Israeli Unemployment Benefits Navigator

Israeli Unemployment Benefits Navigator

Problem

Every year, tens of thousands of Israelis lose their job or are placed on unpaid leave (חל"ת) and leave avtala money on the table because the rules are dense, the qualifying period is easy to miscount, and the Bituach Leumi website buries the progressive benefit formula under links. Resigning without knowing about the 90-day waiting period, registering late at Sherut HaTaasuka, or forgetting that only 12 salaried months out of the last 18 qualify, all cost real shekels. A separate set of users miss out on stackable benefits (hashlamat hachnasa for low earners, vocational training stipends, the 2026 שאגת הארי emergency 6-of-18 track) because nobody told them. This skill gives a clear "Am I eligible? How much will I get? What do I do first?" answer in one pass, with a personalized application checklist the user can execute the same day.

> All ₪ amounts in this skill are 2026 figures (effective 01.01.2026) and are linked to inflation. They re-link in January 2027. Always cross-check against btl.gov.il/benefits/Unemployment/Pages/hisuv.aspx for the current year before quoting numbers to a user.

Instructions

Step 1: Collect User Inputs

| Input | Required | Used for | |-------|----------|----------| | Reason employment ended | Yes | Fired / laid off / made redundant / resigned / chal"t. Determines the 90-day waiting period | | Last day of work | Yes | Starts the 3-month registration clock and anchors the 18-month lookback | | Age in years | Yes | Determines max benefit days and the under-28 vs 28+ benefit rate tier | | Number of people you support (spouse + children) | Yes | Determines max benefit days bracket | | Average monthly gross salary over the last 6 months | Yes | Drives benefit amount via the progressive tier formula | | Number of months worked as an employee in the last 18 | Yes | Verifies tkufat akhshara (12 standard, 6 if on chal"t during Shaagat HaArie defining period) | | Israeli resident? | Yes | Non-residents are ineligible | | Already registered at Sherut HaTaasuka? | Yes | If not, this is the first action | | Gender and exact date of birth | If aged 57 to 67 | Women born 1960 or later get a special 300-day track | | On chal"t between 28 Feb 2026 and 14 May 2026? | Yes if chal"t | Triggers the Shaagat HaArie emergency track (see Special Cases) | | Worked abroad in the last 18 months in a treaty country (US, UK, EU, CA)? | Yes if relevant | Foreign months may count via bilateral social-security treaty (form בל/627) | | Currently receiving any other Bituach Leumi benefit (nechut, leda, hashlamat hachnasa)? | Yes | Some benefits cannot stack; some can supplement |

Step 2: Check Eligibility (tkufat akhshara)

Run the eligibility gate in this order. Stop at the first failure and tell the user exactly which rule blocks them.

| Gate | Rule | Fail action | |------|------|-------------| | Residency | Must be an Israeli resident | Explain that non-residents and most foreign workers cannot claim dmei avtala | | Age | Between 20 and 67 | Below 20: not eligible. Above 67: explain kiztavat zikna instead | | Qualifying period (standard) | At least 12 months of work as a salaried employee (shakhir) in the last 18 months | Explain that osek months do not count, that even one day in a month counts as a full month | | Qualifying period (Shaagat HaArie chal"t) | At least 6 months of salaried work in the last 18 months IF the chal"t falls inside the 28 Feb to 14 May 2026 defining period | Use the emergency track; see Special Cases | | Registration window | Must register at Sherut HaTaasuka within 3 months of the last day of work | If outside window, eligibility may still exist but the 18-month lookback starts from registration; force-majeure waivers (hekel mizvad) exist for hospitalization, miluim, or being abroad for emergency | | In-person follow-up | After online registration at taasuka.gov.il, attend the local branch in person within 14 days | Missing the in-person visit voids the registration |

Under Israeli law, a month with even a single day of salaried work counts as a full qualifying month. Mandatory IDF service, paid parental leave (dmei leda), miluim days, and paid sick leave from the employer all count toward the qualifying period. Osek (self-employed) months do NOT count toward standard akhshara, even if Bituach Leumi was paid.

