Lone Soldier Benefits
Israel Ministry of Defense - Hachvana
משרד הביטחון - האגף לחיילים משוחררים ומילואים
Hachvana is the department within the Israel Ministry of Defense responsible for released soldiers and reservists. It administers post-army benefits, grants, scholarships, and career guidance for every soldier after service.
How to access: Log in to your personal account at hachvana.mod.gov.il using your Teudat Zehut and password.
Merkaz Bodedim
מרכז בודדים
The IDF’s official department for Lone Soldiers — your go-to resource for rights and benefits. Operates a 24/7 multilingual hotline open to Lone Soldiers, their parents, and IDF commanders.
Hotline (Israel)
1111
Hotline (Abroad)
+972-3-5691000
+972-52-9437725
me.bodedim@mail.idf.il
How to access: Save these contacts, Call from any place any time.
Your First Steps After Release
Some benefits have strict deadlines that start the moment you are released.
Register with Hachvana
Visit hachvana.mod.gov.il to register
for your post-service benefits, including your discharge grant, personal deposit, scholarships, and additional
programs available to released soldiers.
Choose a Kupat Holim
If you are not already registered with a health fund, choose the one that best fits your needs so you can continue
receiving medical services without interruption.
Update Bituach Leumi (National Insurance)
If you are not starting work immediately after your release, notify Bituach Leumi to ensure your status is updated
and to avoid unnecessary charges or issues with your insurance coverage.
Inform Your Employer
If you begin working after your release, let your employer know that you are a released soldier. You may be eligible
for tax benefits, and your employer may need this information to apply the appropriate tax credits.
Apply for Rental Assistance
If you qualify for rental assistance, submit your application through the Ministry of Defense as soon as possible.
Some benefits have eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Apply for an Arnona Discount
Check whether you’re eligible for a municipal property tax (Arnona) discount in your city or local council, and submit the required documents to your municipality.
Note: The steps above are time-sensitive and should be completed in the first weeks after release.
Emotional Support 6 benefits
Release from the army is a significant life transition. It is normal to feel disoriented, lonely, or under pressure. Dedicated support frameworks exist for released Lone Soldiers — in multiple languages, confidentially, and at low or no cost.
Resilience Center — NBN-FIDF LSP
מרכז חוסן
12 subsidised therapy sessions in multiple languages (Hebrew and English guaranteed; other languages subject to therapist availability).
Phone (Israel)
02-302-7007
WhatsApp / Phone (Abroad)
1-201-246-6499
lspenresilience@nbn.org.il
How to access:
Kanafayim — Mental Health Support
כנפיים
Twice a year — Rosh Hashanah and Passover — Lone Soldiers receive ₪500 gift cards usable at various stores.
Phone
1-800-303040
09-957-4745
officewings10@gmail.com
website
wings.org.il
How to access:
ERAN — Emotional First Aid (24/7)
עמותת ער"ן
₪540 automatic monthly payment for Lone Soldiers who made Aliyah — paid directly to your bank account. Not available for Mahal soldiers or those who didn’t make Aliyah.
Amount
₪540 / month
Condition
Aliyah within past 5 years before draft
How to access: Paid automatically via direct deposit — no action needed.
IDF Benefits After Release 6 benefits
Benefits earned through your service, available to access after release.
Pikadon Within 5 Years of Release
פיקדון אישי
The Pikadon is a personal army savings fund that can be used for approved purposes such as studies, professional training, business funding, driving lessons, marriage, or purchasing a home or land in Israel.
Eligibility
At least 12 full months of service
Available
From 14 days after release
Use
Approved purposes in Israel only
Payment
Paid directly to the relevant institution, not to your bank account
How to access: Log in to your personal area at hachvana.mod.gov.il to check your balance and submit a withdrawal request.
Note: If you are living abroad, you can use a power of attorney (Yepu Koach) and the special withdrawal form available through hachvana.mod.gov.il.
Pikadon After 5 Years of Release
פיקדון אישי
If you do not use your Pikadon within five years of release, the remaining balance is automatically transferred to your bank account within up to 60 business days.
Important
Make sure your bank details are up to date in your personal area.
If your bank details are outdated: Log in to your personal area at hachvana.mod.gov.il → Pikadon balance → update your bank details.
You can also request withdrawal through Bank HaDo’ar (Post Office Bank). You have 45 days to collect the payment from Bank HaDo’ar before the amount is returned to your personal area.
