Maternity allowance in Israel in 2026: who qualifies, for how long and how much
In short
- Bituach Leumi pays the maternity allowance (dmei leida) to employed and self-employed women who gave birth and stopped working, in place of wages during maternity leave.
- If you paid contributions for 10 of the 14 months before you stopped work, or 15 of 22, you get 15 weeks. With 6 of 14, you get 8 weeks.
- The daily amount is your average wage over the last 3 or 6 months, whichever is higher, divided by 30 — up to ₪1,752.33 a day. It is paid in one payment to your bank account. Work it out with the maternity allowance calculator.
- Usually no claim is needed: your employer sends Form 100 and payment is automatic.
Who qualifies
You must meet all the conditions:
- You gave birth from week 22 plus one day, including a stillbirth.
- You stopped working during pregnancy and did not work during the allowance period. Self-employed women can get approval to maintain the business at up to 25% of their hours.
- You have a qualifying period: months in which you worked and paid Bituach Leumi contributions, not necessarily in a row. Part of a month counts as a full month. Army and national service can make up months.
For how long
- The first day follows the day you stopped work, but no earlier than 53 days before the birth (full period) or 28 days (partial period).
- If the mother is in hospital for 15 days or more: up to 4 more weeks. If the baby is: up to 245 more days, by days in hospital.
- A baby recognised during the leave as having a complex disability: 5 more weeks, from 1.4.2026. All extensions together: up to 20 weeks.
| Months with contributions | Period | Each extra baby |
|---|---|---|
| 10 of 14, or 15 of 22 | 15 weeks (105 days) | +3 weeks |
| 6 of 14 | 8 weeks (56 days) | +2 weeks |
How much
- The daily amount is the higher of two: wages for the 3 full months before you stopped work divided by 90, or wages for 6 months divided by 180.
- The maximum is ₪1,752.33 a day (2026). Over 15 weeks that is up to about ₪184,000.
- Income tax, Bituach Leumi and health contributions are deducted. If you have a tax exemption or credit, send the certificate.
- If your employer later paid recreation pay, clothing, a bonus or wage arrears, you can get a top-up. The employer sends Form 100 again.
Self-employed women are paid first on their advance payments, then on the tax assessment for that year or the year before, whichever is higher.
How to get it
- Ask your employer to send Bituach Leumi Form 100. They can do it during pregnancy, but not more than 9 weeks before the due date.
- After a hospital birth you get a text message asking permission to contact your employer. If you agree, you do not need to claim.
- Self-employed women, women who received unemployment benefit until a month before the birth and women on pregnancy risk allowance are paid automatically.
- Others claim online after the birth. A claim made more than 12 months after you stopped work may lose the entitlement.
Maternity allowance for fathers
- A father with 10 of 14 months (or 15 of 22) can take over from the mother 6 weeks after the birth, for at least 7 days in a row. She goes back to work and he is paid on his own wage.
- The parents can also be on leave together for one week (3 weeks for twins, 5 for triplets), taken from the mother's days.
- Their combined leave cannot exceed the mother's period. They can switch only once.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the maternity allowance?
Your average wage over the last 3 or 6 months divided by 30, times 105 days (or 56), up to ₪1,752.33 a day. On ₪12,000 a month: ₪400 a day, ₪42,000 for 15 weeks before deductions.
When is the maternity allowance paid?
In one payment to your bank account, once Bituach Leumi has the birth details and Form 100 from your employer.
Is the maternity allowance taxed?
Yes. Income tax, Bituach Leumi and health contributions are deducted. If too much was taken, you can claim a tax refund.
What if I worked fewer than 10 months?
With 6 months of contributions out of 14 you get 8 weeks. With fewer there is no maternity allowance, but check the birth grant and other rights.
Calculators for this topic
Maternity allowance calculator
The daily amount and the total for your leave, from your wage, work record and number of babies.
Worth checking too
Tax Credit Points
Each credit point cuts your income tax by ₪242 a month. Children, aliyah, army service, a degree — and missed points can be reclaimed for past years.
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.
Income Support
A benefit from age 20 for people with no income or low income. Paid only from the month you apply, so do not wait.
Disabled Child Benefit
For parents of a child with an illness, impairment or dependence on others, from 91 days to 18. ₪1,943–₪9,126 a month, up to a year back.
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.
Sources
This is general information, not legal advice. Amounts are correct as of the review date and change every January.