First steps in Israel after Aliyah. what you need to do or know as a new Oleh in Israel
The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption is pleased to announce that as of 2002, a supplementary grant has been added to the absorption basket.
This grant replaces the absorption basket loan that had been valid until 31.12.2001, in accordance with the Table of Monthly Payments that appears in the Ministry Bureau and on the Table of Financial Assistance in the Absorption Basket.
The supplementary grant was created to provide assistance in rent until the end of the first year of absorption, and is added as an eighth payment in the absorption basket.
Elderly immigrants who are entitled to receive an old age pension and supplementary income from the National Insurance Institute, and anyone entitled to an old age pension within 44 months from the date they immigrated, will continue to receive the supplementary grant in sums that had been valid until then.
Note - Immigrants who made aliyah from 01/01/96, and who received an Absorption Basket loan, and whose family status has changed, are entitled to convert the loan into a grant, according to the following conditions:
• One who reached retirement age and is eligible for an old age pension and income supplement from the National Insurance Institute.
• One who is entitled to a widow/widower pension with income supplement from the National Insurance Institute.
• One who is entitled to steady disability pension from the National Insurance Institute(Kizvat nechut yezivah).
• Victims of terror who have been recognized by the National Insurance Institute.
The loan is converted to a grant by a special committee.
All immigrants who belong to any of these categories can turn to a district office of the Ministry with up- to- date documentation from the National Insurance Institute.
Table of Financial Assistance Sums in the Absorption Basket
| Payments |
Couples | Single Parent Family | Single |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash at Airport | 2,500 | 2,300 | 1,250 |
| Bank deposit at Airport | 3,800 | 1,460 | 1,430 |
| 1st payment | 4,800 | 4,334 | 2,622 |
| 2st payment | 4,800 | 4,334 | 2,622 |
| 3st payment | 4,800 | 4,334 | 2,622 |
| 4st payment | 4,800 | 4,334 | 2,622 |
| 5st payment | 4,800 | 4,334 | 2,622 |
| 6st payment | 4,800 | 4,334 | 2,622 |
| Total | 35,100 | 29,764 | 18,412 |
| Payments |
Pre-Pension Couples* | Pre-Pension Single parent Family* | Pre-Pension Single* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash at Airport | 2,500 | 2,300 | 1,205 |
| Bank deposit at Airport | 3,627 | 1,481 | 1,437 |
| 1st payment | 6,177 | 5,197 | 3,341 |
| 2st payment | 6,177 | 5,197 | 3,341 |
| 3st payment | 6,177 | 5,197 | 3,341 |
| 4st payment | 6,177 | 5,197 | 3,341 |
| 5st payment | 6,177 | 5,197 | 3,341 |
| 6st payment | 6,177 | 5,197 | 3,341 |
| Total | 43,189 | 34,963 | 22,733 |
| Payments |
Retiree Couples | Retiree Single parent Family | Retiree Single |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash at Airport | 2,500 | 2,300 | 1,250 |
| Bank deposit at Airport | 3,594 | 1,454 | 2,183 |
| 1st payment | 3,831 | 3,347 | 2,650 |
| 2st payment | 3,831 | 3,347 | 2,650 |
| 3st payment | 3,831 | 3,347 | 2,650 |
| 4st payment | 3,831 | 3,347 | 2,650 |
| 5st payment | 3,831 | 3,347 | 2,650 |
| 6st payment | 3,831 | 3,347 | 2,650 |
| Total | 29,080 | 23,836 | 19,333 |
| Payments |
Age 0-4 | Age 4-18 | Age 18-21 | Supplement for a Family of 6 or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash at Airport | 250 | 250 | 250 | |
| Bank deposit at Airport | 3,020 | 2,993 | 3,033 | |
| 1st payment | 1,270 | 665 | 1,051 | 839 |
| 2st payment | 1,270 | 665 | 1,051 | 837 |
| 3st payment | 1,270 | 665 | 1,051 | 837 |
| 4st payment | 1,270 | 665 | 1,051 | 837 |
| 5st payment | 1,270 | 665 | 1,051 | 837 |
| 6st payment | 1,270 | 665 | 1,051 | 837 |
| Total | 10,890 | 7,233 | 9,589 | 5,024 |
The Customs Grant is a monetary grant that is in place of the exemption from Customs duties on household electrical appliances that is given to new immigrants from certain countries, according to the attached list.
