More Holocaust survivors finally getting increased aid stipends

By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
After a long public struggle, tens of thousands of elderly Holocaust survivors in Israel are starting to receive additional state stipends in keeping with the findings of a recent public commission of inquiry, the umbrella group of Holocaust survivors in Israel said Thursday. The increased state assistance will affect 43,000 survivors who had not benefited from a recent landmark government agreement to boost the stipends of Holocaust survivors in Israel. The elderly survivors are receiving a one-time payment of NIS 6,500-9,500 each, as well as an increased monthly payment of NIS 370-760 each depending on the percentage of their disability. The total cost to the state budget is estimated at NIS 230 million this year. The funding for the increased assistance came from recently approved cutbacks to government offices.