General information about National Service

Who is a Girl on National Service?

A "Girl on National Service" is someone as defined in Subsection (2) of the "Child" definition in Article 5 of the National Insurance Law, who was granted, for health or conches reasons, a postponement of, or an exemption from, military service duty and serves voluntarily, without salary, in a National Service, and meets all the following criteria:

She has been referred to National Service by an organization certified for that purpose.

She undertook to serve for a period of at least 12 months and during this period she isn't self - employed.

She undertook to engage in National Service for at least 30 hours per week (the engagement requirement of the Operating Organization may be as high as 40 weekly hours).

What services qualify as National Service?

A service of national security, service in an institution dedicated to integration of new immigrants, education, welfare, medical care, youth care, family care and care for elderly. In addition, any other service that has national or public benefit according to the procedures published by Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.

Which organizations are certified as Operating Organizations?

It is important to know that an Operating Organization is a Governmental or public institution which commissions and finances the activities of the girls within its framework, such as the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, HMOs and Hospitals.

An acknowledged organization is certified by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. Currently, there are four acknowledged organization:

"People's Volunteering Association", "Shlomit Association", "Bat - Ami" and the Jerusalem Municipality (the addresses and telephones are listed later in this article).

What are your duties in the National Service?

A A girl volunteering for National Service within one of the Certified Organizations undertakes to act within the declared goals of the Certified Organization, to adhere to instructions of the superiors and comply with the rules and regulations of the organization.

B The Certified Organization is responsible for reporting to the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare on the girl's service. The report must include: discontinuation of service, causes of illness, personal leave of absence, a move to another Certified Organization and termination of service.

C The girl must fulfill her role within the task framework of the Operating Organization with approval of the Certified Organization.

D Absence from service without approval of the superiors in both the Certified Organization and the Operating Organization might lead to non - recognition of the girl's service and derogate from her rights in the National Insurance Institute and the Ministry of Defense.

Service period:

A The obligatory service period is a minimum of 12 full months, for the purposes of the "Girl on National Service" definition in the National Insurance Regulations and the IDF Veterans Placement Law.

B A girl who serves for 21 months will be entitled to additional rights from the National Insurance Institute.

C Discontinuation of service, for medical reasons, before completion of 12 months, does not prevent eligibility to rights under the IDF Veterans Placement Law, if such discontinuation of service was approved by the Medical Committee of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

Absence from service:

Absences for medical reasons:

1. Absence for medical reasons must be certified by the attending physician - these certifications should be submitted to the Certified Organization.

2. Absence of up to 30 days a year, is considered as sick leave for all intended purposes.

3. Absence of 30 days must be approved by the competent Medical Committee of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, from the first day of illness.

4. Discontinuation of the service for medical reasons must be approved by a Medical Committee authorized by the Ministry of labor and Social Affairs.

Absence for personal reasons:

1. Absence for personal reasons must be reported to both the certified and Operating Organizations and approved by the same.

2. Absences for justified reasons, approved by superiors, will be completed by service at another time (for instance during vacations) in order not to derogate from the complete service period.

3. Special absence for personal reasons such as marriage, studies, traveling abroad, requires written permission from both the certified and Operating Organizations, and reporting to the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare in real - time. Completion of absence or vacation period must be coordinated with the Operating Organization and, on the same time, reported to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

4. The importance of the commitment to serve a minimum term of 12 months of volunteering should be emphasized, to avoid derogation from the girl's rights according to the law.

Moving between Certified Organizations or between positions:

A A girl's commitment to volunteer for National Service requires strict compliance with instructions of the Certified Organization (the association where she serves) and Operating Organization.

B Changing the place of service or the position can only be done in coordination and approval of both the Certified Organization and the Operating Organization.

C Moving from one Certified Organization to another can be done only with the approval of both association in a joint document, signed by the associations' directors.

D It should be noted that absence from service resulting from moving between positions or from one place of service to another or between Certified Organizations, isn't acknowledged as National Service period, and is considered as an Uncounted Period.

E Uncounted Period of more than 5 days prevents the entitlement under the IDF Veterans Placement Law, unless the Uncounted Period is completed beyond the year of service.

Please Note:

Work:

According to the National Insurance Regulations (National Service Volunteers), 5762 - 2002, a volunteer on National Service shall not work, shall not be self - employed and shall not study a regular curriculum as defined by the Regulations, except as instructed by the person in charge, with approval of the Advisory Committee, considering the volunteer's socio – economic situation.

Moreover, a volunteer will not be permitted to work and study on the same time during the year of service.

If the girl wishes to work during her service, she has to apply in writing for a Work Permit during National Service, on the form "Work Permit Request". The request will include full details of the work type, scope, employer's name, workplace, the economic situation of the volunteer and her family members and a detailed explanation on the reason for requesting a work permit.

