Rights and Benefits for Discharged Lone Soldiers

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   In brief

   This guide covers the rights and benefits Lone Soldiers (chayal boded / chayelet bodeda) are entitled to as they approach and after their discharge.

   Who is a discharged Lone Soldier?

   • Someone who served at least 12 full and proper months of compulsory service, OR
   • Was discharged for medical reasons and was recognised as a Lone Soldier through the day of discharge.

   *Please note: the conditions of the benefits listed below may change from time to time and depend on the period of proper service. For any question, contact the Lone Soldiers Centre (Merkaz HaBodedim) or the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers (HaAgaf VeHaKeren) to verify your rights.

2. 2

   Discharge Grant and Personal Deposit

   Every discharged soldier receives two pots of money:

   Discharge Grant (Ma'anak Shichrur) — automatically transferred to the soldier's bank account within 60 days of discharge. The exact amount is type of service × length of service, shown in the personal area on the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers website.

   Personal Deposit (Pikadon Ishi) — a separate fund available for 5 years after discharge, intended for six specific purposes:

   • Buying an apartment (rechishat dira)
   • Professional training (hachshara miktzo'it)
   • Driving lessons (limudei nehiga)
   • Marriage (nisuin)
   • Studies (limudim)
   • Starting a business (hakamat esek)

   *Note: deposit withdrawals can only be made within the State of Israel. The withdrawal process is initiated in your personal area on the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers website.

3. 3

   Studies, Professional Training and Scholarships

   Counselling and guidance (Yiyutz Vehachvana):

   • Counselling at Division district offices — help in choosing a course of study or profession, plus information on professions and study tracks at different levels (vocational training, completion of 12 years of schooling, Bagrut completion / improvement, academic degree studies, etc.).
   • Counselling at Youth Centres (Merkazei HaTze'irim) — guidance from Division-and-Fund advisers based in local authorities across Israel. Check directly with the centre nearest you for opening hours and book an appointment in advance.
   • Career counselling and vocational diagnosis at testing institutes — 3 sessions with a vocational psychologist, a day of tests, and a summary report.

   Bagrut completion and pre-academic prep (Hashlamat Bagruyot Umechinot):

   • Completion and improvement of Bagrut certificate at pre-academic preparatory programmes (mechinot).
   • 'Mashli' programme — completion of 12 years of schooling.
   • Hadassah Becker scholarship — Bagrut completion and improvement.
   • Prep for the Regev programme — increase chances of success in undergraduate studies.
   • TaGaT (תג"ת) — completion of 12 years of schooling and a high-school diploma, with full funding and a living allowance.
   • Psychometric test prep — reimbursement of NIS 1,500 for prep-course fees.

   Academic studies and scholarships (Limudim Akademiim UMilgot):

   • 'Memadim LeLimudim' scholarship (From Uniform to Studies).
   • Periphery learners scholarship (Milgat Lomdim BaPeriferia).
   • Periphery residents scholarship (Milgat Toshvei Periferia).
   • 'Nachshonim LeHora'a' programme — degree in teaching.
   • Technological training — certified technicians and practical engineers.
   • Additional scholarships — check the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers website for the current list.

   Technological training in high-tech:

   • DevOps technological training.
   • 'Lochamim LeHi-Tech' — software-development specialist course.
   • Software testing (QA) course.
   • Training at private schools.
   • DevNet professional training.
   • English course for discharged combat soldiers.
   • Software development course.

   *Discharged soldiers who were not honorably discharged are not entitled to the periphery scholarships or to 'Memadim LeLimudim'. For more information and to register for counselling and scholarships, see the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers website.

4. 4

   Employment

   The Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers employment portal covers:

   • How to start a job search
   • Selected job offers
   • Jobs in security-related roles
   • CV writing
   • Employment Committee for laid-off reservists
   • Border Security Unit at the Ministry of Defence

   'Miktzoa LeChaim' Administration (Profession for Life):

   • Vocational course ~3 months before discharge, unrelated to your military role, with continued studies available up to 5 years after the end of compulsory service.
   • Courses take place at civilian educational institutions.
   • Most courses are free.
   • Financial assistance options for discharged soldiers (in partnership with the Heyel Association).
   • Course completion certificate recognised in the labour market.
   • Job placement in civilian workplaces for at least 50% of graduates.
   • Integration into civilian society and acquisition of a profession (Technological Reserve track).
   • Contact the 'Sha'ar LeAtid' manager: 03-7374789.

   'Lochamim LeHi-Tech':

   • A pre-discharge programme for combat soldiers.
   • Multi-track high-tech training with close mentorship and financial support.
   • Placement in leading market companies — your 'entry ticket' to high-tech.
   • Contact 'Sha'ar LeAtid': 03-7374789.

