Israel Offers Reserve Duty Families Up To NIS 2,000 Reimbursement for Holiday Camps

Israeli families of reservists can now apply for reimbursement for children's holiday camps during the Sukkot and Simchat Torah period, which runs from September 22 to October 2. The reimbursement is part of a program established earlier in the year to support reservists, with the current application window closing on October 2. This benefit is not automatic and requires reservists to submit a formal application with official receipts or invoices from the camp provider.

The amount of reimbursement varies, with a maximum of NIS 500 for the first child and NIS 250 for each additional child. However, this is subject to an annual cap based on the reservist's service rank. Those in activity ranks Aleph+ and Aleph can receive up to NIS 2,000 annually, while those in rank Bet have an annual cap of NIS 1,300. This annual cap means that any reimbursement received for previous camps, such as Passover or summer camps, will reduce the amount available for the current holiday period.

To be eligible for this specific holiday camp reimbursement, reservists must have completed at least 20 days of reserve duty in 2026. Additionally, for the Sukkot and Simchat Torah period, they must have served at least three days during the holiday itself. The IDF emphasizes that simply accumulating reserve days earlier in the year is insufficient if the reservist is not actively serving during the relevant holiday period.

The "up to NIS 2,000" figure can be misleading, as it represents the annual ceiling for certain reservists, not the amount per camp or per family for this specific holiday. A family with one child, for instance, can receive a maximum of NIS 500 for this camp, provided they meet all other criteria and have paid the full amount. The program also includes provisions for Hanukkah camps, scheduled for December 6-12.

Reservists planning to claim this benefit should verify their eligibility by checking their total reserve days in 2026, their service days during the holiday, their activity rank, and their remaining annual reimbursement cap. They must also ensure they obtain and submit proper documentation for camp fees paid.