Those eligible for the customs grant can also bring furniture and household items (e.g. electrical appliances) with them from overseas.
Who is eligible for the Customs Grant and the conditions for receiving it
Terms of Costims Grant
List of Countries that confer eligibility
• The Customs Grant is granted to immigrants who came to Israel after 30.11.1990. • Immigrants who entered Israel with another form of visa and who changed their status within one year of their final entry into Israel.
• Immigrants who are over 17 years old upon becoming an oleh.
• Immigrants who came to Israel from countries that confer eligibility for the Customs Grant.
• Children of immigrants aged 23 and up that made aliyah up to 31/12/2008 *.
• Immigrants who married within their first year following aliyah.
• Immigrants who did not spend time in a country that is not on the list of countries that confer eligibility prior to making aliyah.
• The amount of the Customs Grant is fixed both for an inspanidual and for a family.
*As of 1/1/2009 one that makes aliyah with their parents and who is age 21 and up at the time of aliyah, receives their own "Immigrant Certificate" (Te'udat Oleh) and is not categorized as a "Child of an immigrant" (Ben Oleh).
Also eligible for a Customs Grant are:
• An Immigrant Citizen who meets all the criteria.
• A Returning Minor who meets all the criteria.
Immigrants whose eligibility to receive a Customs Grant was established at the airport will receive the first installment at the airport.
Immigrants whose eligibility for a Customs Grant was established at a Ministry of Immigrant Absorption branch office will receive the first installment credited to their bank account.
The second installment will be transferred to the immigrant's bank account after 12 months.
An immigrant who for some reason did not receive the balance of the grant in his bank account should contact the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption branch office nearest to their place of residence.
Period of Eligibility for the Customs Grant
New Immigrants are entitled to receive the grant within four years of their aliyah.
Period of eligibility for receiving the Customs Grant
In 2002, the amounts of the grant were amended.
immigrants who arrived on and after 1.1.2002 will receive the grant unconditionally.
For immigrants who arrived before 31.12.01, a customs grant will be given as a loan that becomes a grant 3 years after receiving the first installment, and two years after the receiving the second installment.
Note: These conditions changed in February 2003 and the assistance became a full grant for those who received the previous amount.
Immigrants who are entitled to the Customs Grant and who brought a container to Israel with electrical household appliances, must pay customs and import duties as required.
Additional information on matters connected to the customs duties may be obtained at the Customs Authority offices and on the Customs Authority website.
Additional information on the Customs Grant may be obtained from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption coordinators and from the booklet entitled "The Absorption Basket" that are published in English, French, Russian and Spanish - see Catalogue of Publications.
Remember, this is only general information. In the case of any differences between these details and the existing laws and regulations - the latter will prevail.
Eastern Europe: the FSU (includes all countries in the Former Soviet Union) Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia (all countries in former Yugoslavia), Bulgaria, Albania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary.
Africa: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Asia: Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, China, India, and Iran.
Latin America: Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia.Venezuela, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic.
Ethiopian Immigrant families will receive assistance according to special Absorption Basket regulations.
An immigrant is eligible to receive assistance provided he spent less than one year in a country that is not on the above list, prior to his entry to Israel.
| Family | Single over 17 or Immigrant Child over 23* | Single Parent + Child Aged 23-25 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash at Airport | 500 | 500 | 1000 |
| Bank Transfer at Airport | 678 | 678 | 1356 |
| Payment after 12 Months | 3894 | 1855 | 3710 |
| Total Customs Tax Grant | 5072 | 3033 | 6066 |
*As of 1/1/2009 one that makes aliyah with their parents and who is age 21 and up at the time of aliyah, receives their own "Immigrant Certificate" (Te’udat Oleh) and is not categorized as a " Child of an immigrant " (Ben Olim)
Remember, this is only general information. In the case of any differences between these details and the existing laws and regulations - the latter will prevail. Before taking any action, please contact the bureau or branch of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption nearest to your home, and check if the information you have is valid for you.
