Childbirth in Israel: Benefits and Parental Rights
- Lump-sum payments upon childbirth
- Paid maternity leave
- Protected parental rights in the workplace
- Additional benefits for families with newborns
- Practical steps for receiving benefits
Financial benefits upon childbirth
Immediately after childbirth, the Israeli state provides several types of financial assistance. The key benefit is a one-time payment from the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi), intended to cover initial expenses. Its amount is fixed and does not depend on family income. Subsequently, parents begin receiving a monthly child allowance (“child benefit”), which is paid until the child reaches 18 years of age. The amount of this benefit varies depending on the number of children in the family and their age. To receive these payments, it is necessary to apply to Bituach Leumi, providing the child’s birth certificate (teudat ledia).
Maternity leave
Working mothers are entitled to paid maternity leave (“chulat leda”). Its standard duration is 26 weeks: 14 weeks before the expected due date and 12 weeks after. However, part of this leave can also be used after childbirth. Maternity benefit is paid by Bituach Leumi and amounts to 100% of the woman’s average salary (with an established upper limit). It is important to note that part of this leave can be transferred to the child’s father, allowing families to flexibly distribute newborn care. To arrange it, it is necessary to provide a sick leave note (“itsurim”) from a gynecologist and an application to the employer.
Parental rights in the workplace
Israeli legislation strictly protects parental rights. In addition to maternity leave, women have the right to paid leave for doctor visits during pregnancy. After returning from maternity leave, the mother’s job position is preserved. Furthermore, both parents have the right to paid “sick days” for caring for a sick child, the number of which depends on the child’s age. There are also rights to reduced working hours for parents of young children. These measures are designed to help balance professional activity and family responsibilities. If your situation requires finding more flexible work, you can find many options in the Jobs section on our website.
Additional support and benefits
In addition to the main payments, families with newborns may qualify for a number of additional benefits. This may include tax credits (“nekudot zikui”), which reduce the amount of income tax paid monthly. Many health funds (“kupot cholim”) offer special programs and discounts for infants and young parents. It is also worth exploring municipal benefits, such as reduced fees for daycare centers (“mishpachton” or “gan”). During this period, many families face the need to buy or sell baby items, strollers, furniture, and other things. For this, the Hand to Hand section is ideal, where you can easily and quickly place an ad.
Practical steps and useful resources
To realize your rights, you need to take clear steps: register the child’s birth with the Ministry of Interior (“Misrad HaPnim”), obtain a birth certificate, and submit all documents to Bituach Leumi and your health fund in a timely manner. It is recommended to keep a folder with all official papers. Do not forget that your experience can be useful to others. If you offer nanny services, consultations for young parents, or rent accommodation for families, post information in the Services or Real Estate sections. Automatic translation of your ad into four languages will significantly increase its audience and effectiveness.
In conclusion, childbirth in Israel is accompanied by a comprehensive system of state support, including financial benefits, protected leaves, and various benefits. A deep understanding of these rights allows parents to confidently plan their budget and their family’s future. To further ease this period, use modern digital tools. By posting ads on our multilingual platform, you not only quickly solve everyday issues—selling unwanted items or finding services—but you do so with maximum efficiency. Your ad in Russian instantly becomes understandable in Hebrew, English, and Arabic, erasing language barriers and opening access to the widest audience in Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to register a child’s birth in Israel?
For this, you need to contact the Ministry of Interior (“Misrad HaPnim”) and provide a birth certificate.
What is the amount of the lump-sum payment at birth?
The benefit amount is fixed and does not depend on family income.
Can I transfer part of the leave to the child’s father?
Yes, part of the maternity leave can be transferred to the child’s father.