Chaim V'Chessed

Unemployment

Published on November 4, 2024 Print this guide

Avtala (Unemployment)

Unemployment benefits are available to individuals who have either willingly or unwillingly left their place of employment and meet certain eligibility criteria. The process involves two government offices: Lishkat Hataasukah (the Employment Bureau) and Bituach Leumi. Lishkat Hataasukah monitors the unemployed and assists them in re-entering the workforce by offering jobs suited to their prior training and experience. Bituach Leumi provides monthly unemployment payments for the duration of eligibility.

Who is Eligible for Unemployment?
To qualify for unemployemnt benefits, one must meet all of the following conditions:

  • Has been fired or has willingly left a job
  • Is recognized by Bituach Leumi as a resident of Israel
  • Is between 20 and 67 years of age
  • Was legally employed (self-employed individuals are not eligible)
  • Has worked and paid Bituach Leumi contributions from their salary for at least 12 out of the 18 months prior to stopping work
Note

Periods of paid leave – such as maternity pay, sick leave, bed rest and days of mourning – are counted toward the 12-month requirement. Approved unpaid leave may extend the 18-month window, e.g. if one took extended unpaid maternity leave.

Quitting
If an individual quits a job without a legitimate reason, they will only begin receiving unemployment benefits 90 days after stopping work. Legitimate reasons for quitting include:

  • A decline in one’s own health or that of a family member
  • Significant deterioration in working conditions
  • Relocating far from the workplace (over 60 km away, or 40 km for mothers of children under 7)

Those who quit will be required to present documentation proving their reason to avoid a delay in payments.

Period & Rate of Eligibility
The maximum duration of one’s unemployment status ranges from 138 to 175 days, depending on one’s age and number of dependents (i.e. spouse and children). Bituach Leumi has a maximum monthly payment cap. If one’s calculated allotment exceeds this amount, payments will be issued in smaller increments over a longer period of time.

Refusing a job offer from Lishkat Hataasukah results in a loss of 30 days of benefits.

The payment rate is based on:

(a) one’s age

(b) the average income from the six full months of employment prior to the first report to Lishkat Hataasukah

Generally, the lower one’s income and the older they are, the higher the percentage of salary they will receive.

How To Apply for Unemployment

Step One: Register at Lishkat Hataasukah
One must report to Lishkat Hataasukah immediately after stopping work. It is crucial that this be done immediately.

Teudat zehut holders can register online via the Taasukah website , and must appear in person within 14 days.  

Visa holders must go down in person to register.

If someone quit their job without a legitimate reason, reporting at Lishkat Hataasukah is not as urgent, but should still be done as soon as possible.

Required Documents:

  1. Teudat zehut or foreign passport with valid visa
  2. Proof of job loss, or documentation supporting a legitimate reason for quitting, or a signed letter declaring one quit without a legitimate reason
  3. Any professional certifications (optional)

Upon registration, the applicant will be marked as unemployed from the date they first appear. Fingerprints will be taken, and a form will be issued to be submitted to Bituach Leumi. The applicant will be assigned a weekly time slot for signing in at the machine located on the left side of the entrance. Sign-in requires either a mispar zehut or Bituach Leumi number. Weekly sign-ins are mandatory to maintain eligibility and receive monthly payments. 

Note

Pregnant women from the 20th week and individuals over 50 years of age are only required to sign in once per month.

Lishkat Hataasukah will begin offering relevant job interviews during the eligibility period.

If one is unable to sign in due to illness, a doctor’s note must be brought to the next sign-in and shown to a clerk. If one will be away on vacation, this must be coordinated with a clerk in advance. 

Note

In certain cases, missed sign-ins are not permitted. In others, Lishkat Hataasukah may extend the eligibility period and issue payments at a later date.

Step Two: File Unemployment Status with Bituach Leumi
Submit the following documents to Bituach Leumi by fax, online upload at btl.gov.il or via one’s personal online Bituach Leumi account. Teudat zehut holders may also use this online form. 

Required Documents:

  1. Form BL1500 (unemployment claim form) – not required when using the online form
  2. Proof of earnings: letter(s) from previous employer(s) or tlushim covering 12 out of the past 18 months, including the last 6 months. If one still holds a second job, present tlushim from that job, as well (see Partial Unemployment below)
  3. Proof of cessation of work: letter from employer, including the reason one was let go, the date they stopped working, the employer’s signature and his stamp; or, in the case of quitting for a legitimate reason, proof of that reason
  4. Certifications from the tax authorities regarding exemptions or discounts (if applicable)
  5. Bank account details
  6. For those without a teudat zehut: proof of bank account ownership (e.g. void check or ishur nihul cheshbon)

Once processed, payments are usually issued around the 12th of each month. Payments are conditional on weekly sign-ins at Lishkat Hataasukah.

Note

Claims must be submitted to Bituach Leumi within 12 months of ceasing work. 

Avtalah Chelkit (Partial Unemployment)

Partial unemployment (avtalah chelkit) applies to individuals who have lost one of multiple jobs. After registering at Lishkat Hataasukah, one must apply for avtalah chelkit with Bituach Leumi, submitting tlushim from both the job lost and any current employment.

To maintain eligibility:

  • Sign in weekly at Lishkat Hataasukah
  • Submit a monthly tlush from the remaining job(s) to Bituach Leumi (via fax, online upload or personal account)

Bituach Leumi calculates partial unemployment based on ongoing income.

Chalat (Unpaid Leave)

The term chalat– an acronym for chofesh l’lo tashlum (unpaid leave)—became common during the COVID-19 crisis. It refers to an employee being sent on unpaid leave for an indefinite time. Those on chalat may apply for unemployment, even if they expect to return to work in the future.

Note

Some schools issue one-year contracts, leaving teachers unemployed during summer months.  Contact Chaim V’Chessed for guidance on unemployment eligibility during this period. 

Workplace Injury

If one is unable to work due to a job-related injury (including while commuting or while performing work-related tasks), they may be eligible for teunat avodah (workplace injury) benefits. While this process is longer and requires medical documentation, it may offer greater financial support than standard unemployment benefits.

Common Unemployment Terms

  • Avtalah – unemployment
  • Avtalah chelkit – partial unemployment
  • Chalat – unpaid vacation
  • Chofesh – vacation
  • Dmei avtalah – unemployment pay
  • Hityatzvut – appearing weekly at Lishkat Hataasukah
  • Teunat avodah – workplace injury
  • Tlush (pl. tlushim) – official pay stub(s)