National Insurance Institute Covers Unpaid Child Support, Recovers from Obligors

When a court-ordered child support payment is missed, Israel's National Insurance Institute (NII) steps in to pay the recipient and then collects the full amount from the obligated parent. The amounts paid by the NII range from NIS 2,076 for women under 55 without children to NIS 5,289 for women aged 55 and over with two or more children. The actual payment is the lesser of the court-ordered amount or the sum stipulated by regulations, with the difference remaining a debt owed by the obligor to the recipient, which the NII collects separately.

Eligibility for NII payments is subject to income thresholds. For women under 55 without children, full or partial benefits are available for incomes up to NIS 3,652 monthly. These thresholds increase with the number of children, reaching NIS 9,864 for those with two or more. For women aged 55 and over, the income ceilings are higher, ranging from NIS 6,115 to NIS 12,504.

The Child Support (Payment Guarantee) Law of 1972 governs these payments, applying to women or children under 18 who have a court order for support that has ceased. Children in the care of a guardian have a separate payment schedule, starting at NIS 2,434 for one child and NIS 3,569 for two, with additional amounts for more children. These also have lower income ceilings.

A 2017 Supreme Court ruling shifted the burden of child support for children over age 6, making both parents responsible for expenses based on custody time and income disparities. Previously, fathers bore the primary responsibility under Jewish law, regardless of their financial capacity or the children's time with them. While the primary obligation for children under 6 still rests with the father, family courts increasingly consider time spent with each parent and income differences even for younger children.

Essential expenses like food, clothing, housing, and urgent medical needs are awarded without proof. Discretionary expenses such as extracurricular activities, private lessons, and entertainment are divided based on the parents' disposable income. Actual time spent with each parent is a crucial factor in calculations, and documented schedules can significantly influence court decisions. The NII requires a court order and an application to process these monthly payments, which cease if the recipient's income exceeds the eligibility threshold.