Wellness Payments (Dmei Avra'a): Payment Tables and Calculation Rules

Core Concept

Convalescence pay, or Dmei Avraa (דמי הבראה), is an annual supplement to an employee's salary, intended for the employee's recuperation. This payment is made by the employer. The right to this payment is established after completing one full year of employment with the same company. The amount depends on your seniority and the sector in which you work (private or public).

Who is Eligible?

• Any salaried employee who has worked for at least one full year for the same employer.
• The entitlement applies to full-time, part-time, or hourly employees (the amount is calculated proportionally to their position's scope).
• The right is maintained even if you were on unpaid leave (halat), but the leave period itself is not included in the seniority calculation.

Who is NOT eligible:

• Self-employed individuals (atzma'im).
• Employees with less than one year of seniority at their current place of employment.
• Freelancers who issue invoices (heshbonit) rather than receiving a payslip.

Your Rights

The payment amount is calculated using the formula: (Number of entitled days) x (Value per day). The number of days depends on your seniority (vetek) within the company.

Important: In the private sector, the value per day for 2024-2025 is frozen at 418 shekels. In the public sector, the rate is higher — 471.4 shekels.

Table of Day Accrual (Private Sector)

For part-time employees (helkiyut misra), the total amount is calculated proportionally. For example, an employee working a 50% position (half-day) will receive half of the full amount.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Await payment. Typically, employers automatically process convalescence pay during one of the summer months, from June to September.
2. Review your payslip (tlush maskoret). Locate the line item titled "Dmei Avraa" or "הבראה". Verify that the amount is calculated correctly according to your seniority and position scope.
3. Contact your employer. If the payment is missing or calculated incorrectly, contact the human resources or payroll department. It is recommended to do this in writing (via email) to document the communication.
4. File a claim in court. If the employer refuses to pay, you have the right to file a claim with the Labor Court (Beit Din le-Avoda). You can claim unpaid convalescence pay for the last 7 years.

List of Documents

To verify and claim the payment, you will need to confirm your seniority and employment terms. Keep the following on hand:

• Payslips (tlush maskoret) for the entire period of employment, or at least for the last year.
• Employment contract (hoze avoda) specifying the start date of employment.
• Copies of any correspondence with the employer regarding the payment.

Key Considerations

• Taxes: Dmei Avraa is subject to income tax, Bituach Leumi (National Insurance) contributions, and health tax, just like regular salary.
• Statute of Limitations: You can claim unpaid convalescence pay for the past 7 years.
• Deduction for Reservists (2024): In 2024, according to a temporary order, the value of one day will be deducted from every employee's convalescence pay. These funds will be directed to a compensation fund for reservists (miluimnikim). This is not a payroll error.
• Termination of Employment: Upon termination, the employer is obligated to pay any convalescence pay to which you were entitled but had not yet received in the current year.
• No Substitution for Vacation: An employer cannot substitute this payment by forcing an employee to take vacation days. It is a monetary payment.

Contacts and Links

Official and the most current information regarding rates and regulations can be found on government legal information portals (e.g., Kol Zchut) and on the website of the Ministry of Labor (Ministry of Labor / משרד העבודה). In case of a dispute, consulting with a labor law attorney is recommended.

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