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Understanding Unemployment Benefits in Israel

If you are living in Israel, then you know it is not an easy country to live in. Unfortunately, while living here, you may end up unemployed some day – so understanding the unemployment benefits in Israel may become a necessity for you.

That said, let’s dive in and learn about the steps involved in receiving unemployment benefits in Israel.

Firstly, what are “unemployment benefits”?

Unemployment benefits provide temporary financial support to individuals who are currently out of work and actively seeking employment.

Understanding how to access these benefits can be helpful during challenging times.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for unemployment benefits in Israel, there are a few criteria to consider. 

Firstly, you must be an Israeli citizen or hold a valid work permit.

Secondly, you should have worked and contributed to the National Insurance Institute (read more here – https://www.btl.gov.il/Pages/default.aspx) for a specific period of time.

Lastly, you must be actively seeking employment and available for work.

Meeting these criteria is a must to qualify for unemployment benefits in Israel.

Registering with the National Insurance Institute

To start the process, you need to register with the National Insurance Institute (learn more here – https://www.btl.gov.il/English%20Homepage/Benefits/Unemployment%20Insurance/Pages/default.aspx) in Israel.

You can do this by visiting your local NII branch or applying online through their official website here – https://www.btl.gov.il/English%20Homepage/Benefits/Unemployment%20Insurance/Pages/default.aspx.

Very Important:

Provide accurate personal information, employment history, and any relevant supporting documents.

Only then, Bituach Leumi (the name for the National Insurance Institution in Hebrew) will review your application and determine your eligibility for unemployment benefits.

Hopefully, you will be approved to receive unemployment money from the Israeli government.

Hopefully.

Benefit Calculations/Payments

Unemployment benefits in Israel are calculated based on your average salary over the previous 12 months.

The amount is typically a percentage of your average salary, subject to a maximum limit set by the government.

The payment is made monthly, and money will be directly deposited from the Israeli government into your bank account.

Job Seeker Requirements

There is a timeline set on how long you will receive unemployment money.

Moreover, while receiving unemployment benefits, you are expected to actively search for employment

You can learn more about this here – https://www.taasuka.gov.il/he (use Google Translate!)

It is crucial to document your job search activities and maintain a record of your efforts. By actively engaging in the job search process, you increase your chances of finding suitable employment and transitioning out of unemployment.

In Conclusion…

Basically, obtaining unemployment benefits in Israel requires meeting eligibility requirements, registering with the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi), and actively job hunting. 

So prepare your paperwork, read online at the website links I shared above, and use Google Translate to learn more.

You see, I still remember the day I arrived in Israel… I had NO JOB, NO FRIENDS, and NO MONEY.

And it took me several years of living in Israel before I found a decent-paying job at a tech company.

I was working for this company, and was promoted to a leadership position when I had a powerful self-realization:

The purpose of my life, is helping other people get what they want from life. 

I looked back into my past and understood that I was always asked to be a leader + trainer + teacher… and I absolutely loved doing it!

Therefore, with my 15+ years of experience in the field of sales and customer service I decided to open a sales training company.

I never thought that I would open my own business in Israel… but I did!

I decided to name my sales training company Sales Development Israel.

Then, I began to use all of my spare time before work and after work creating training materials, and trying to acquire clients.

In addition, I was sending emails and cold calling companies in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Ramat Gan, Jerusalem, Bat Yam, and Holon.

Basically, I was reaching out across the whole country of Israel in my efforts.

Great news – I was able to find my first few clients! 

Something I immediately noticed was at the conclusion of my sales training workshops, two things would happen consistently happen: 

Firstly, I would receive feedback that my sales training workshops were providing massive value for the sales team.

Secondly, one or two of the students in the courses would privately approach me.

These students would speak with me about their struggles not only in sales, but also in their lives.

Then one time, a female student offered to pay me for a one-on-one session outside of the office.

She asked me to help her learn how to communicate more effectively, and to help her figure out a better career path.

Another student, approached me and offered to pay me for my time to help prepare him for a job interview.

Similarly, another student from another workshop, at another company, asked me to help them build their self-confidence.

And this would happen again and again and again…

Each of these wonderful people I began to work one-on-one with,  had their own unique challenge, and asked me for help.

Each time we developed a plan, strategized, and executed.

These first clients would call me their “Life Coach” or “Career Counselor“, and I am proud to say that I was able to help them.

At the conclusion of our one-on-one sessions, they each had taken took massive steps forward towards the results they wanted!

Eventually, enough people called me their Career Counselor or Life Coach that I began to call myself a “Career Counselor” and ”Life Coach”.

Most people set out to become a trained and certified life coach (קואצ’ר , אימון אישי) or career counselor before ever having a client… that is not my story.

I never once said to myself that I wanted to be a life coach (אימון אישי לחיים) or a career counselor.

This interesting and fulfilling profession came to me… literally.

So that is the short story of how I began life coaching (תל אביב קואצ’ינג לחיים) and career counseling in Tel Aviv Israel.

And after all these years, I’m happy to say I have helped hundreds and hundreds of people from around the world achieve their goals!

Let’s schedule a time for us to speak…

Here is a list of articles (below) about what it is actually, really like living in Israel!

And here is a list of articles (below) that will definitely help you if you are planning to move to Israel!

Here is a list (below) of articles on how to find a job in Israel that will really, really help you!