Lone Soldier Benefits
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.
IDF Welfare (Mashakit Tash)
מש"קית ת"ש
IDF social worker assigned to your base or unit. She is your primary point of contact for all rights and benefits.
Mashakit Tash abbreviation: מש”קית stands for מפקדת שאינה קצינה (non-commissioned female officer); ת”ש stands for תנאי שירות (service conditions).
Where
On your base
Covers
All welfare issues
How to access: Your Mashakit Tash will reach out within your first few days in the unit. Keep her contact saved and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Note: Look for the purple braid on the right shoulder — that’s how you identify a Mashakit Tash.
Your Monthly Pay & Stipends
Base pay + Lone Soldier stipends by service type — snapshot for the salary overview table
Monthly Salary Overview
Base pay + Lone Soldier stipends by service type
-
Base Salary
Lone Soldier Stipend
Risk Pay
Total
Non-Combat
Combat Support
Combat
Additional Monthly Stipends
₪372.39
₪1,482.49
₪150
₪400
Aliyah Related Stipends
₪540
₪750
For Olim who made Aliyah before: ₪402/month.
Financial 6 benefits
Grants, vouchers, and one-time payments available to Lone Soldiers
Food Stipend
כסף בחוגר
₪150 loaded monthly onto your army ID card (choger) — usable like a debit card at Shufersal, Shekem, Yesh Hesed, Co-op, and BE chains.
Amount
₪150 / month
Expires
Within 2 months
How to access: Automatically loaded — just use your choger at participating stores.
Note: Cannot be used for tobacco, alcohol, cosmetics, or perfume.
Holiday Gift Cards
כרטיסי מתנה לחגים
Twice a year — Rosh Hashanah and Passover — Lone Soldiers receive ₪500 gift cards usable at various stores.
Amount
₪500 / twice a year
When
Rosh Hashanah & Passover
How to access: Your Mashakit Tash will let you know where and when to collect.
Misrad HaKlita Grant
זכות ממשרד הקליטה
₪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.
Misrad HaBinui Grant
זכות ממשרד הבנוי
Monthly housing grant from the Ministry of Construction. Amount depends on Aliyah date. First payment arrives 13 months after Aliyah. Not for Mahal or those who didn’t make Aliyah.
Amount
₪402/month (before 01.03.2024)
₪750/month (from 01.03.2024)
First payment
13 months after Aliyah date
How to access: Paid automatically via direct deposit.
Housing Stipend
סיוע בשכר דירה
Up to ₪1,800 added to your monthly army salary to help cover rent — for Lone Soldiers who have signed a rental contract for their time off base.
Amount
Up to ₪1,800 / month
Condition
Signed rental contract required
How to access: Upload rental contract (with your name) to your Mitgaisim account, or give a copy to your Mashakit Tash.
Star Points
כוכבים
Digital vouchers loaded onto the IDF Stars card to purchase personal items such as underwear, socks, t-shirts, and sports gear from civilian stores.
when
14 days before your draft date
and through your the first year
Redeem at
Select stores only
How to access: Activate via the link in your SMS. If no SMS received, register at idf.mltp.co.il.
Housing 7 benefits
Housing options available to Lone Soldiers throughout their service
Beit Hachayal
בית החייל
Free army hostel for Lone Soldiers — from 3 months before your draft date until end of service. Includes free breakfast and dinner.
cost
Free
Locations
Beer Sheva, Eilat, Haifa, Jerusalem, Kiryat Shemona, Ramat Gan, Rishon Lezion, Tiberias, Yad Eliyahu
How to access: Speak to your Mashakit Tash or contact your nearest Beit Hachayal branch directly.
Kibbutz
קיבוץ
A rented room on a kibbutz — ideal for soldiers stationed on closed bases (home on weekends only). Includes furnished room, laundry, kitchenette, and shower.
Best for
Soldiers on closed bases
Includes
Furnished room, laundry, kitchenette, shower — all under rent
How to access: Email LSPen@nbn.org.il — we will connect you with a kibbutz coordinator.
Beit Lochem
בית לוחם
Private organization-run houses for combat Lone Soldiers include meals, shared living areas, community, and private bedrooms.
Cost
Covered by housing stipend
Examples
HaBayit shel Benji, Beit Koby, Lone Soldier Center
How to access: Check availability directly with each organization and your Mashakit Tash.
