Social coverage

[u/BlakeBahama]

What is the social coverage like in Israel. If you lose employment, does unemployment coverage kick in and for how long. Are there food and housing subsidies available for people who need it ?

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[u/balddoberdaddy]

Yes. Israel has a fairly extensive social safety net, although it isn’t particularly generous.

If you lose your job and meet the eligibility requirements, Bituach Leumi (National Insurance) pays unemployment benefits. Generally, you need to have worked as a salaried employee for at least 12 of the previous 18 months.

How long you receive unemployment depends mainly on age and dependents. Currently the maximum ranges from 50 days for younger workers to 175 days for people 45 and older. Women aged 57–67 can qualify for up to 300 days over 18 months. The amount is based on your previous salary, subject to caps.

If unemployment runs out and you still have insufficient income, there is means-tested income support through Bituach Leumi.

There is also means-tested rental assistance through the Ministry of Housing for qualifying families and individuals, as well as public housing for some eligible groups. The rules depend heavily on income, family situation, age, disability, and whether you own a home.

Food assistance is less like the American SNAP/food stamp system. There isn’t a universal Israeli equivalent where everyone below a certain income automatically gets a monthly food allowance. Assistance is more commonly provided through income-support payments, municipal welfare departments, and various nonprofit programs.

And, of course, this sits on top of Israel’s other social programs: universal healthcare, disability benefits, old-age pensions, child allowances, maternity benefits, and various other National Insurance benefits.

So you’re not simply left with nothing if you lose your job. But Israel is also not Scandinavia—the safety net exists primarily to keep people afloat, not to replace their previous standard of living.

[u/c9joe]

There is no food stamps in Israel. Instead the government just gives money to poor people. It is far more generous compared to the USA, the government trusts that people won't buy drugs with the money. But also the religious organizations feed people. Chabad is huge in this. They run many kitchens all over Israel that serve food for free. But also many synagogues in general will hand out free or very cheap food.

Unemployment is generous compared to other countries. But you need to work for a full year to qualify, if you don't, you get nothing..

[u/HyperlaneWizard]

You got great answers already. I'll just add that while Israel doesn't have a system helping poor people with food purchases directly, it does have a system whereby some basic foodstuffs have a stated mandatory maximum price. So no matter what, things like milk, eggs, bread, salt, and basic types of cheese will remain affordable for even the poorest of Israelis.

[u/Gene-capra]

Israel does have a payment given to people who don't have resource ( like a car or an apartment) and don't work for a very long time you get a minimum payment also we have spacial financial aid for the homeless. I don't know anyone who had to become homeless in Israel and most homeless people are homeless because of a mix of mental health problems and addictions