Up to $ 1,500 will be given to individuals and families in need, depending on the judgment of the local welfare office with knowledge of each case, the fraternity said. This will be in addition to a flexible budget transferred to local authorities to improve their capacity to deal with residents in economic distress.
Currently, more than 82,000 households need help in addition to the benefits they receive from the National Insurance Institute of Israel.
The additional funds will allow local Israeli social services to distribute aid in the best possible way to people and families in distress. Anyone who is eligible and asks for help can receive it during the day.
Through this partnership, the budget has been doubled and bureaucratic limitations have been removed, so that local authorities can take an active part in the initiative without needing to spend on their side, the Fellowship said.
Illustrative photo of Israeli money (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
The assistance will be for the purchase of food and medicine, the payment of rent and the provision of furniture, clothing, shoes and basic electronics, including the devices needed for the online study. from a distance.
The emergency aid program for families began in June 2020 in 140 local authorities, the association said. In September 2020, the program was extended to all local authorities in Israel. Analysis of requests received at local welfare offices showed that the majority (49%) were for food aid, followed by requests for electrical appliances (20%).
The initiative aims to help the needy population who have been most affected by the current crisis. Customers can also receive a digital voucher which can be used for essentials such as food. The digital voucher will be texted to the eligible person’s cell phone, who will present it upon receipt of the item or service.
“Immediately after taking office as Minister of Welfare and Social Affairs, I focused on managing the poverty that increased during the coronavirus crisis,” said the Minister of Welfare and of Social Affairs Meir Cohen. “I want to thank our partners at The Fellowship, who have worked with government for many years to reach the most vulnerable populations.”
