We wish to inform you in brief that due to the Corona crisis, the following are the benefits provided by the governmental National Insurance Institute of Israel (“the NIII”):
•Employees who leave on furlough are entitled to unemployment benefits (under certain conditions, in particular, a six-month employment period of one-and-a-half years before the furlough). The NIII will provide an unemployment wage to the mentioned unemployed.
• Self-employed individuals are entitled to a special grant by the Income Tax Authority and the NIII of up to NIS 6,000. The grant is granted under certain condition, mainly that the self-employed submitted an annual income tax return for 2018 (for businesses established in the 2019 only if the tax return is submitted before the 1st of June 2020), the taxable income is of over NIS 24,000 in 2018 and the total taxable income for 2018 was up to NIS 240,000 (if married, for both spouses up to NIS 340,000). As for now, many self-employed do not qualify, in particular self-employed performing their activity through a company (controlling shareholders). It is foreseen that they also will enter the benefitting circle in the near future as well. Also, as a further grant is expected in May.
•A grant to families of NIS 500 per child and up to four children is expected for Passover, according to the Prime Minister announcement.

•A special adjustment grant for employees aged 67 and over who have been forced out or put in leave on

furlough by the employer due to the Corona crisis is expected to be up to NIS 6,000.