Unemployment

If you are an oleh Hadash who has been in Israel six months or more, but less than 12 months, you apply for unemployment support through "Misrad Haklita". Be sure to bring:

• your te`udat `oleh
• te`udat zehut
• bank account information

For everyone else:

1. Go to your local "misrad hata`asuka" (there's one here in M"A in the basement of the mall, next to the Chabad) with the letter from your employer (stating you are no longer employed). They will take your information and "sign you up". You will need to re-appear at that office once a week until you have found a job. It is critical that you sign up as soon as possible, because your unemployment benefits begin from the time you sign up, not from the time you became unemployed!
2. Afterwards, go to the Bituach Leumi (there's a branch here in M"A, close to the Paz station, but it's only open Wednesdays) and file for benefits. You will need a form from your employer ("'ishur mehama`asik `al tekufat ha`asaka ve`al vasachar אישור מהמעסיק על תקופת העסקה ועל השכר) detailing your salary over the past X months, so don't bother going until you have that form. (It is not clear if you can use old paystubs in lieu of that form, at least initially -- I will go this week to B"L and let you know)