National Insurance Offers Up to $2,900 Monthly for Pregnancy Leave
Women in Israel who must stop working during pregnancy due to medical reasons or workplace conditions may be eligible for a "pregnancy preservation" allowance from the National Insurance Institute. This benefit is designed to compensate for lost wages, with the potential to reach up to NIS 10,865 (approximately $2,900) per month, calculated at a maximum of NIS 350.47 per day. However, eligibility for the maximum amount is subject to specific criteria set by the National Insurance.
The allowance is available to employed women who are absent from work during pregnancy due to a medical risk to themselves or the fetus, or because their job conditions pose a risk, and no suitable alternative work was found. The daily maximum of NIS 350.47 is effective from January 1, 2026. The actual amount received depends on the salary on which insurance contributions were paid, up to this daily ceiling.
To qualify, women must be Israeli residents and either employed or self-employed, having paid National Insurance contributions for at least six of the fourteen months preceding their work stoppage. Self-employed individuals must be registered and have paid contributions on time. The reason for stopping work is crucial; the absence must stem from a medical risk related to the pregnancy or from the nature of the work itself, with no suitable alternative role available. Examples include early labor signs or specific jobs like horse riding instruction, where alternative positions couldn't be found.
After submitting a claim and medical documents, a National Insurance gynecologist reviews the case. The claim may be denied if medical reasons do not justify the leave or if the work environment is not deemed sufficiently risky. The initial period of pregnancy preservation must be at least 30 consecutive days, with subsequent periods requiring at least 14 consecutive days. Exceptions exist if a leave is approved for 30 days but ends prematurely due to birth or pregnancy termination.
The daily allowance is calculated based on the higher of two averages: the salary from the three months prior to stopping work divided by 90, or the salary from the six months prior divided by 180. For self-employed individuals, initial calculations are based on advance payments, later adjusted by tax assessments. Women working both as employees and self-employed may be eligible for benefits covering both income streams, subject to separate qualifying periods and the daily cap. Special considerations may apply if salary decreased in the months preceding the leave due to reasons like illness or family bereavement.
Claims can be submitted immediately after stopping work, requiring a specialist's medical certificate, pregnancy tracking records, and, for employees, employer documentation regarding the work's nature and the lack of alternative positions. Applications can be filed online, by mail, fax, or at a local branch within 12 months of the leave's start. Payments are typically made to the bank account 30 days after the leave begins. Monthly reporting on the continuation or cessation of leave is required. The allowance cannot be received concurrently with sick pay from an employer; a choice must be made. Travel abroad may affect eligibility depending on the reason for the leave. If pregnancy preservation continues until birth in a hospital, maternity pay is processed automatically.