Self-employed to salaried trap. A frequent rejection: someone closes their osek murshe, becomes a shakhir for 7 to 10 months, then gets fired. They have under 12 qualifying months and are denied. If a user lists recent osek months, count only the salaried months in the 18-month window; if it is under 12, advise waiting until they reach 12 (one extra month of salaried work can flip eligibility).

Step 3: Check Waiting Period (reason for termination)

| Reason | Waiting period | Notes | |--------|---------------|-------| | Fired / laid off (pituin) | None | Full entitlement from day 1 | | Made redundant | None | Same as fired | | Employer bankrupt | None | Employee can claim both unpaid wages from Bituach Leumi and dmei avtala | | Chal"t (unpaid leave) 30+ days, standard | None | Standard chalat rules | | Chal"t during Shaagat HaArie defining period (bifurcated rule, effective 5.5.2026) | None | Emergency track, paid from day 1; no need to exhaust vacation first. Minimum: 5 consecutive days ONLY if chal"t started 28.2.2026 or 1.3.2026; 10 consecutive days if chal"t started later. See Special Cases. | | Resignation without justified cause | 90 days | The 90-day clock runs from the registration date, not the last day of work. Calendar days, not work days. The wait delays the start; it does NOT reduce total max days | | Resignation with justified cause (hitpatrut b'din mefuteret) | None | Must prove grounds. Bituach Leumi decides | | Refused a suitable job offer from Sherut HaTaasuka | 90 days waiting + 30 days deducted from max-day total | Two separate penalties: a 90-day delay AND a permanent 30-day reduction in entitlement |

What "suitable" means (post-2024 BL clarification): salary within 25% of prior wage, commute under 60 minutes (or remote-eligible), profession within one degree of prior role. After day 60 of unemployment, the suitability test relaxes (claimants are expected to broaden their search).

Severance pay (pitzuei piturin) interaction. Legal pitzuim do NOT delay or reduce avtala. Adam meritzon (severance beyond the legal floor, e.g., generous "golden parachute") CAN postpone the start by the equivalent number of months under National Insurance Law s. 174 ("tashlumei avoda"). Ask the user if they received any payment beyond the standard pitzuim formula.

Justified-cause resignation grounds (skip the 90-day wait): documented health deterioration (must be from a rofeh tasukati / occupational physician, not a regular GP), 25%+ unilateral cut in pay over a 6-month window (excluding voluntary bonus reductions), forced relocation, sexual harassment with documented complaint (Tikkun 232 of 2023 shifted some burden of proof onto BL for harassment and wage-delay cases), spouse's job moves to another city, marriage relocation, return from leda when employer refuses to restore the role.

Step 4: Calculate Maximum Benefit Days

Use the age + dependents table. "Dependents" = spouse + children the user supports. A working spouse earning above ~½ the average wage may not count as a tlui (BL evaluates per case).

| Age at start of unemployment | Dependents | Max days | |------------------------------|-----------|----------| | 20-25 | 0, 1, or 2 | 50 | | 20-25 | 3 or more | 138 | | 25-28 | 0, 1, or 2 | 67 | | 25-28 | 3 or more | 138 | | 28-35 | 0, 1, or 2 | 100 | | 28-35 | 3 or more | 138 | | 35-45 | 0, 1, or 2 | 138 | | 35-45 | 3 or more | 175 | | 45-67 | Any | 175 | | Women 57-67 born 1960 or later | Any | 300 (special track, 18-month window) |

The maximum days must be used within 12 months from the 1st of the registration month. The special women's track uses 18 months instead of 12.

Step 5: Calculate Daily Benefit Amount

The daily benefit is based on the user's average daily wage over the last 6 full months of work.

Step 5a: Average daily wage

average_daily_wage = (gross salary over last 6 months) / 150

(The divisor is 150, not 180, because Bituach Leumi assumes 25 working days per month * 6 months.)

