied by 36, instead of the
out). A separate claim must be submitted to the grant specified above.
Income Support Department. Dependents ׳grant
A lump-sum grant totaling 36 months of pension
Needy disabled payments. A person who is entitled to the grant is
Anyone who has been designated as temporarily not entitled to a pension.
disabled, and is unable to return to work at any
position and has no employment income may file Those entitled to the dependents’ grant are a widow
a claim to be recognized as “Needy Disabled”. under the age of 40 who does not have a child and
“Needy Disabled” receive benefits equal to 100% is able to support herself, and a widower under
for the period defined. the age of 40 who does not have a child and is
not able to support himself (whose gross income
is less than NIS 5,181 per month).
File the claim on form NI/279, which can be
download from the website and then mailed Marriage grant
or faxed. For widows or widowers who marry – a grant
equaling 36 monthly benefits is paid. The grant
Vocational rehabilitation for those is paid in two installments: one after the date of
injured at work the marriage, and the second two years from
Assistance in analysis, professional guidance and the date of marriage (eligibility for dependent's
acclimation at work, payment of a rehabilitation pension expires).
allowance during studies (paying the difference
between a work-related disability pension), as Vocational rehabilitation for a widow
well as covering studies-related expenses such or widower receiving a dependents
as transportation, tuition and learning devices. pension
Assistance with analysis and professional guidance,
Conditions of entitlement to vocational payment of studies-related expenses and payment
rehabilitation of maintenance allowance during studies – for
Vocational rehabilitation is provided to disabled anyone recognized as a widow/er of a person
people for whom a permanent disability of at least who has passed away as a result of a work injury,
10% has been established and who, due to the and they are not skilled in any profession or do
work injury, are not able to work at their jobs nor not provide for themselves by a profession or
at other suitable work, and they require − and are that require a career change as a result of being
suitable for − vocational rehabilitation. widowed, and meet the criteria for vocational
rehabilitation.
Claim for vocational rehabilitation
Must be filed on form NI/270 with the Rehabilitation Claims for vocational rehabilitation must be filed
Department at the local NII branch. The claim must on form NI/270 with the Rehabilitation Department
be filed within one year of the date on which the at the local NII branch. The claims form can be
permanently disabled designation was determined. downloaded from the National Insurance Institute
website and then mailed or faxed.
The claims form can be downloaded from the
National Insurance Institute website and then
mailed or faxed.
Your rights at the National Insurance Institute 13You can also read