Note: Cash withdrawals of ₪10,000 or more cannot be made at Bank HaDo’ar. If you do not have an Israeli bank account, email pikadon_5@mod.gov.il for transfer instructions.
Ma'anak Shichrur
מענק שחרור
Ma’anak Shichrur is a cash grant paid directly to your bank account within 60 days after release. You can use the grant for any purpose.
Amount
Based on your months of service and service type
Payment
Directly to your bank account
When
Within 60 days after release
Lone Soldiers: You can request an advance of 70–80% of the grant immediately after release by calling 03-6792888 or 1111 → extension 3.
Important: Do not change your bank account until the grant has been fully received, as this may delay or redirect the payment.
Teudat Shichrur BeKavod
כרטיס זהב
Golden Card is the official certificate. Combat soldiers receive a “Zahav” (Gold) grade; other soldiers receive a standard “BeKavod”. The grade affects eligibility for specific benefits — the Mamadim Scholarship, for example, requires the Gold grade for combat soldiers and standard BeKavod for special populations.
Issued
Upon release from active service
Keep
The original certificate for benefits applications, scholarships, and employer verification.
Gold vs. Standard: If you believe your grade is incorrect, contact your releasing unit.
Education & Scholarships 6 benefits
Education funding programs are available to released Lone Soldiers — from government tuition cover to private scholarships.
Milgat Minhal HaStudentim
מלגת מנהל הסטודנטים
The Student Authority (Minhal HaStudentim) tuition subsidy may cover part of university tuition costs for eligible released soldiers based on months of service.
Eligibility
Based on months of service
Benefit
Partial tuition subsidy
How to access: Apply through the Student Authority (Ra’ashat) of your university or via the Minhal HaStudentim.
Note: A Teudat Shichrur is required.
Mamadim Scholarship
מלגת ממדים
The Mamadim Scholarship covers 100% of university tuition for a BA, MA, or accredited arts certificate at recognised institutions.
Benefit
100% tuition coverage
Eligible
Combat soldiers with Teudat Shichrur BeKavod Zahav and recognised Lone Soldiers with a standard Teudat Shichrur BeKavod
How to apply: Apply through your personal area at hachvana.mod.gov.il → Benefits & Scholarships → Scholarships → Mamadim Scholarship.
Note: Cannot be combined with the Haravot Barzel scholarship in the same academic year. It can be combined with Periphery scholarships (Yiud 44 and 45) and private scholarships.
IMPACT! Scholarship — FIDF & AWIS
מלגת IMPACT!
The IMPACT! Scholarship supports released IDF combat soldiers from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with financial assistance for higher education.
Benefit
$4,000 per year of study
Commitment
130 hours of community service per year
How to apply: Apply through AWIS at awis.org.il/impact.
Note: Not available for Mechina, Bagrut completion, Open University, part-time studies, or students who already hold a degree.
Psychometric Exam
מבחן פסיכומטרי
Released Lone Soldiers are eligible for a one-time reimbursement of the full Psychometric Exam fee and up to ₪1,500 toward a Psychometric preparation course.
Exam
Israel's university entrance exam
Exam fee
Full reimbursement, one time
Prep course
Up to ₪1,500
How to access: Apply for the exam fee reimbursement through your personal area at hachvana.mod.gov.il before registering for the exam. Apply separately for the prep course reimbursement after completing the course.
Note: Current eligibility and application procedures are subject to the requirements listed by NITE.
Pre-Academic Mechina Olim
מכינה קדם-אקדמית
Mechina Olim is a preparatory programme for new immigrants entering higher education. Released soldiers may receive full tuition coverage for eligible pre-academic Mechina programmes.
Benefit
Full tuition coverage
Purpose
Bagrut completion or Psychometric preparation
How to apply: Apply through your personal area at hachvana.mod.gov.il → Studies, Training & Scholarships → Pre-Academic Mechina.
Note: Completing a Mechina extends the Mamadim Scholarship eligibility window by one year.
Heseg Foundation Scholarship
מלגת הישג
The Heseg Foundation provides tuition assistance and a monthly subsistence stipend to IDF Chayalim Bodedim who completed full and satisfactory service.
Benefit
Tuition + monthly subsistence stipend
Eligible
Combat and non-combat Lone Soldiers
Commitment
130 hours of community service per year
How to apply: Apply through the Heseg Foundation.
Note: Does not cover Mechina, Bagrut completion, or further studies for soldiers who already hold a degree.