Income insurance is a monthly amount given to immigrants during a period of time that they cannot work to support themselves.
Who is entitled to income insurance
Period of eligibility for income insurance and period of assistance
Table of assistance for income insurance
1. Immigrants who are studying at an ulpan, who are not entitled to the absorption basket. For additional details see chapter on Hebrew Studies.
2. Immigrants during their first year in the country who are studying in Ministry of Immigrant Absorption morning classes. For additional details see chapter on Employment.
3. Immigrants during their first year in the country who are looking for work or unemployed. For additional details see chapter on Employment.
4. Returning Resident - a returning resident is entitled to income insurance for the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption for three months from his return to Israel. For additional details see chapter on Returning Residents.
The grant comes as a set sum per family. A single immigrant over the age of 17 with his/her own Immigration Certificate or a child of an immigrant over the age of 23 is entitled to a grant. Children of immigrants who married within the first year after their immigration are also entitled to receive the Customs Tax Grant.
The 'needy' population is immigrants who cannot be considered 'employment seekers' for special, personal reasons.
a. Single Parent Family
• Parent age 18-60
• The youngest child is under 7 years of age.
• The children live with the parent.
• The parent is not defined as looking for work, does not register with the Employment Bureau, does not study in a course and does not receive assistance from the fund for entrepreneurs.
• The parent does not own a car, unless he has been authorized a mobility grant from the National Insurance Institute.
Required Documents:
Immigrant Certificate on which are registered the children.
For car owners – authorization from the National Insurance Institute regarding entitlement for mobility vehicle for the handicapped.
b. Pregnant Woman
• Woman over the age of 18
• Is 13 or more weeks pregnant, or on bed rest
• Does not work and does not study in a course
• Her spouse does not work and is not studying in a course
• Neither of the spouses receives assistance from one of the funds for entrepreneurs
• Neither the woman or her spouse owns a car (with the exception of disabled people who receive a mobility grant from the National Insurance Institute)
Required Documents:
Immigrant Certificate, OB/GYN's letter of confirmation of the week of pregnancy or for the need for bed rest.
Amount of the assistance – depends on the number of family members – See Table of Assistance for Income Insurance for the Needy
c. Pre-Pension Age
• Age: Man: 60-65, Woman 55-60
• Both spouses do not work
• Do not study in a course
• Did not receive assistance from one of the funds for entrepreneurs
• Do not own a car (with the exception of disabled people who receive a mobility grant from National Insurance Institute).
Required Documents:
Immigrant Certificate
For car owners – authorization of eligibility for mobility from the National Insurance Institute
d. Sick or Hospitalized Persons
• Age: Man 18-65, Woman, 18-60
• Have authorization as being' unable to work'
• Spouse does not work, does not study in a course and did not receive assistance from one of the funds for entrepreneurs
• Do not own a car (with the exception of disabled people who receive a mobility grant from National Insurance Institute)
Required Documents:
Immigrant Certificate
Authorization from Employment Service - 'Unable to be placed'
Authorization from hospital or doctor that he is unable to work
For car owners who receive mobility – authorization from national Insurance Institute
e. Blind, Disabled or Impaired
• Age 18-60
• Has suitable medical authorizations
• Do not work, do not study in courses and did not receive assistance from one of the funds for entrepreneurs
• The couple do not work, do not study in courses and did not receive assistance from the funds for entrepreneurs
Required documents:
Immigrant Certificate
Medical authorizations
Blindness – blind person's certificate from Ministry of Labor and Welfare
f. Caregivers of a Family Member
• Relative of a family member being cared for: son/daughter, spouse, parent
• Age of caregiver: Man 18-65, Woman 18-60.
