The following is based on information provided by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration
One of the best parts of the bureaucracy involved in making aliyah is the Absorption Basket program administered by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. Right when you get off your aliyah flight in Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met by representatives from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. They give you your teudat oleh, help you sign up for national health insurance, and, the best part, give you an envelope full of cash. (This is extremely helpful when you do not have Israeli currency to pay the cab driver.)
New immigrants arriving in Israel are eligible for substantial financial assistance during their first year through the Absorption Basket program. Single individuals receive between ₪21,694 ($7,011) and ₪26,785 ($8,656), while couples receive between ₪41,359 ($13,366) and ₪50,888 ($16,445). Single parents receive between ₪28,086 ($9,076) and ₪41,196 ($13,313). The amount you receive depends on your age and retirement status. Additional supplements apply for children across three age categories – birth to 4 years (₪12,831 / $4,146), 4 to 18 years (₪8,521 / $2,755), and 18 to 21 years (₪11,300 / $3,652) – with families of six or more members receiving an extra ₪5,918 ($1,912).
But don't worry, you won't walk out of the airport with tens of thousands of shekels in your pocket. First-time arrivals receive only their initial payment upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport. Those who transition to immigrant status while already in Israel receive their complete first payment via bank transfer. Subsequent monthly disbursements require establishing a bank account with a commercial bank in Israel. This is something you should do within the first week of your arrival.
The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration also provides 12 months of rental assistance following arrival, with payments distributed across six monthly installments.
Departing Israel temporarily suspends payments, though individuals returning within 12 months of their original aliyah can resume receiving funds by contacting the nearest ministry office. Make sure to keep your little blue card you get from passport control when entering Israel. You will need this to confirm that you are back in the country to resume payments.
