Holocaust survivors to receive extra benefits

Bill will increase the amount the government spends on nursing care benefits by tens of millions of shekels each year.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Holocaust survivors in Israel_311 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Holocaust survivors in Israel_311
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Holocaust survivors would be able to receive nursing care benefits in addition to payments they receive as survivors, according to a bill passed in its preliminary reading on Wednesday.
The measure, proposed by Knesset Labor, Welfare and Health Committee chairman Haim Katz (Likud Beytenu), would increase the amount the government spends on nursing care benefits by tens of millions of shekels each year.
“This is another way to prevent harm to Holocaust survivors,” Katz said in the plenum. “We’re giving them 16 hours of nursing care without ‘entrance exams.’” The Likud Beytenu MK added that 40 survivors die each day.
Welfare and Social Services Minister Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid) said the change would benefit 4,000 people at a cost of NIS 70 million each year.
Two years ago, a bill proposed by Katz which became law, allowed for stipends paid by other countries, such as Germany, to not count as income when calculating whether survivors are eligible for free nursing care.
The new bill means that payments made by the Israeli government, like the Finance Ministry’s monthly allowance for victims of the Nazis, will also not count as income.
“The government of Israel is taking a significant step in taking care of the Holocaust survivors,” Katz said. “Finance Minister Yair Lapid showed responsibility and great sensitivity to the issue, and he agreed that his ministry will support the bill and will promote it in full cooperation [with the Labor, Welfare and Health Committee].”
The bill passed its preliminary reading with 27 MKs in favor and none opposed. It will be brought to the committee to be prepared for its first reading.