National Insurance Distributes 1,200 Shekel Back-to-School Grant to Over 140,000 Families

Ahead of the 2023-2024 school year starting in about three weeks, Israel's National Insurance Institute will transfer the annual back-to-school grant to more than 140,000 families tomorrow, Tuesday. The grant aims to help cover significant expenses related to preparing for the school year, such as purchasing textbooks, stationery, backpacks, and other supplies. This year, the National Insurance will automatically deposit approximately 335 million shekels into eligible families' bank accounts, marking an increase of about 35 million shekels compared to the amount paid in 2024.

The grant will be paid for 197,000 children from single-parent families and 79,000 children from families with four or more children receiving social benefits, including income support, alimony, disability, veteran, or survivor allowances. The grant amount is set at 1,204 shekels per child aged 6 to 18, automatically transferred for children born between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2020. However, eligibility may extend to children outside this birthdate range if they are currently enrolled in first or twelfth grade, provided an official school attendance certificate is submitted.

Families experiencing changes in their status, such as a parent becoming a single parent, are advised to verify eligibility and submit a one-time application via the National Insurance website or local branch. National Insurance CEO Tzvika Cohen emphasized the grant's purpose to ease financial burdens for eligible families and highlighted the importance of investing in children's education as an investment in Israeli society's future.