IDF — After the army: release grant (Ma'anak Shichrur), Pikadon deposit, rent assistance for released lone soldiers, and reactivating oleh benefits
Many olim call their release from the IDF a “second Aliyah”: you re-adjust to civilian life and decide what comes next — travel, Avoda Muedefet, studies as an oleh, or work. Many Aliyah benefits are frozen during the army; once you are released, the clock starts ticking again.
Release grant — Ma’anak Shichrur
If you served at least 12 months (or were due to and were released early for medical reasons), you receive a one-time release grant transferred to your bank account within 60 days of release. The amount depends on whether you served in a combat, combat-support, or non-combat role. If it has not arrived within 60 days: IDF Payments Department 03-679-2888, or 1111 ext. 3.
The Pikadon (deposit)
The Pikadon is a deposit set aside for soldiers and Bnot Sherut who served 12 months or more (amount depends on where and how long you served). Rules under the Released Soldiers Law (2017 amendment):
- During the first 5 years after release you can withdraw it only for six purposes: education, vocational training, driver’s license, opening a business, marriage, and buying an apartment. Bring the form to Bank Leumi or Bank Hapoalim.
- After 5 years, whatever is left is transferred automatically within 60 days to the bank account the IDF had on file at release — so keep that account open, or update your details. If the account is closed, you can instead have it sent to the Post Office (Bank Hadoar) via the Hachvana site: approve the request, wait 7 working days, collect within 90 days with ID (cash up to NIS 11,000; larger amounts by bank transfer).
- Unclaimed after 10 years = lost.
- If you leave Israel and have no Israeli bank account, appoint a power of attorney (email Pikadon_5@mod.gov.il for the procedure).
- Check status and calculate amounts at www.hachvana.mod.gov.il; Ministry of Defense released-soldiers department: 03-777-6770.
Rent assistance for released lone soldiers (first year after release)
The Department and Foundation for Released Soldiers pays up to NIS 1,000 per month for up to 12 consecutive months (max NIS 12,000) in the first year after release, subject to budget. Conditions:
- You were recognized by the army as a lone soldier eligible for rent assistance through the end of service.
- The lease is in your name, signed by you and the owner, states dates and monthly rent; sub-lets and leases from your parents are not accepted; a lease of at least 6 months is recommended.
- Apply online within the first year after release; verification must finish within 2 months of applying.
- Paid in two installments of up to 6 months each. Assistance from other ministries (e.g. Misrad Haklita) is deducted; months in Beit Hachayal or an Alach apartment are deducted.
- Also check eligibility for help buying basic home appliances.
Oleh benefits — what freezes and how to restart
| Benefit | During army | After release |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | Covered by the army | Kupot offer released soldiers free supplementary plans: Meuhedet — one year of Adif free if you join within 90 days (Meuhedet C for NIS 13/month); Maccabi — one year of Maccabi Sheli or Magen Zahav free if you join within 6 months; Leumit — one year of Leumit Zahav free; Clalit — one year of Mushlam Zahav free (Platinum NIS 40/month). Verify current offers with each kupah. |
| Bituach Leumi | Exempt | Exempt for 2 more months after release. Then if unemployed you must pay the minimum monthly contribution yourself (NBN cites ~NIS 170; check current rate); if employed, the employer pays. Visit a branch when you start working to avoid debt. |
| Driver’s license | Does not freeze | Olim have 1 year to drive on a foreign license and 5 years to convert it; many Misrad Harishui offices grant released soldiers a one-year extension, case by case. |
| Arnona | Exempt in most cities during service (lone soldiers) | Exemption continues 4 months after release — activate at your municipality. |
| Customs benefits (3 tax-free shipments, reduced car tax) | Frozen | 3-year eligibility clock resumes. customs@nbn.org.il |
| Rental assistance (Misrad Hashikun/Binui) | Paid automatically (NBN cites NIS 402/month) | Open a file at a rental-assistance company (Amidar, Milgam, etc.) to resume; you re-enter the bracket for your Aliyah year (e.g. ~NIS 400/month in years 2–4, ~NIS 89 in year 5). After 60 months of Aliyah, apply within 3 months for the Released Oleh Lone Soldier extension: months served (max 36) at ~NIS 402/month. Bring Teudat Zehut, bank confirmation, Teudat Oleh, Teudat Shichrur (or service-length confirmation), Teudat Zakaut. Hotline *5442. |
| Tuition subsidy (Student Authority) | Frozen | Must start BA before 27 / MA before 30 and within 3 years of Aliyah (frozen time excluded). Under 23: Mechina help too. nbnstudents@nbn.org.il |
| Income tax reduction (oleh credit points) | Frozen (also during university) | 4.5 years of Aliyah; mark “Oleh Chadash” + Aliyah date on Tofes 101 at your employer. |
| Dmei Kiyum (Misrad Haklita living allowance) | — | Unemployed olim 6–12 months after Aliyah, after Sal Klita ends; apply at your Misrad Haklita branch. |
Work and study after release
- Avoda Muedefet / Avoda Nidreshet (preferred/vital work) — released soldiers who complete 6 full months (150 days; 4 months/100 days in agriculture) in an approved workplace (hotels, tourism, factories, agriculture, security, etc.) within 2 years of release get a one-time grant from Bituach Leumi (NBN cites NIS 9,550; check the current amount on btl.gov.il). Work must start within 12 months of release.
- Psychometric exam — Israel’s SAT equivalent (200–800); many programs accept a US SAT score instead. nite.org.il
- Scholarships for released soldiers: IMPACT! (FIDF/AWIS) — $4,000 per year for combat soldiers in financial need, 130 community-service hours/year (awis.org.il/impact, 072-270-2270); Heseg Foundation — full BA tuition plus monthly stipend for lone soldiers (heseg.com, 03-771-3100); Atidim TAKEOFF and Wings (Knafayim) — career, education and life-skills support for released lone soldiers (wings.org.il/afterarmy).
- Job search help: employment@nbn.org.il
Miluim (reserve duty)
Some released soldiers are called for reserve duty several times a year; there is traditionally a one-year grace period after release. An annual Ma’anak Miluim grant is paid by days served (NBN table: 10–14.5 days ≈ NIS 1,308; 15–19.5 ≈ 2,616; 20–36.5 ≈ 3,924; 37+ ≈ 5,232 — amounts change, verify with Bituach Leumi). Reservists with 20+ days/year can register for B’Hatzdaa discounts.
Contacts
- Lone Soldier Hotline 24/7: *6563 · Meitav: 1111 · Merkaz Bodedim: 1111 ext. 2
- Ministry of Defense released soldiers: 03-777-6770, hachvana.mod.gov.il
- Misrad Haklita lone-soldier olim coordinator: shaulg@moia.gov.il
- Misrad Habinui hotline: *5442
- NBN Lone Soldiers Program: lspen@nbn.org.il, 02-659-5800