National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) — Welfare Services and Allowances for New Immigrants

Source: Israeli Government Guide for New Immigrants · 2026-05

89 The welfare services system in Israel is committed to citizens’ welfare and to the improvement of their quality of life. The welfare services in Israel are provided by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs through the social services departments (the welfare offices - Lishkot Revacha) and also by the National Insurance Institute. When in need, new immigrants can turn to these bodies and request assistance. In addition, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration assists new immigrants by identifying their needs and helping them realize the rights they are entitled to in the various service systems. Inquiries about options of assistance by the Ministry’s social workers should be addressed to the branch of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration near one’s residence. In addition, there are non-governmental associations and aid organizations that offer help and assistance in different areas. For detailed information go to the Guidestar website: www.guidestar.org.il Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs The social services departments (the welfare offices - Lishkot Revacha) operate in accordance with the Law of Assistive Services-1958 clause 2(a). They provide an answer for the needs of individuals, a family, and groups, including new immigrants who are in a difficult state for various reasons. The Social Services departments operate in all of the municipal authorities. In order to receive service and aid one should turn directly to the social services department where one lives. The National Insurance Institute
(Hamosad LeBituach Leumi) The National Insurance Institute - (NII) is the body responsible for the social security of the residents of Israel. The main object of the NII is to make sure that people who cannot support themselves, temporarily or permanently, have means of subsistence - mainly by providing allowances. Welfare Services

90 Some allowances require a qualification period (insurance seniority) (tkufat achshara - vetek bituchi) in order to receive them and it is not possible to receive them immediately when arriving on aliyah, such as assured income (havtachat hachnasa). Some allowances may be available for new immigrants from the moment they arrive such as chronic-care allowance and mobility allowance, all dependent on the conditions of eligibility. For further information contact the NII. The NII website: www.btl.gov.il Payment for monthly national insurance premiums and health-insurance premiums Israeli law mandates that every resident age 18 and above must be insured by the National Insurance Institute and pay monthly national insurance premiums and health-insurance premiums; this does not include certain groups who are exempt from payment (the list of exemptions is on the NII website). The regular payment of national insurance premiums entitles one to most of the NII allowances. The payment of health-insurance premiums entitles one to the services of the health funds. New immigrants (including a returning minor or an immigrant citizen) who are not working and have no source of income, or whose income is lower than the sum set by the National Insurance Institute, are exempt from national insurance and health insurance premiums for six months from the date of aliyah. It is possible to receive an exemption for another six months (twelve months altogether) if, in addition to the above mentioned condition, the new immigrant is receiving assured income from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. To actualize the additional six months benefit, you must provide the National Insurance Institute with confirmation of a receipt of assured income (from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration). The additional exemption will be given only for those months in which assured income was paid.