   'Atidim' programme:

   • Specialised practical-engineer training in partnership with leading industrial companies.
   • Monthly living scholarship + full tuition funding.
   • Training at colleges across Israel; programme length ~17 months.
   • Contact 'Sha'ar LeAtid': 03-7374789.
5. 5

   Housing benefits

   3 months in Beit HaChayal (Soldier's House):

   Stay in Beit HaChayal for up to 3 months after discharge, provided there is no obstacle to residing there. To use this benefit, contact your unit's Tash staff to reserve a place, and submit an application via your personal area on the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers website.

   Statutory rent assistance (first year after discharge only):

   Entitlement to rent participation for 12 months of rent, up to a total of NIS 12,000. Submit an application in your personal area on the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers website with the required documents.

   Career-soldier rent (Shchar Dira LeAnshei Keva): the method of claiming varies by year of career service:

   • Year 1 — apply for rent via the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers.
   • Year 2 — apply via the Mashain office in your unit; no distance criterion; entitled to 100% of the ceiling.
   • Year 3 — apply via the Mashain office; distance criterion applies — the soldier must live within 25 km of the unit.

   Rent assistance from State Estates:

   A one-off grant of a varying amount, up to NIS 5,000, for discharged soldiers who have not claimed or are not entitled to statutory rent assistance. Submit via the personal area on the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers website.

   Basic furniture assistance:

   Grant of up to NIS 1,500 against receipts for furniture purchases. Check the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers website for the dates this benefit is open.

   *No double benefits: you cannot combine career-soldier rent with MoD rent, or statutory rent with State Estates rent assistance.

6. 6

   Rights from public bodies

   Arnona (municipal property tax):

   Exemption from arnona for up to 4 months from the date of discharge. The benefit is not automatic — you must submit the required documents to your municipality (commonly: copy of Teudat Oleh, ID card, service-completion certificate, last arnona bill, and a signed lease). Many municipalities accept the request online.

   Income tax:

   Discount on income tax for 3 years after the end of compulsory service. Show your employer your discharge / service-completion certificate and submit Form 101 (employee card and request for tax reliefs). Also contact the Income Tax Authority directly via their website.

   Bituach Leumi (National Insurance):

   Exemption from National Insurance and Health Insurance contributions for the last two months of service.

   Ministry of Construction and Housing:

   Entitlement to a monthly housing grant for Olim, with the amount determined by the number of service months.

   Kupot Cholim:

   Register with a kupat cholim immediately after discharge — and private health insurance for anyone who is not yet an Israeli citizen.

7. 7

   BeHatzdaa Club

   Subsidised benefits package from the IDF covering culture, leisure and welfare activities. Membership comes with a free credit card and a wide range of discounts. Valid for 3 years from honorable discharge, ongoing for active reservists. Join via the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers website.

8. 8

   First and Important Steps to Civilian Life

   Practical checklist the MOD recommends for the first weeks after discharge:

   1. Register in the personal area of the Division for Discharged Soldiers and Reservists' website.
   2. Select your Health Insurance Fund (Kupat Cholim) — important to do this immediately after discharge to maintain coverage continuity.
   3. Check your rights and obligations with Bituach Leumi — mandatory payments for every citizen, plus the preferential work grant and unemployment benefits.
   4. Check your Income Tax credit eligibility during 36 months from discharge — a meaningful one-time refund opportunity.
   5. Compare Bank and Credit Card programs — most major banks have special discharged-soldier programs worth shopping for.
   6. Join the BeHatsdaa Club (see Section 5).
9. 9

   Helping organisations and contacts

   The Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers (HaAgaf VeHaKeren) provide you with a broad package of benefits and services in recognition of your service and as a way to help you reach your personal and professional potential. A wide range of associations and organisations support discharged soldiers across many areas — you can browse the directory on the Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers website by area of assistance and contact organisations directly.

   Lone Soldiers Centre at the IDF (Merkaz HaBodedim be'Mofet):

   • Call centre: 1111, extension 2
   • Email: Me.bodedim@mail.idf.il

   Ministry of Defence — Division and Fund for Discharged Soldiers:

   • Call centre: *5266, extension 5
   • Website: hachvana.mod.gov.il

   Division and the Fund for Discharged Soldiers (HaAgaf VeHaKeren) — official siteLone Soldiers Centre — email
10. 10

    Related guides

    Other guides in the Lone Soldier lifecycle (IDF / MOD) series:

    • Applying for Lone Soldier Recognition
    • Financial Benefits for Lone Soldiers
    • Housing Options for Lone Soldiers
    • Leave and Vacation for Lone Soldiers