National Insurance Allows Unemployment Benefits During 26th Knesset Elections

The National Insurance Institute announced that individuals receiving unemployment benefits can work during the upcoming elections for the 26th Knesset and continue collecting their benefits, provided they meet four specific conditions.

Conditions for Election Work

The arrangement allows beneficiaries to take on election-related work without their wages impacting their benefits. According to the National Insurance Institute, the four conditions are:

• The work must be carried out within the framework of the elections for the 26th Knesset.

• The employment must take place strictly between September 12, 2026, and November 10, 2026.

• The salary must be paid directly by a candidate, a political party, or the Central Elections Committee. Payments via temporary employment agencies may affect benefits.

• Total earnings must not exceed 19,600 NIS across the entire election period, which is a cumulative cap rather than a monthly limit.

Employers are required to report wages automatically to the National Insurance Institute, meaning beneficiaries do not need to submit separate individual requests as long as all criteria are met.

General Unemployment Benefit Rules

Alongside the special election framework, the National Insurance Institute reminded the public of the standard eligibility criteria for unemployment benefits. Claimants must meet five main conditions:

1. Residency in Israel or appropriate temporary residency.

2. Age between 20 and 67.

3. Cessation of employment.

4. Regular attendance at the Employment Service.

5. Accumulation of a qualifying period of at least 12 months of salaried work out of the 18 months preceding the initial registration.

Beneficiaries are encouraged to register promptly with the Employment Service and utilize online portals to submit claims while tracking their status.