Important: you must attach the certificate of social worker employed by the association or by the social services.

Then submit the form to the principal where you are placed to obtain approval of the request. Following the said approval, send the form to the association in which you are registered as a volunteer and wait for confirmation.

Please note: the work will be approved under the condition that neither interferes with the volunteer's functioning nor prevents her from filling up the volunteering quota in her place of service.

Academics:

What is considered a regular curriculum?

A Studies in an institution of higher education, consisting of more than 2 hours per week.

B Studies organized by the association, totaling more than 6 hours per week.

The request for approval of regular curriculum studies during National Service will be submitted for confirmation by the volunteer to the Association where she is registered. The request must be submitted in writing on form no. 3 – Studies Application Form. Please specify the name of the institution of higher education and the planed scope of study hours per week, along with the curriculum.

Important: before submitting your request to the association, you must submit it first to your actual Operating Organization for approval.

Note: Absence for the purpose of attending aptitude exams (e.g. psychotechnical tests): will be made possible only upon with approval of the association where the girl serves.

Personal information report:

It is very important to be accurate in the information reported to the Certified Organization, as it is the basis of the data regarding the girl. Please make sure you report accurately to the Certified Organization including about the changes that occur during service.

Important information is:

First name, last name (change of maiden name after marriage), address (change of place of residence or place of service), I.D. number, bank account (including branch and account number).

All reports about changes can be made only through Certified Organization rather than directly to the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare or the Ministry of Defense.

Comparison with IDF veteran rights:

Girls who complete National Service are entitled to all benefits under the IDF Veteran Placement Law, 5754 – 1994. IDF veterans have additional rights that are granted by the Department of IDF Veteran Placement in the Ministry of Defense. These rights do not apply to girls on National Service.

Figures that make you feel good (i.e. - regarding the IDF Veteran Placement Law):

A girl on National Service who has completed at least 12 months of service, is entitled to the following benefits:

Discharge grant, personal deposit and a conditional option to receive help from the Additional Assistance Fund.

Following are the eligibility amounts:

Discharge Grant: approximately NIS 112 per each month of service.

Personal Deposit: about NIS 430 per each month of service.

Total Grant and Deposit: approximately NIS 542 per each month of service.

Accordingly, a girl who completes her National Service receives the following amounts (in rounded NIS):

A girl who has completed 12 months of National Service:

National service period Discharge Grant Deposit Total

12 months NIS 1,644 NIS 5,161 NIS 6,499

A girl who has completed 21 months of National Service:

National service period Discharge Grant Deposit Total

21 months NIS 2,342 9,032 11,374

The amounts specified above are updated based on the consumer price index for September 1999, published in October 1999

Options of utilizing the deposit funds:

1. Studies: completing high school education, pre - academic studies, academic studies and higher religious studies (post high - school Yeshiva), institutions recognized for this purpose by the Minister of Education or the Minister of Religious Matters, as the case may be.

2. Professional training: any professional course in any field, provided that the educational institute to which you enrolled and the course you have chosen to study in that same institution, are both acknowledged for the purpose of this Law by the Minister of Labor and Social Welfare.

3. Housing: purchase of a residential apartment.

4. Establishing a business: establishing a new business or joining an existing business, for livelihood purposes.

Note: the remaining unutilized balance of the deposit funds will be transferred to you after 5 years from the completion date of your service.

Rights you are entitled to from the National Insurance Institute:

A A girl who served for at least 21 months, according to the National Insurance Law, may receive a special grant of NIS 6,603 (as at October 1, 1999) if she meets all of the following preconditions:

B At least 6 full months of work during which she accumulates at least 150 days, within 24 months from the date completing her service.

C She begins working in the first year after her discharge.

D The type of work will be in the following sectors: industry, construction, agriculture, or hoteliery (except for clerical positions).

Unemployment benefits:

A girl who served for at least 21 months is entitled to unemployment benefits in the first year following her discharge, if she registers as employment seeker and no suitable work is found for her in the Employment Service Bureau. The period of eligibility is up to 70 days.

Vocational training of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare:

Every girl who has completed her National Service, is eligible to acquire a profession in day courses arranged by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare in fields such as: construction, technology, computers, office jobs, metalworking, fashion, etc.

The courses are tuition free and someone who has completed 21 months of service, may receive, during her training, unemployment benefits from the National Insurance Institute in accordance with the Law.

Additional information can be obtained at the nearest Employment Service Bureau.

Residence:

Every girl who has completed her National Service is eligible to apply for a Housing Eligibility Certificate issued by the Ministry of Housing, like any resident of Israel. The volunteering period will give her credit points that are not granted to those who have not volunteered for National Service. The amount of financial aid to be granted will be determined by total points accumulated according to criteria set by the Ministry of Housing.