Unemployment Benefits (Avtala) in Israel: Eligibility and Duration

Core Concept

Unemployment benefits (in Hebrew: "Dmei Avtala") are a temporary financial support from the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) for salaried employees who have lost their job through no fault of their own or have resigned under justifiable circumstances. The purpose of the benefit is to provide an income during the period of searching for new employment. The amount and duration of payments depend on your previous earnings, age, and family status.

Who is Eligible?

To be eligible for the benefit, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• You are a resident of Israel.
• You are between the ages of 20 and 67.
• You were a salaried employee, and your employer paid Bituach Leumi contributions for you.
• You have accumulated the required "qualifying period" (Tkufat Akhshara), meaning you have worked a certain number of months within the last year and a half. The exact period should be verified on the Bituach Leumi website.
• You registered with the Employment Service (Lishkat ha-Ta'asuka) as a job seeker immediately after your employment ended.

Who is NOT eligible (common cases):

• Self-employed individuals (Atzma'im).
• Students undergoing professional training (with some exceptions).
• Employees on unpaid leave (HALAT) at their own initiative.
• Individuals who resigned without a justifiable reason (for them, payments will only begin after 90 days).

Your Rights

The benefit amount is calculated as a percentage of your average salary during the months preceding your dismissal. The higher the salary, the lower the percentage, but there is a statutory maximum.

• Benefit Amount: Calculated on a progressive scale. The first days are paid at a higher rate than the subsequent ones.
• Duration of Payments: The period depends on your age and the number of dependents (a spouse with no income or children under 18).
• Preservation of Pension Rights: While receiving the benefit, Bituach Leumi continues to make contributions to your pension fund to maintain the continuity of your savings (Retzifut Zkhuyot).

Important: The exact amounts and payment periods are constantly updated. Check the current data on the official Bituach Leumi calculator.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Register with the Employment Service (Lishkat ha-Ta'asuka). This is the first and most crucial step. Do this online or in person at your local branch on the very first day after your employment ends. Failure to appear will result in the loss of entitlement to the benefit for that period.
2. Gather Documents. Obtain a letter of dismissal (Mikhtav Piturin) from your employer and collect all necessary documents from the list below.
3. Submit a Claim to Bituach Leumi. Complete the online claim form for unemployment benefits on the Bituach Leumi website. Attach scans of all documents. This can be done within 12 months of registering with the Employment Service, but the sooner, the better.
4. Regular Reporting to the Employment Service. Continue to report to Lishkat ha-Ta'asuka (online or in person, according to their requirements) to confirm your status as a job seeker. Missing a report will disqualify you from receiving the benefit for the corresponding period.
5. Await Decision and Payments. Bituach Leumi will review your claim. The first payment is usually received in the month following approval.

List of Documents

• Identity card (Teudat Zehut).
• Letter from the employer stating the reason and date of termination (Mikhtav Piturin or Ishur al Hafsakat Avoda).
• Salary slips (Tlushei Maskoret) for the last 18 months of employment (minimum of 12 months).
• Bank account management confirmation (Ishur Nihul Heshbon) or a voided check for the benefit deposit.
• Completed benefit claim form (available on the Bituach Leumi website).

Pitfalls

• Registration Deadlines: Register with the Employment Service on the very first day of unemployment. Any delay will result in a loss of funds.
• Resignation: If you resign without a justifiable reason (e.g., relocation, health deterioration, proven worsening of working conditions), benefit payments will commence only after 90 days.
• Refusal of a Job Offer: If the Employment Service offers you "suitable work" (matching your education, experience, and health condition) and you refuse, you may be denied benefits for 90 days, and your total payment period may be reduced.
• Working While Receiving Benefits: You are obligated to report any income, even partial, to Bituach Leumi. Concealing information is a violation of the law.
• Travel Abroad: Traveling abroad suspends benefit payments. Upon return, you must report again to the Employment Service.

Contacts and Links

For current links to online forms, calculators, and branch addresses, visit the official government websites:

• National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi)
• Employment Service (Lishkat ha-Ta'asuka)

Bituach Leumi Call Center: *6050

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