National Insurance Institute: Pregnancy Bed Rest Benefit Up to 10,865 Shekels

Women forced to stop working during pregnancy due to health conditions or working conditions may be entitled to a benefit from the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) to compensate for lost wages. The benefit can reach up to 350.47 shekels per day, totaling 10,865 shekels for a 31-day period. However, eligibility and the final amount depend on specific conditions set by the institute.

Eligibility Criteria

The benefit is paid to working women who must be absent from work due to a pregnancy-related medical risk to themselves or the fetus, or because their specific work environment poses a risk and no suitable alternative role is available at their workplace.

To qualify, a woman must be an Israeli resident and an employee or self-employed individual who has paid National Insurance premiums for at least 6 out of the 14 months preceding the date she stopped working.

Medical and Professional Review

Claims and medical documentation are reviewed by a specialist gynecologist appointed by the National Insurance Institute. If the medical justification or the risk associated with the job is not deemed sufficient, the claim may be denied.

The initial period of pregnancy bed rest must be at least 30 consecutive days. Any subsequent period required during the same pregnancy must last at least 14 consecutive days.

Calculation of Benefits

Benefit amounts are not uniform. The daily rate is determined by the higher of two calculations: the salary from the 3 full months preceding the cessation of work divided by 90, or the salary from the 6 full months preceding the cessation divided by 180. The benefit is capped at 350.47 shekels per day.

For self-employed individuals, the calculation is initially based on advance payments made to the National Insurance Institute, subject to later adjustment based on tax assessments.

Application and Important Notes

Applications must be submitted within 12 months of starting bed rest. Required documents include a medical certificate from an obstetrician/gynecologist, a pregnancy tracking card, and, if applicable, a letter from the employer confirming that no alternative work could be found.

Key considerations:

1. You cannot simultaneously receive sick pay from an employer and the pregnancy bed rest benefit from the National Insurance Institute.

2. Traveling abroad negates eligibility if the bed rest was approved for medical reasons, but not if it was approved due to the nature of the work.

3. If bed rest continues until the birth, the transition to maternity allowance is handled automatically once the hospital reports the birth to the National Insurance Institute.