Rent Assistance

Assistance with rent payments for bereaved parents, widows and widowers, and guardians who do not own and have not owned an apartment or a part of an apartment, and based on their financial situation

Who is this page for?

Bereaved Parents

Widows and Widowers

Guardians of Orphans

What can you receive?

In the first and second year following the loss, parents, widows, and widowers may receive assistance with rent payments for a privately-owned apartment, based on their financial situation and the amount of rent paid.

Assistance in the third year will only be provided if, during the second year, a practical plan for purchasing a permanent residence is presented and it is proven that an additional rental period is required, and for up to 3 years.

For your attention

It is possible to receive one of the following types of assistance: mortgage repayment or payment of rent.

Bereaved parents

Parents relocating

Parents who move to a new home they own and meet the criteria for relocation assistance are also eligible for rent assistance to cover the gap between the date of vacating the sold home and the date of moving into the purchased home, as specified in the sale and purchase contracts.

Parents paying rent up to a maximum amount of 5,632 ₪ per month (as stated in the rental contract) will receive a fixed amount of 2,135 ₪. In case the rent is higher, the parents will not qualify for assistance.

Parents who own a home unsuitable for their needs

Parents who, due to their age, medical condition, or personal reasons, wish to rent out their home and rent another home that better suits their needs, can receive assistance equal to the difference between the rent they pay and the rent paid to them, up to a fixed amount of 2,135 ₪.

If the home the parents own is not rented out, rent will be deducted as if it was rented, subject to two different price estimates from two separate real estate agencies.

Example: if you rent a home for 5,500 ₪ per month and are unable to rent out the home you own, and two different real estate agencies estimate its value at 4,800 ₪ per month, you are entitled to receive assistance equal to the difference - 700 ₪ per month.

Elderly parents

Parents aged 65 and older can apply for rent assistance if:

They do not and have not owned a home or part of a home.
They have not previously received housing assistance (purchase, relocation, or mortgage repayment) from the Ministry of Defense.

The assistance will be provided for one year every time (forms must be submitted annually) without a time limit (for as many years as wish), provided a declaration is submitted stating that this assistance serves as an alternative to purchasing a home.

Widows and widowers with children

Widows and widowers relocating

Widows with children up to the age of 30 (children of the fallen only) who live with them and wish to move from their owned home, and meet the criteria for relocation assistance, are eligible for participation in funding rent for the time gap between the date of vacating the sold home and moving into the purchased home, according to the dates specified in the sale and purchase contracts, and for not more than 3 years. Widows paying rent up to the amount of 6,348 ₪ per month (as stated in the rental contract) will receive a fixed amount of 4,595 ₪.

Widows and widowers who own a home unsuitable for their living

Widows with children up to the age of 30 (children of the fallen only) who live with them, who due to their age, medical condition, or personal reasons, wish to rent out their owned home and rent another home that suits their condition, can receive assistance equal to the difference between the rent paid and the one paid to them.

If the widow's owned home is not rented out, the rent will be deducted as if it is rented, subject to two different price estimates from two different real estate agencies.

Example: if you rent a home for 6,100 ₪ per month and are unable to rent out the home you own, and two different real estate agencies estimate its value at 5,800 ₪ per month, you are entitled to receive assistance equal to the difference - 300 ₪ per month.

Elderly widows and widowers

Widows aged 65 and above can apply for rent assistance if:

They do not and have not owned a home or part of a home.
They have not previously received housing assistance (purchase, replacement, or mortgage repayment) from the Ministry of Defense.

The assistance will be provided for one year every time (forms must be submitted annually) and without a time limit (for as many years as wish), provided a declaration is submitted stating that this assistance serves as an alternative to purchasing a home.

Guardians of orphans

Assistance in funding housing expenses for a home used as the orphan's residence, for guardians who have not received mortgage repayment support.

A fixed monthly amount of 2,500 ₪ for three years following the loss or from the date of enactment of the law amendment (effective from January 15, 2025), or until the youngest orphan turns 21 - whichever is earlier.

In cases where the guardian has partial possession of the home - partial rent or mortgage payments - the assistance will be provided proportionally to the guardian's share.

For example: if the rent is 4,000 ₪ and the guardian and another person are jointly listed in the rental agreement, the department will reimburse partially (according to the number of individuals listed on the mortgage), meaning 50%, which is 2,000 ₪.

How guardians can receive assistance:

A rental agreement in the guardian's name must be submitted, specifying the rental period.
Assistance will be provided according to the dates specified in the rental agreement and for no more than 36 months.

You should know

Parents and widows experiencing a second loss are entitled to 200% support.

The limitations on the maximum rent in the contract remain unchanged even in cases of a second loss.

General conditions for receiving rent assistance

Eligibility for assistance will be determined based on the financial situation.
The department's participation in funding rent is intended to provide temporary assistance until a permanent housing solution is found.
The assistance involves a co-payment of 10%.
The assistance is up to the maximum amount determined by the directive.
If the parents or the widow receive rent assistance from the Ministry of Construction and Housing, or from any other source, the department will consider completing the difference between the assistance received and the maximum assistance that can be provided by the department.

How to apply?

The following documents must be submitted through your account:

Letter of application.
Bank account status - monthly income and expense report, as well as bank account statements for the last 3 months.
Confirmation by the Tax Authority detailing the residential properties you own.
Rental agreements and sale and purchase contracts in the name of the parents or the widow, specifying the dates of handing over the sold property and taking possession of the purchased property.
In case assistance is provided by any other source - confirmation of the amount provided by the other source must be submitted.

If necessary, we will contact you and request additional documents.

My account

What happens after you apply?

We will respond within 25 business days from the receipt of all required documents. If there is any delay, we will make sure to inform you.
After eligibility is approved, the reimbursement will be transferred via the monthly benefits slip.