National Insurance Official Questions Adequacy of Support for Hostage Survivors
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- National Insurance official questions if 9,000 shekels monthly is enough for hostage survivors.
- NII calls for increased Finance Ministry funding due to rising post-October 7th expenses.
- Over 87,000 victims of hostilities recognized, with 40,000 declared disabled.
- NII payouts surged from 800 million shekels in 2023 to 3.5 billion in 2025.
- Support for survivors includes stipends, housing, vehicle aid, and mental health treatment.
A senior official at Israel's National Insurance Institute (NII) has called on the Ministry of Finance to increase funding for survivors of captivity, citing a significant rise in expenses since October 7th. Yirona Shalom stated that while survivors receive approximately 9,000 shekels per month along with additional benefits, she is uncertain if this amount is sufficient.
Shalom urged the Finance Ministry to explore alternative budgetary sources, emphasizing the state's obligation to those affected by the war. She highlighted the NII's efforts to provide optimal services, including intensive rehabilitation programs, to individuals who have suffered greatly and deserve support. The NII is committed to helping survivors rebuild their lives.
The scale of the NII's involvement is substantial, with 87,266 individuals recognized as victims of hostilities. Of these, 40,000 have been declared disabled, either physically or mentally. The figures include 1,029 civilian fatalities, 63 of whom were children and teenagers, and 88 foreign nationals. The institute is also supporting 100 families who lost more than one member, numerous widows and widowers, and 1,216 orphans.
Financial expenditures have surged dramatically, with the NII paying 800 million shekels in 2023, 2 billion shekels in 2024, and an projected 3.5 billion shekels in 2025, excluding nearly 75 million shekels in rehabilitation costs. The NII is investing in both regular benefits and intensive rehabilitation, aiming to enable survivors to return to work and receive additional income.
Regarding disability determinations, Shalom explained that individuals are assessed by committees to determine temporary or permanent disability status. Currently, nearly 50% of those deemed disabled have been assigned a permanent status. For hostage survivors specifically, rapid legislative processes have been enacted to provide comprehensive support, including monthly stipends, assistance with housing and vehicles, and lifelong mental health treatment.