• Caregiver and his/her spouse do not work, do not study in courses and did not receive assistance from the funds for the self-employed
• The caregiver and his/her spouse do not own a car (other than a mobility car).
Required Documents:
Immigrant Certificate of the caregiver and of the patient
Authorizations indicating the need to supervise the patient or the need to assist the patient in daily activities
Authorization from the National Insurance Institute that the patient is not receiving a nursing grant
For car owners – authorization of mobility from the National Insurance Institute
The general period of eligibility for income insurance is till the end of the first year since the date of immigration.
The period of assistance is between six months and one year. For additional details see chapter on Employment.
At the end of the first year since immigration immigrants must contact the Institute of National Insurance in order to continue receiving assistance, according to the regulations of national insurance.
For additional information see the website of the Institute of National Insurance.
Immigrants are entitled to receive the grant within four years of their immigration to Israel. Immigrants who for some reason did not receive the remainder of the grant in their bank account should contact the branch of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption closest to their home.
Payment of the income insurance is not made automatically, rather only after the immigrant has fulfilled all requirements. Payment is deposited in the immigrant's bank account on a monthly basis. If you do not receive payment you must contact the branch of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption closest to your home.
The sum of assistance depends on the number of family members (children until 18) that are registered in the Immigrant Certificate. See Table of assistance for income insurance and income insurance for the needy.
NOTE
The sum of income insurance is given to the family as one unit and depends on the income of both spouses.
Remember, this is only general information. In the case of any differences between these details and the existing laws and regulations - the latter will prevail.
Before taking any action, please contact the bureau or branch of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption nearest to your home, and check if the information you have is valid for you.
You must contact the absorption coordinator in the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption bureau nearest to your home, and submit a request for assistance, including all required documents. If you are found to be eligible, assistance will be transferred to your bank account.
Amount of the Assistance – based on the number of family members who are eligible (children up to the age of 18) – For additional information, see Table of assistance for income insurance for the 'needy'
In the case of temporary distress or crisis, you can contact the absorption coordinator at the bureau or branch of the Ministry and request special financial assistance from the district manager's fund. This is a one-time assistance.
Remember, the information appearing here is general only. Your personal data such as stay in Israel, change in family status, etc. may affect your eligibility in the aforementioned areas.
Before you take any action, please contact the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption nearest your home and clarify whether the information is valid for you.
In the case of discrepancy between the information appearing here and regulations, the regulations take precedence.
| Number of Family Members | Monthly Assistance (NIS) |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | 1318 |
| 2 People | 1980 |
| 3 People | 2388 |
| 4 People | 2780 |
Remember, this is only general information. In the case of any differences between these details and the existing laws and regulations - the latter will prevail. Before taking any action, please contact the bureau or branch of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption nearest to your home, and check if the information you have is valid for you.
• One-time grant for needy immigrants from the district director's fund.
• Payments to refugee immigrants from emergency regions.
• Complementary income to low-salary immigrants.
• Assistance in immigrant placement in employment.
• Assistance in ulpan and course tuition – See chapter on Employment and the chapter on Hebrew Studies.
• Refund of examination fees.
• Special assistance in transportation to students in a course, ulpan or guidance.
centers outside their city of residence – See chapter on Employment.
• Assistance from funds for the advancement of employment- See chapter on Employment.
• Personal scholarships to scientists.
• Scholarships for Ethiopian immigrant students.
• Grants to soldiers.
• Special absorption basket for Ethiopian immigrants and a grant for the purchase of equipment.
• Entrepreneurship – loans for the establishment of businesses – See chapter on Entrepreneurship.
Remember that the information appearing here is general information only.
In the case of discrepancy between the information appearing here and existing laws and regulations – the laws and regulations take precedence.
Before you take any action, check with the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption nearest to your home to see whether the information is valid for you.
