National Insurance Institute Expands Benefits: What Recipients Need to Know
Beyond monthly payments, National Insurance Institute beneficiaries may be eligible for a wide range of discounts on electricity, municipal taxes, public transport, water, and medical services. Here is a guide to the key benefits and how to claim them.
Many recipients of benefits from the National Insurance Institute (Bituah Leumi) focus primarily on the amount of their monthly payment, but in practice, they may also be eligible for a wide range of discounts and benefits worth thousands of shekels per year. These rights are granted through government ministries, local authorities, state-owned companies, and public bodies. In some cases, these benefits are applied automatically, while in others, a specific application must be submitted to the relevant authority.
The National Insurance Institute transfers lists of eligible individuals to various agencies, but emphasizes that the responsibility for implementing these benefits lies with each individual body. Therefore, anyone who believes they are entitled to a benefit that is not being provided should contact the providing agency directly.
Public Transport: Up to 50% Discount and Free Travel
One of the most significant benefits is in public transport. Recipients of disability benefits, work injury benefits, victims of hostile actions, and survivor benefit recipients are entitled to a 50% discount on fares after updating their eligibility profile on their Rav-Kav card or payment applications.
Women aged 62–67 are also eligible for this discount, while Israeli citizens aged 67 and over are entitled to full exemption from public transport fares after updating their "Zahav-Kav" profile.
Electricity Bill: 50% Discount for Eligible Groups
Several groups of benefit recipients may enjoy a 50% discount on the first 400 kWh of their monthly electricity bill. Eligible individuals include income support recipients, parents of children receiving disabled child benefits, long-term care benefit recipients at certain levels, alimony recipients, and victims of hostile actions.
In most cases, the discount is applied automatically, provided the electricity bill is registered in the name of the eligible person and is under a residential tariff.
Arnona (Municipal Tax), Water, and Tax Relief
Alongside electricity discounts, many eligible individuals can enjoy reductions on Arnona (municipal tax), with the rate determined by the local authority according to its specific eligibility rules.
Additionally, various groups receive an allowance of up to 3.5 cubic meters of water per month at a reduced rate. In many cases, this benefit is granted automatically after the National Insurance Institute transfers the relevant data to the Water Authority.
In the tax sector, there are additional benefits, including an income grant (negative income tax) for employees meeting income criteria, income tax exemptions in cases provided by law, two tax credit points for parents in specific situations, and purchase tax discounts for eligible individuals.
Housing, Health, and Rehabilitation
Recipients of various benefits may be eligible for rent assistance or public housing through the Ministry of Construction and Housing, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
In the health sector, there are additional rights, including dental treatments within the health basket for senior citizens aged 72 and over, exemption from co-payments for certain medical services for disability benefit recipients, and assistance in financing rehabilitation and mobility devices.
Dedicated Benefits for Families and Victims of Hostile Actions
Parents of children receiving disabled child benefits may be eligible for funding for an educational assistant, a disabled parking badge, welfare programs, tax relief, and exemption from certain fees.
Income support recipients may be eligible for discounts at daycare centers, vocational training assistance, and a 50% discount on the fixed monthly fee for Bezeq services.
Recipients of long-term care benefits, alimony recipients, and victims of hostile actions also enjoy a variety of dedicated rights, including housing assistance, discounts on Arnona, electricity, and water, disabled parking badges, and various banking and real estate benefits.
The National Insurance Institute reminds the public that not all benefits are automatic. While some are processed directly based on data transfers, others require a proactive approach and the submission of an application. It is highly recommended that all benefit recipients check what rights are available to them to ensure they are fully utilizing their entitlements.
