Working Two Jobs and Going on Leave
Imagine the following situation: you're working two jobs, maybe even running a side business, and suddenly you find yourself on unpaid leave due to the war. You thought this would impact your income, but you didn't expect what would happen with your unemployment benefits. Instead of receiving the full amount, you discover that every shekel you continue to earn is deducted from your unemployment benefits, regardless of where the income comes from. This situation can lead to unpleasant surprises. For example, if you worked on a certain day and earned 100 shekels, and your unemployment benefits are 150 shekels per day, you will only receive 50 shekels for that day. And if you worked for a daily wage of 200 shekels, you will receive nothing for that day. Confusing? Definitely.
What the Law Actually Looks At
Israeli law states that any income you earn while on unpaid leave (known as "chal'at") is deducted from your unemployment benefits. This income can come from a second job, your side business, or even your pension. This law is designed to prevent a situation where people receive double payments that unfairly inflate their income. One of the most common cases is when people work part-time in addition to their main job. If the pay from the part-time job is lower than unemployment benefits, it's advisable to ask the employment service not to register unemployment days for those workdays. This way, you can preserve your quota of unemployment days for the future and not lose the small difference. This law requires you to be aware of your income and plan your financial path accordingly. Every shekel you earn beyond the unemployment benefits can affect the amounts you receive, so it's important to know how to calculate this impact in advance.
When Is It Relevant — Checklist
- ✓You worked two jobs and went on leave.
- ✓You have a side business and additional income.
- ✓You receive a pension along with unemployment benefits.
- ✓Your daily wage from a part-time job is lower than unemployment benefits.
The Specific Law That Applies
The National Insurance Law dictates the conditions under which one can receive unemployment benefits in Israel. The law clarifies that any additional income, whether from another job or a side business, will affect the amount of unemployment benefits you are entitled to. This means you must be aware that every shekel you earn while on leave can reduce the amount you receive from the state. The consequence of violating this law could include returning funds you received unlawfully, and in some cases, additional penalties. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure you are reporting all your income correctly.
Questions Everyone Asks — and No One Asks the Lawyer
Real Situations — Which Side of the Line Are You On?
- ✓A store manager who went on leave and kept their side business active. Full deduction of unemployment benefits.
- ✓A part-time worker with a salary lower than unemployment benefits who asked not to register unemployment days on workdays. Preserved their quota of days.
- ✓A pensioner working an additional job. Every shekel is deducted from unemployment benefits.
What to Do Right Now
The first step is to review your income and see how it affects the unemployment benefits you're receiving. If there are doubts or uncertainties, seek legal advice to understand your rights and obligations. If you do nothing, you might find yourself returning funds to the state or experiencing significant cuts in your unemployment benefits. To avoid this situation, it's recommended to check your income and report any changes.