In light of the ongoing state of emergency and the closure of educational and daycare facilities, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services has decided to grant a NIS 500 stipend for every child residing in a foster family. The stipend is intended to assist families in coping with the additional expenses during this period, primarily the need for supervision and childcare solutions for the children due to the suspension of facilities.
The Ministry emphasizes that this assistance is particularly crucial for foster parents serving in reserves or defined as essential workers who are required to report for duty and need available supervision solutions. The stipend will be transferred to all eligible foster families through the regular payment mechanism of the Foster Care Service, and no application or action is required from the families.
Thousands of foster families operate in Israel, providing a warm and stable home for children who cannot grow up in their parents’ homes, serving as a significant anchor of stability and security for them.
Minister of Welfare and Social Services Haim Katz:
“The stipend will assist parents mobilized on the front lines and in the rear, and expresses the state’s appreciation for the endless dedication of foster families. We are committed to providing them with full support so that they can continue their important mission in routine and in emergency.”
Eti Kissos, Deputy Director and Head of the Social Services Administration:
“We are aware of the ongoing challenges posed by the prolonged period of fighting on foster families and are working to alleviate them as much as possible. We will continue to work towards improvement and efficiency for the children and foster families.”
Adi Makal, Director of the Foster Care Service at the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services:
“We are aware of the caregiving burden and additional expenses for supervision for families in Israel, including foster families, with an emphasis on parents mobilized for reserve duty or essential arrays. The comprehensive stipend for children is intended to assist families and express our deep appreciation for their great dedication and to help them navigate the war period.”