Food vouchers from Misrad Hapnim

To combat food insecurity in Israel, Misrad Hapnim is distributing hundreds of thousands of shekels worth of food vouchers right now (February 2025). Many people have been automatically admitted to the program through their revacha services, but some eligible people may not be on the list.

If you think you might be eligible but aren't on a list to receive it, check out the Eligibility Simulator at https://govforms.gov.il/mw/forms/PopulationWithOutMunicipalityGalilArea@MOIN.gov.il 

After checking the simulator, clicking on the "Next Stage" button will take you to the "Submit Request" page. If you don't want to submit a request, don't click Next. If you do want to submit a request, be sure you have the required documentation available (a scan of your Teudat Zehut, including the "sefach", and income documentation).

Hope this helps someone out there get extra help when they need it! Feel free to share this post with anyone who might find it helpful!

If you need more financial assistance, you may find these posts helpful:
Click here to see posts labeled "financial assistance": https://www.kosherfrugal.com/search/label/financial%20assistance

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If you want to find (and share!) shopping deals, please join my deals groups on Facebook: 

Kosher Frugal

Israeli Shopping Overseas 

Live in Israel, Shop Online 

Israel Deals Made Easy (in English) 

I'm also on WhatsApp with an opt-in group where you'll get links to deals I find. Only admins can post.

Do you have to file Israeli taxes? FREE help is available!

Every year, many of us have to file a yearly tax report with the Israel Tax Authority.

Many, many people pay an accountant to handle this report, but did you know that in some cases you can also get FREE help?

Here's the deal:

The Israel Tax Authority runs Free Clinics for Atzma'im with income from self employment up to 60,000 NIS using Form 137, and other people who need to file a tax report using Form 1301.

Find this help HERE:

sorry about the low quality snapshot!

Every Regional Tax Office (except Eilat and Tel Aviv - details below), between May 12, 2019 and July 4, 2019, Sunday - Thursday from 1pm - 6:30pm. Some offices may be closed on certain days of the week. I recommend calling before you go to verify they are open!

In Eilat, the clinic will be available only on Mondays and Wednesdays.

In Tel Aviv, there is a special Resource Center dedicated just to this service, and it will remain open until August 8, 2019. Find it at Rechov Shefa Tal 12, Tel Aviv.

Good luck, and don't wait to do your taxes! Better just to get it done with, right?

If you're struggling to stay on top of life because you're not yet earning enough money, be sure to check out my Financial Assistance Series, and see if you may qualify for help you didn't know about!

Free Resources for Small Business Owners in Israel

We all know it can be a real challenge to go solo and open a business, and olim especially can use all the helping hands we can get! 

Today, I'd like to highlight a few of the resources I know about that small business owners can use to hopefully get ahead.

I hope you find this list helpful!

-- Bank Leumi offers small business management courses in the following locations: Ra'anana, Ramat Aviv, Ashdod, Lod, and Afula. The course is 7 sessions, and is free of charge.
Sign up HERE

They also offer some digital classes (video series) - you can check it out HERE.

These classes are specifically for Israel, so may address some of the unique challenges small businesses in Israel may encounter.

-- The Israel Tax Authority runs Free Clinics for Atzma'im with income from self employment up to 60,000 NIS using Form 137, and other people who need to file a tax report using Form 1301

Find this help HERE:

Every Regional Tax Office (except Eilat and Tel Aviv - details below), between April 22, 2018 and June 14, 2018, Sunday - Thursday from 1pm - 6:30pm. Some offices may be closed on certain days of the week (Teverya is closed on Tuesdays, for example). I recommend calling before you go to verify they are open!

In Eilat, the clinic will be available only on Mondays and Wednesdays.

In Tel Aviv, there is a special Resource Center dedicated just to this service, and it will remain open until July 19, 2018. Find it at Rechov Shefa Tal 12, Tel Aviv.

