Jerusalem, 9 April, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The outline for easing the process of receiving unemployment benefits for those who were on unpaid leave during the war with Iran was finally in the Knesset.
The bill includes a number of significant easing measures to expand eligibility for citizens:
1. Shortening the minimum eligibility period for unpaid leave from 30 days to 10 days. Eligibility for unemployment benefits begins on the first day.
2. Cancellation of the requirement to use accumulated vacation days as a condition for receiving unemployment benefits – so that it is possible to go on unpaid leave and accumulate vacation days at the same time.
3. Additional days of unpaid leave for those who were on unpaid leave during the war, so that they can go on unpaid leave and receive compensation again.
4. Cancellation of the first five day waiting period – receiving unemployment benefits from the first day.
5. Shortening the required qualification period to six months of work out of 18, and to only three months for people with disabilities, spouses of reserve service members who worked over 90 days in the past year, IDF wounded and hostilities and their spouses from October 7th onwards under certain conditions, discharged soldiers, and current conflict evacuees.
6. Employees who took vacation days and are entitled to compensation for unpaid leave will be able to convert them and receive the compensation so that they will have the vacation days they had before the operation.
7. Those who were not yet entitled to unemployment benefits and gave birth during the war will be entitled to maternity benefits after giving birth.
The law will apply from the Start of hostilities, February 28, until April 14, and will be subject to a one-month extension by order of the Minister of Finance.