Income Support Benefit in Israel (2026): who qualifies, how much and how to apply
In short
- A monthly Bituach Leumi benefit (הבטחת הכנסה) for people without enough income to live on: people who are ill, unemployed, single parents, low earners.
- Eligibility is checked for the whole family: your and your spouse's income and work.
- In most cases you must report to the Employment Service, but there are many exemptions.
- The benefit is paid from the month you file, not retroactively. File right away and add documents later.
Who qualifies
- Israeli residents for at least 24 consecutive months. Special rules apply to immigrants and shorter-term residents.
- Aged 20 or over. From 18 in special situations such as illness, pregnancy or ulpan studies. Parents qualify at any age.
- Your and your spouse's income is below the threshold for your age and household.
- No car, or one car worth less than ₪46,138 (₪65,343 for people of retirement age). There are exceptions, for example for people with disabilities and parents of a disabled child.
- You report to the Employment Service unless exempt.
- Not studying at a university or college (except single parents in some cases), not a yeshiva student, not in regular army service and not a kibbutz member.
How much is paid
| Household | Age 25–54 | Age 55 to retirement age |
|---|---|---|
| Single | ₪2,076 | ₪2,596 |
| Couple | ₪2,855 | ₪3,893 |
| Couple + child | ₪3,115 | ₪4,516 |
| Couple + 2 or more children | ₪3,478 | ₪5,139 |
| Single parent + child | ₪3,478 | ₪4,250 |
| Single parent + 2 or more children | ₪4,049 | ₪5,289 |
At 20–24, people who report to the Employment Service get less, for example ₪1,661 for a single person. Above retirement age the amount equals the senior citizen pension with income supplement.
Earnings reduce the benefit only partly. A single person aged 25–54 can earn up to ₪3,654 a month and still receive a partial benefit.
Exemptions from reporting to the Employment Service
Examples:
- Working 36 hours a week, or 15 hours a week caring for elderly people.
- Unable to work for more than 30 days for medical reasons. The exemption lasts up to 6 months, with medical certificates.
- One parent of a child under two, and pregnant women from week 13.
- Caring for a sick family member who needs constant supervision and lives with you.
- Studying at a Ministry of Aliyah ulpan at least 4 mornings a week.
How to apply
- Fill in the income support claim on the Bituach Leumi website, on paper or at a branch.
- Attach documents for your situation, for example confirmations for an exemption. If a document is missing, file without it and add it later so you do not lose a month.
- The benefit is paid on the 12th of each month for the previous month.
- Report any change in income, family or address within 30 days.
Good to know
- If you have filed for disability allowance and are waiting for a decision, you can receive income support in the meantime.
- Child allowance, disabled child benefit, attendance allowance, mobility allowance and long-term care benefit do not count as income.
- The flat you live in does not count as an asset. Other property does.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get income support if I work?
Yes, if your pay is low. Earnings reduce the benefit only partly. People working 36 hours a week are exempt from reporting.
Why apply quickly?
The benefit is paid only from the month you apply. Only in some cases, for example an unemployed person who reported in the previous month, is the month before paid too.
I have a car. Do I lose eligibility?
Not necessarily. One car worth less than ₪46,138 still allows eligibility but reduces the benefit according to its value. There are exceptions for people with disabilities and parents of a disabled child.
Calculators for this topic
Unemployment benefit calculator
The daily and monthly amount and the number of days, by wage, age and dependants.
Disability pension calculator
The pension by degree of incapacity, dependants' supplements and the effect of earnings.
Worth checking too
Unemployment benefit
For employees with 12 of the last 18 months of work who lost their job: by wage and age, up to ₪550.76 a day, 50 to 175 days.
General Disability Allowance
A monthly allowance for people whose earning capacity fell by at least 50% because of illness, injury or a birth defect. Up to ₪4,711 a month.
Senior Income Supplement
An addition to the old-age pension for people with low income. Brings the pension up to ₪4,375 for a single person and ₪6,912 for a couple.
Arnona discount
Up to 100% for seniors with the income supplement, up to 80% for disability, up to 90% for olim and the blind, and by income. Apply to your local authority.
Tax Refund for Employees
A refund of tax over-deducted from your salary. You can claim up to 6 years back, yourself and with no fee.
Maternity allowance
15 or 8 weeks depending on your work record, based on your wage up to ₪1,752.33 a day. Fathers can take part of it.
Sources
This is general information, not legal advice. Amounts are correct as of the review date and change every January.