Unemployment benefit in Israel in 2026: who qualifies, how much and for how many days
In short
- Bituach Leumi pays the unemployment benefit (dmei avtala) to employees aged 20 to 67 who stopped working, if they worked at least 12 of the 18 months before registering with the Employment Service.
- The amount depends on your average wage over the last 6 months and your age: up to 80% of a low wage, and less as the wage rises. The maximum is ₪550.76 a day for the first 125 days. Work it out with the unemployment calculator.
- The number of days depends on age and dependants: from 50 days under 25 to 175 days from 45.
- If you were dismissed you are paid from your first day at the Employment Service. If you resigned without good reason you wait 90 days.
Who qualifies
You must meet all the conditions:
- An Israeli resident aged 20 to 67.
- You stopped working: you were dismissed, your contract ended, you resigned, or your employer put you on unpaid leave for at least 30 days. Unpaid leave at your own request does not count.
- You registered with the Employment Service and report as instructed. If you registered online, report to the office within 14 days.
- You worked as an employee for at least 12 of the 18 months before registering, not necessarily in a row. One working day in a month counts as a month.
The self-employed, controlling owners of a close company, soldiers in service and students who are not employees are not insured for unemployment.
How much
Your daily wage is your last 6 months' wages divided by 150. The benefit is a percentage of each band of the daily wage (2026):
- Maximum: ₪550.76 a day for the first 125 days, and ₪367.17 from day 126.
- For example, on ₪10,000 a month: from 28, ₪257.81 a day, about ₪6,445 for a full month. Under 28, ₪197.06 a day.
- Each month is paid by the possible working days (excluding Saturdays) if you reported as required. The first 5 days in every 4 months are unpaid but not taken from your quota.
- Income tax, ₪48 of Bituach Leumi contributions and health tax are deducted. Earnings or a pension during unemployment are deducted from the benefit.
| Daily wage | Age 28 and over | Under 28 |
|---|---|---|
| up to ₪207.50 | 80% | 60% |
| ₪207.50 to ₪311.25 | 50% | 40% |
| ₪311.25 to ₪415 | 45% | 35% |
| over ₪415 | 30% | 25% |
For how many days
- Women aged 57 to 67 born from 1960: up to 300 days within 18 months.
- Dependants: children under 18 (in some cases up to 24), and a spouse earning up to ₪7,848 who meets the conditions.
- Discharged soldiers and national service volunteers: up to 70 days in the first year after discharge.
- If you refuse suitable work offered by the Employment Service: 30 days fewer, and 90 days without payment.
| Age | Up to 2 dependants | 3 or more dependants |
|---|---|---|
| under 25 | 50 | 138 |
| 25 to 28 | 67 | 138 |
| 28 to 35 | 100 | 138 |
| 35 to 45 | 138 | 175 |
| 45 and over | 175 | 175 |
When payment starts
- Dismissed or contract ended: from your first day reporting. If you were paid through your notice period, that period does not count.
- Resigned: only 90 days after you stopped work. Good reasons — such as worse conditions, health, moving more than 60 km away (40 km for a mother of a child under 7) or sexual harassment — give the benefit from the first day, with documents.
- Unpaid leave at your employer's initiative: from the first day, after any remaining paid holiday.
- Early retirement at the employer's initiative: from the first day. Voluntary retirement counts as resigning.
How to claim
- Register with the Employment Service right after you stop work. You can register and claim in one online form.
- Claim the unemployment benefit on the Bituach Leumi website with payslips for the last 6 months and your employer's letter on why the work ended. If your employer sent Form 100, payslips are not needed.
- Claim within 12 months of first reporting. After that, you are paid only for the 12 months before the claim.
The benefit is paid around the 12th of each month for the previous month. If your days run out and you still have no work, check income support.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the unemployment benefit?
It depends on your wage and age. On ₪10,000: from 28, about ₪6,445 for a full month; under 28, about ₪4,927. The maximum is ₪550.76 a day, about ₪13,769 a month.
How long is the unemployment benefit paid?
50 days under 25, 67 under 28, 100 under 35, 138 under 45 and 175 from 45. With 3 or more dependants, 138 or 175 days.
Do I get unemployment benefit if I resigned?
Yes, but only 90 days after you stopped work. If you had a good reason to resign, you are paid from your first day reporting.
When is the unemployment benefit paid?
Around the 12th of each month, for the days you reported in the previous month.
Calculators for this topic
Unemployment benefit calculator
The daily and monthly amount and the number of days, by wage, age and dependants.
Worth checking too
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.
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.
Appealing a Bituach Leumi decision
Where to file and how fast: appeals committee, advisory committee, claims committee or Labour Court — depending on the decision.
Sources
This is general information, not legal advice. Amounts are correct as of the review date and change every January.