Step 5b: Apply the progressive formula for 2026

Under 28 years old:

| Daily wage bracket | Rate | |-------------------|------| | Up to ₪207.50 | 60% | | ₪207.50 to ₪311 | 40% on the portion above ₪207.50 | | ₪311 to ₪415 | 35% on the portion above ₪311 | | ₪415 to daily ceiling | 25% on the portion above ₪415 |

Aged 28 and over:

| Daily wage bracket | Rate | |-------------------|------| | Up to ₪207.50 | 80% | | ₪207.50 to ₪311 | 50% on the portion above ₪207.50 | | ₪311 to ₪415 | 45% on the portion above ₪311 | | ₪415 to daily ceiling | 30% on the portion above ₪415 |

Sum each bracket contribution to get the gross daily benefit.

Step 5c: Apply the 2026 daily ceilings

• First 125 days of unemployment: maximum ₪550.76 per day
• Days 126-175: maximum ₪367.17 per day
• Days 176+ (women's 300-day track only, ages 57-67 born 1960+): maximum ₪201.03 per day
• Cap whatever the formula produces to these ceilings

For long entitlements (138, 175, 300 days), the average daily benefit drops once the user crosses day 125. Do not multiply the day-1 rate by total max days; project the front portion at the higher ceiling and the tail at the lower ceiling.

Step 5d: Payment cadence (5-weeks-per-month quirk)

Bituach Leumi pays per "reporting weeks" (chodesh dmei avtala = 4 or 5 weeks depending on Sundays in the month), not per calendar month. Roughly four months a year contain a 5-week BL month, producing about 31 paid days. When projecting cash flow for the user, label the figure "approximate monthly" and show daily * 25 as a baseline only.

Step 5e: Deductions

The gross benefit is taxed like income:

• Income tax at the user's marginal rate (often near 0% for low-wage earners after credits/zikui)
• Bituach Leumi: fixed ₪48 per month as of 2026 (effective 01.01.2026; kolzchut.org.il still displays the older ₪32 figure, btl.gov.il is authoritative)
• Mas briut (health tax)

The net amount the user actually receives is the gross benefit minus these deductions. Rule of thumb: low-income claimants net close to 100%, mid-income about 85-90%, high-income (hitting ceilings) about 80-85%. Do not promise the user the gross number as take-home.

Worked example (28+ earner making ₪15,000/month gross):

6-month gross total: 15000 * 6 = 90,000
average_daily_wage: 90000 / 150 = 600

Bracket 1 (up to 207.50): 207.50 * 80% = 166.00
Bracket 2 (207.50 to 311): (311 - 207.50) * 50% = 51.75
Bracket 3 (311 to 415): (415 - 311) * 45% = 46.80
Bracket 4 (415 to 600): (600 - 415) * 30% = 55.50
daily_gross: 166.00 + 51.75 + 46.80 + 55.50 = 320.05

Ceiling check: 320.05 < 550.76 (ok for first 125 days)
Approx monthly gross (25 working days): 320.05 * 25 = 8,001.25
Net (after BL 48, health, marginal tax): typically ~85-90% of gross

Step 6: Generate the Application Checklist

Give the user a personalized, ordered checklist. Each step references a real form or portal.

1. Register online at Sherut HaTaasuka
   URL: https://www.taasuka.gov.il
   - Required within 3 months of last workday
   - Bring: teudat zehut, last 3 payslips, termination letter

2. Visit your local Sherut HaTaasuka branch in person within 14 days
   - The online registration is not valid without this in-person follow-up
   - Bring: original teudat zehut, sefach, all docs from step 1
   - Output: dorsh avoda status, scheduled reporting days

3. File the Bituach Leumi unemployment claim
   URL: https://www.btl.gov.il
   - Unified online form through gov.il national ID login
   - Required: bank details, termination letter, 6 most recent payslips, FORM 126 (annual employer summary, NOT the monthly Form 100), completed Form 1514 from employer
   - If the employer refuses to fill Form 1514: under BL חוזר אבטלה 1342, a tatzhir + 3 payslips + bank statements showing wage transfers can substitute