Lone Soldier Organisations
עמותות לחיילים בודד
Private organizations operating housing for Lone Soldiers in all unit types — combat and support. Typically includes meals, communal areas, and integration support.
Cost
Typically free
Examples
Ruach Nechona, La Casa Chayalim, Lone Soldier Center
How to access: Contact each organization directly or through Merkaz HaBodedim / Mashakit Tash.
Adopted Family
משפחה מארחת
An Israeli family volunteers to host a Lone Soldier — from Shabbat dinners to a room in their home. You choose the level of observance, location, and arrangement.
Cost
Free
Networks
Beit Cham, Yachad L'Chayal Boded
How to access: Email LSPen@nbn.org.il — we will connect you with a host family.
Dirat Alach
דירת אל"ח
Free, fully-furnished apartments provided by the Soldiers’ Welfare Association (האגודה למען החייל) across Israel. Includes ₪400/month for personal expenses.
cost
Free + ₪400/month expenses
After service
Must vacate after end of service
How to access: Contact Meitav before draft (or Mashakit Tash during service) to secure a spot.
Moving Assistance
מעבר דירה
2 days off from service to move. If the army cannot provide a truck, LSP offers a moving subsidy of up to ₪1,800.
Subsidy
Up to ₪1,800 (if army truck unavailable)
Notice required
At least 1 week before move date
How to access: Notify commander & Mashakit Tash weeks in advance – Apply Here.
Army Leave 7 benefits
Special leave entitlements exclusive to Lone Soldiers
Meyuhedet Chul
מיוחדת חו"ל
Up to 30 days per service year to visit family abroad in your country of origin. Usually granted after completing basic training.
Duration
Up to 30 days / service year
When
After completion of training
How to access: Speak to your commander and Mashakit Tash well in advance.
Flight Voucher
מימון טיסה
Paid round-trip flight for Meyuhedet Chul — twice for combat soldiers, once for non-combat. Available after minimum 8 months of service.
Combat
2 round-trip flights / service year
Non-combat
1 round-trip flight / service year
How to access: Request specifically through your Mashakit Tash — additional paperwork required.
Parent Visits in Israel
מיוחדת משפחתית
4 days off when parents visit during training; up to 8 days during active service. Friday and Saturday may count toward your days.
During training
4 days off
Active service
Up to 8 days off
How to access: Notify your commander and Mashakit Tash as soon as your parents confirm their visit.
Emergency Work Permit
מיוחדת כלכלית
Up to 30 days special permission to live and work outside the army to resolve a serious financial issue.
Duration
Up to 30 days
Condition
Serious financial hardship — bank statements required
How to access: Submit request through Mashakit Tash with 3 months of bank statements showing urgent financial need.
Yom Siddurim
יום סידורים
Day off to take care of personal errands — bank, doctor, government offices, and anything else that requires being off base.
During training
1× per month
After training
1× every 2 months
How to access: Coordinate with your commander in advance. Notify of any scheduled appointments.
Weekends Off-Base
יציאה לסופ"ש
Lone Soldiers must be home by 10:00am on Friday — this means arriving home, not leaving base. This benefit is automatic.
Time
Home by 10:00am Friday
How to access: Automatic — confirm with your commander. If not honored, contact Merkaz Habodedim.
Meyuchedet for Moving
מעבר דירה
2 days of special leave to pack, move, and settle into a new apartment. If the IDF cannot provide a truck, the NBN-FIDF LSP covers up to ₪1,800 toward professional movers.
How many
2 days
Days off – how to access: Submit your signed rental contract to your Mashakit Tash and notify your commander a few weeks in advance.
Subsidy – how to access: Submit the LSP moving request form at least one week before your move date.
Discounts 2 benefits
Utility and municipal discounts available to Lone Soldiers renting a private apartment during active service.
50% Electricity Discount
הנחה בחשבון החשמל
Lone Soldiers renting a private apartment receive a 50% discount on their total monthly electricity bill.
Discount
50% off total bill
Condition
Private apartment only
How to access: Call the electric company and state that you are a Lone Soldier.
Arnona Discount
הנחה בארנונה
100% exemption from Arnona (municipal property tax) for Lone Soldiers renting an apartment up to 70 sq. meters. Extends 4 months after end of service.
Discount
100% off
Apartment size
Up to 70 sq. meters
After service
Extends 4 months post-service
How to access: Visit local Iriya (city hall) with Teudat Boded, army ID card, and rental contract. Go in uniform to be seen faster.