-- The Jewish Agency (a.k.a. "The Sochnut") has Loan Funds for entrepreneurs if you meet certain criteria. [More Info]

-- Benefits for Small and Medium Business Owners, offered by the Ministry of the Economy - on the BIZנס site

-- Online (Video-based) Courses offered by the Israel Employment Services - for free! The videos are in Hebrew, and are actually a great way to improve your business Hebrew at the same time as learning something new!

-- If your business can travel, you need to know about the fairs at which you can set up shop! Find all the fairs here!

Please let me know if you know of other great resources - I'd be happy to expand this list!

If you're struggling to stay on top of life because you're not yet earning enough money, be sure to check out my Financial Assistance Series, and see if you may qualify for help you didn't know about!

Do you have to file Israeli taxes? FREE help is available!

Every year, many of us have to file a yearly tax report with the Israel Tax Authority.

Many, many people pay an accountant to handle this report, but did you know that in some cases you can also get FREE help?

Here's the deal:

The Israel Tax Authority runs Free Clinics for Atzma'im with income from self employment up to 60,000 NIS using Form 137, and other people who need to file a tax report using Form 1301

Find this help HERE:

Every Regional Tax Office (except Eilat and Tel Aviv - details below), between April 22, 2018 and June 14, 2018, Sunday - Thursday from 1pm - 6:30pm. Some offices may be closed on certain days of the week (Teverya is closed on Tuesdays, for example). I recommend calling before you go to verify they are open!

In Eilat, the clinic will be available only on Mondays and Wednesdays.

In Tel Aviv, there is a special Resource Center dedicated just to this service, and it will remain open until July 19, 2018. Find it at Rechov Shefa Tal 12, Tel Aviv.

Good luck, and don't wait to do your taxes! Better just to get it done with, right?

If you're struggling to stay on top of life because you're not yet earning enough money, be sure to check out my Financial Assistance Series, and see if you may qualify for help you didn't know about!

Series: Financial Assistance in Israel (Part 5)

It's been a while since I worked on this series, but I realized there was a big piece I left out, so I wanted to fill you in today about it.

Be sure to check out the other installments in this series:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Today, I'm going to give you the basics of one that many people already know about, but some don't: Arnona Discounts.

Misrad Hapnim has some say in Arnona rates and discounts, and all the various discounts are listed on their website. You can see them here, in the original Hebrew.

There are a lot of different categories, including Holocaust survivors, People with Disabilities, Former Refuseniks, Righteous Gentiles, Senior Citizens, and more. Today I am going to focus on the "Low Income" category. (Family size/income levels/discount amount taken from Kol Zchut.)

Here's what you need to know:

You apply for the discount at your local municipal offices by filling out a form.

You will be asked to supply copies your tlushim (payslips) from the last several months. If you are atzmai, you will be asked to supply a certain amount of documentation.

In some cases the municipality will order a full financial audit before granting the discount.

In most cases, the discount applies to the arnona charges for the the first 100m - if your home is bigger than 100m you pay the full rate on the portion over 100m.

The table below will help you determine if you are eligible for an Arnona discount. Look for your family size, and determine whether your monthly income is in a discount-eligible bracket.

Family size       Monthly Income (up to this amount)            Discount amount

1                               2838                                          up to 80%
                                 2838 - 3263                               up to 60%
                                 3263 - 3689                               up to 40%

2                               4256                                          up to 80%
                                 4256 - 4895                               up to 60%
                                 4895 - 5533                               up to 40%

3                               4938                                           up to 80%
                                 4938 - 5678                                up to 60%
                                 5678 - 6419                                up to 40%

4                               5619                                           up to 80%
                                 5619 - 6462                                up to 60%
                                 6462 - 7304                                up to 40%

5                               6919                                           up to 80%
                                 6919 - 7957                                up to 60%
                                 7957 - 8994                                up to 40%

6                               8219                                           up to 80%
                                 8219 - 9451                                up to 60%
                                 9451 - 10,684                             up to 40%

7                               9519                                            up to 90%
                                 9519 - 10,946                              up to 70%
                                 10,946 - 12,374                           up to 50%

