Purpose of assistance

The purpose of assistance through vouchers is to facilitate vocational absorption for new immigrants/returning residents, to expand the range of choices available to eligible candidates for placement in the job market, and to allow them to maximize their skills based on their education, experience and abilities.

Target population for assistance by the vouchers project:

  Persons that are not working
  Persons that with professions or skills for which there is no demand in the Israel job-market.

According to regulations, this assistance does not include courses for “Gmul Hishtalmut.” Because of budgetary constraints, assistance will not be available for the period October 20^th, 2009 to to February 1^st 2011.

Eligibility

Eligibility for assistance is on an individual basis, and is contingent upon the following:

a. Budgetary considerations at any given time.
b. Prior approval of assistance, based on the candidate’s personalized employment track. 

Individuals meeting the criteria below may be eligible for assistance:

  An immigrant / immigrant citizen / returning minor / returning resident/ child of an immigrant who, on the date of receiving status, was over the age of 15 years old, and is at least 18 years of age at the time of requesting assistance.

  At the time of requesting assistance, applicants are of working age according to Regulation 258 as specified in the Table of Retirement Age that appears in Regulation 6.113, Sub-regulation 5.1.3 (Hebrew).

  Hebrew proficiency – applicants must complete ulpan “aleph” or speak Hebrew at ulpan “aleph” level (even if they are within the period of Absorption Basket payments).

Period of Eligibility

  New Immigrants – 10 years from receipt of new immigrant status or eligibility as a new immigrant.
  Immigrants from Ethiopia – 15 years from the date of receipt of immigrant status or eligibility as a new immigrant.
  Immigrants from Caucasia-  Immigrants that made aliyah after 1/1/89 and recognized by the Department of Documentation and Eligibility and are eligible according to criteria set forth in Temporary Regulation 313.
  Returning Residents - Two years from the date of receipt of returning resident status:
a. one that is recognized as a returning resident within the framework of the special program for returning Israelis (Temporary Regulation 309)
b. one that is recognized as a returning resident but is not within the aforementioned program will receive according to the regular channels for new immigrants.

  Persons that have extended their eligibility: only on condition that they are within a 10-year timeframe of eligibility for vocational assistance. 
  Transitory Provision- an applicant whose period of eligibility expired between October 20^th, 2009 to to February 1^st 2011 can be eligible for assistance according to Temporary Regulation 258, on condition that they submit a completed request (with all necessary attachments) no later than May 31^st 2011.

Conditions of Assistance

Personal application to an absorption counselor at a local branch or district office of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

1. Submission of a detailed cost proposal.
2. Study program.
3. Approval supervision/recognition of an authorized professional body.

Note that assistance is contingent upon budget availability at any given time.
Further details available from employment counselors at all Ministry of Immigrant Absorption bureaus

Last update: 16/2/2011