4. Attend scheduled reporting (harshama) at Sherut HaTaasuka
   - Attend every scheduled meeting or face suspension
   - Apply to the required number of jobs per reporting period
   - Accept "suitable" offers under the 25%/60-min/profession test (relaxes after day 60)

5. Monitor the Bituach Leumi decision
   - First payment typically lands 30-45 days after registration
   - Check decision letter for any denial grounds

6. If denied or underpaid, file an appeal (irur)
   - Step A (informal): write to your local BL branch va'adat tvi'ot within 6 months of the decision, attach new evidence
   - Step B (formal): file at Beit Din Ezorit L'Avoda within 12 months of the original decision
   - If appealing a Va'adat Ararim ruling specifically, the deadline drops to 60 days
   - Free legal aid: Hasneguria HaMishpatit (Public Defender) for low-income claimants

Step 7: Flag Common Denial Risks

Warn the user if any of these apply to their case:

| Risk | What Bituach Leumi will do | How to avoid | |------|---------------------------|--------------| | Resigned without justified cause | 90-day waiting period | Document any justified grounds and provide evidence | | Refused a suitable job from Sherut HaTaasuka | 90-day wait + 30-day deduction from max days | Do not refuse offers that match the 25%/60-min/profession test | | Did not register within 3 months | Lookback shifts, may lose qualifying months | Register immediately. If late due to hospitalization, miluim, or emergency travel, request a hekel mizvad waiver in writing | | Missed scheduled reporting | Benefits suspended for the period | Always attend or reschedule in advance | | Self-employed (osek) during last 18 months | Freelance months do not count toward standard akhshara | Need 12 salaried months specifically (or 6 under Shaagat HaArie chal"t track). One more salaried month may flip eligibility | | Worked for a family member | Benefits denied unless arms-length employment is proven | Need all 5: payslips dated 12+ months pre-dispute, bank-transfer trail (no cash), third-party witness to actual work, dated employment contract, employer paid tax+BL+pension on time. BL חוזר 1287 | | Employer refuses to fill Form 1514 | Claim stalls | Substitute with tatzhir + 3 payslips + bank statements (חוזר 1342) | | Working part-time during unemployment | Benefit reduced (~75% of part-time gross is deducted from that month's avtala) | Report all income. Below the BL kotzbat patur (small-earnings exemption), reduction may not apply, verify thresholds | | Worked abroad in last 18 months, returned to Israel | Fails standard akhshara | If country has bilateral SS treaty (US, UK, EU, CA, CH, others), submit form בל/627 to count foreign months |

Special Cases

Shaagat HaArie 2026 Emergency Chal"t Regime

Codified in חוק התוכנית לסיוע כלכלי (הוראת שעה) (תעסוקה), התשפ"ו-2026, which passed second and third readings on 4.5.2026 and was published in ספר החוקים 3525. Its companion business-side law (חוק התוכנית לסיוע כלכלי (הוראת שעה) (סיוע לעסקים ולמוסדות ציבור), התשפ"ו-2026) covers business compensation and the 20% employer reservist refund. Applies if the user is on chal"t between 28 Feb 2026 and 14 Apr 2026 (extendable by joint Finance and Labor minister order to 14 May 2026).

| Standard track | Shaagat HaArie chal"t track | |----------------|-----------------------------| | 12 months akhshara out of 18 | 6 months out of 18 | | Min 30-day chal"t to qualify | Bifurcated minimum (effective 5.5.2026): 5 consecutive days ONLY for chal"t starting 28.2.2026 or 1.3.2026 (first 2 war days); 10 consecutive days for chal"t starting later. The 5-day cohort's first payments only landed June 2026 because of the late amendment, so flag the timing to t

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Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: skills-il
• Source: skills-il/government-services
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.