8                                10,818                                         up to 90%
                                  10,818 - 12,441                           up to 70%            
                                  12,441 - 14,064                           up to 50%

9                                12,118                                          up to 90%
                                  12,118 - 13,963                            up to 70%
                                  13,963 - 15,754                            up to 50%

10+                            up to 1346 per person                 up to 90%
                                  up to 1548 per person                 up to 70%
                                  up to 1750 per person                 up to 50%


I hope this information helps some people out there get the discount they deserve on their Arnona (municipal taxes)! And to those who hesitate to ask for this discount - please don't hesitate! Getting this discount will help you out, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about if you apply for it. Asking for this discount (that you deserve) does not make you less of a responsible person, it just means your income needs a boost, like so many others in this country. And this is one way the government gives you that boost. So go ahead and apply!


Please share this post with your English speaking friends in Israel, so as many people as possible who are eligible for these discounts can go apply for them!


And don't forget to find me on Facebook, so you never miss out on a money-saving post!

Series: Financial Assistance in Israel (Part 4)

The National Initiative for Nutrition Security is a program sponsored by "Eshel" that operates in 24 municipalities around the country.

The program provides assistance with food for low income families, as well as workshops about nutrition and finances.

The program provides EITHER a monthly box of food, containing approximately 75 kg of dry goods, OR a preloaded debit card (with 300-600 shekels/month) that can be used at a number of supermarkets. (I don't think you get a choice of benefits, different areas have different programs.)

This program serves the following areas: Yerucham, Rahat, Be'er Sheva, Kiryat Malachi, Netivot, Lachish, Dimona, Sderot, Tsfat, Kfar Manda, Ma'alot, Karmiel, Nahariya, Assafiya, Chatzor HaGlilit, Gilboa, Baka-Al-Garbiyya, Ariel, Ramle, Afula, Yavne, Migdal Ha'Emek, and Beitar Illit.

Your local social services office can help you get on the list if you qualify. For more information about the Eshel program, call 02-6501036.


I hope this information helps someone out there - so please share this with anyone who might find this helpful.

Be sure to check out the other installments in this series:
Part 1 

Part 2
Part 3
Part 5

Also, if you haven't yet familiarized yourself with the list of price controlled foods in Israel, please do so! I'm still waiting for them to switch out the white bread for whole wheat bread, and add basic produce items to the list...

Series: Financial Assistance in Israel (Part 3)

If you haven't yet seen the other parts of this series, please be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2.

Today I'm writing about Rental Assistance.


There are a number of criteria - and they are somewhat complicated - for eligibility. The only way to find out for sure if you are eligible is to check with one of the companies that works with the Ministry of Construction and Housing to determine eligibility. There may be a small fee to use their services, please be sure to ask when you schedule an appointment.

Some of the people who may qualify are (I am basing this off information obtained from the Ministry of Construction and Housing's website):

Elderly people whose only income is ‘Old Age Allowance’ and ‘Income Supplement’

Disabled people whose income is based upon on a 75% or more ‘Unfit for Employment’ Allowance – the level of assistance is determined by family composition: singles, couples, couples with children, or single parent families.

Disabled Holocaust Survivors with 49% disability and "damage Level" 1, 2, or 3

Disabled individuals who live on ‘Subsistence Allowances’ and have reached the status of ‘pensioners’.

Individuals who meet eligibility criteria and who receive ‘Child Support’ from NII.

Singles age 55+, couples, couples with children, common-law or single parent families whose income depends upon an ‘Assured Income Allowance’ (Havtachat Hachnasa) and began receiving assistance from June 2002 onwards. The level of assistance is determined according to both family composition and the type of benefits: normal/expanded, special or disability benefits.

Assistance Based Upon Income:
Families without Children:

Qualifying Income is between 4505 and 5631 shekels/month (Gross Income)

Families with Children:

Couple + child: Qualifying income is between 4954 and 6192 shekels per month (Gross)

Couple + two children or more: Qualifying income is between 6059 and 7574 shekels per month (Gross)

Single-parent family: Qualifying income is between 6284 and 7855 shekels per month (Gross)

The process of applying for assistance may not be easy, but if you have low income as listed above, it is worth it to go to one of the companies that helps with this (Amidar, Milgam, and Madar) and apply.

