Unemployment Benefits

Dmei Avtala

דמי אבטלה

Losing a job is a fact of life in all countries. This guide provides an overview of the process to help you apply for unemployment benefits in Israel.

General Notes

• If you were let go from your job, you are eligible to claim unemployment benefits immediately.
• If you quit, you have to wait three months before registering for unemployment (unless your contract has a clause called Se’if 14).
• If you work more than one job and lose one, you may still be eligible, so it’s always worth applying.

Eligibility Requirements to receive unemployment payments

Eligibility Requirements

• You are a legal resident of Israel.
• You have worked at least 12 out of the last 18 months.
• You are between the ages of 20 and 67.
• You registered at the unemployment office.
• You were let go from your job OR 3 months have passed since you quit.

The above requirements are subject to change and revision. Check the links above for the most current information.

Here is how you apply

• Register online with the Lishkat HaTa’asuka (Hebrew) – לשכת התעסוקה – Unemployment Office. Click here for additional information in English.
• Apply online in English or in Hebrew to receive unemployment payments from Bituach Leumi.
• Check in with your former employer after a day or two after leaving your job to make sure they sent a Tofes 100 – טופס 100 – Summary form of your salary pay slips to Bituach Leumi.
• Wait to be notified by Bituach Leumi regarding your claim. If you don’t hear from them, usually via SMS, you can also go online to check your personal profile to see if they left a message there. If your request is denied, they should explain why it was denied and what is missing for it to be approved.

How long will you be entitled to unemployment?

The number of days of your eligibility to receive benfits is dependent on your age and family size (if relevant). Weekdays and Fridays are counted as “days”. Shabbat is not.

Payments

• The amount one receives is based on one’s age. Click here to view the relevant charts
• The amount you get per day is determined by your combined income from the past 6 months divided by 150. You can even run a simulation on this unemployment payment calculator.
• It is important to keep in mind that you will likely need to check in at the Lishkat HaTa’asuka on a weekly basis. This is also referred to as Lachtom BaLishka – לחתום בלשכה. Be advised that the unemployment office is also focused on trying to help you find a new job, and that is another reason why you have to check in weekly.

Important note

If you travel abroad during your period of unemployment, you need to report your trip to the Lishkat HaTa’asuka and your payments will be paused, and will continue upon your return.

This guide was created and translated by Shivat Zion based on an article in “Chasing the Fionist Dream”.