*Olim also receive an automatic rental subsidy as part of the Absorption Basket, but in some cases, they can receive additional income-based assistance.

If you know someone who will be helped by this article, please forward it to them!

Be sure to check out the other installments in this series:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 4
Part 5

Series: Financial Assistance in Israel (Part 2)

If you missed Part 1 in this series, please be sure to check it out!
 
"Ma'anak Avodah" Info (formerly Negative Income Tax)

NEW: You can now apply for the Maanak Avodah ONLINE. Currently, the online system is available only for people who have applied in the past. But this is a HUGE step forward! CLICK HERE to go to the online application

You can apply for this grant if:

1. You were employed or self employed
2. You were 23 years of age or older, with minor children, or 55 years of age or above, even without minor children
3. You did not own more than 50% of a property or rights to a property in the 2015 tax year, other than your primary residence
4. If you have one or two children, or are age 55+ without children, and your average monthly income falls between 2,060 and 6,141 you may be eligible for this grant.
5. If you have 3 or more children, and your average monthly income falls between 2,060 NIS and 6,750 NIS, you may be eligible for this grant.

*Some people will be eligible for the grant even if their monthly income falls below the minimum amounts stated above, so please keep that in mind.


The application deadline is September 30, 2016 
UPDATE: The deadline has been extended! You have until December 28, 2016 to apply!

How do you apply? 

In order to apply, all you have to do is fill out the online form OR go to the post office and answer a few questions. BE SURE to bring your teudat zehut (ID card) and either your checkbook or an "ishur" from your bank that you have an account with them. Please keep any paperwork you receive at the post office and/or in the mail. 

If you have questions after you've applied, or to check the status of your application, you can call *4954 or 1-222-4954 or 02-565-6400 to speak with the Tax Authority. 

How much can you expect to receive?
The amount you receive will vary depending on your circumstances, and if you qualify, will range from 80 shekels/month to 720 shekels/month (960 shekels yearly to 8,640 shekels yearly). 

Your spouse's income may affect your eligibility. 

I hope this helps some of you out there! It's worth it to check if you are eligible. (If you're not eligible, that's not a bad thing, really. I know some of you complained to me last year that you were not eligible, but that means you are earning more money than the people this program is supposed to help.)

Please share this information with your friends and family who may benefit from it!

Be sure to check out the other installments in this series:
Part 1
Part 3
Part 4 
Part 5

Series: Financial Assistance in Israel (Part 1)

I have fielded many questions lately about getting financial assistance in Israel, for people who earn low wages.

Sometimes it happens that the only jobs available are minimum wage jobs - it happens a lot, especially in the area of the country where I live. You may also have found that until your Hebrew improves, your job options are severely limited.

As such, it's really hard to make ends meet, for many, many individuals and families.

I'm going to post a series of posts about government and other programs that will provide some assistance to those in need.

This first installment is about Bituach Leumi's Income Support (Havtachat Hachnassa) Benefit.

If you have no work, or only work at a low-wage job, you can apply for Income Support/Income Supplement. This benefit ranges from 1384 NIS to 4400 NIS.

There are a number of conditions for entitlement, so please be aware that not everyone is automatically entitled.

In general, you must be 20 or over, in the country at least 24 months, not in the army, not in a Kollel or College (except for vocational training programs), not a member of a kibbutz, and actively looking for work or for additional or better-paying work (via the Employment Office).

There are also other requirements about car ownership, owning more than one property, and investments, so you really need to read the guidelines carefully. There are also various "special cases" in which one or more requirement is not required.

Bituach Leumi has all the information IN ENGLISH on their website. You can find it here, along with application instructions.

I hope this information helps someone out there - so please share this with anyone who might find this helpful.

Be sure to check out the other installments in this series:
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5