According to IDF data, approximately 3,500 regular service lone soldiers are discharged each year, with one-third of them directly transitioning to active reserve duty. The IDF announced that they are preparing to increase housing assistance grants for discharged lone soldiers. The Ministry of Welfare stopped its housing subsidy assistance for discharged lone soldiers at the beginning of 2026. Committee Chairman MK Kariv: “We need to support all discharged lone soldiers in all areas of life after their release. We call for the renewal of all budgets but insist on finding comprehensive systemic solutions.”
The Committee on Immigration, Absorption, and diaspora affairs, chaired by MK Gilad Kariv (Labor), convened today (Wednesday) for a follow-up discussion on assistance for new immigrant lone soldiers and those without family support after their release.
Every discharged lone soldier is entitled to housing assistance from the Fund for Discharged Soldiers amounting to one thousand shekels. Additionally, new immigrant lone soldiers receive monthly assistance of 750 shekels from the ministry of Aliyah and Integration.
Lone soldiers without family support received additional housing assistance starting from their second year after discharge from the Ministry of Welfare, amounting to 5,000 shekels per year. This assistance was stopped at the beginning of 2026. The housing assistance component was based on emergency budgets transferred to the Ministry of Welfare due to the Corona crisis and the wars.
The cessation of the budget has sparked protests from organizations supporting young people and lone soldiers without family support, who claim this is basic and essential assistance for those who have no family home to return to after their release.
MK Gilad Kariv, Chairman of the Committee on Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs:
“The grant that the State of Israel provides to discharged lone soldiers for their first year after release is not very generous, and the assistance needs to be increased to match the current reality. We must insist on legislation that supports lone soldiers without family support. Until appropriate legislation is enacted, energy must be invested in the security system to increase grants for lone soldiers. Housing assistance for one year from the date of discharge is not enough to provide lone soldiers with an ideal transition from service to civilian life. We need to support all discharged lone soldiers in all areas of life after their release. We call for the renewal of all budgets but insist on finding comprehensive systemic solutions.”
Revital Ben Adret, Ministry of Defense: “We make no distinction between an oleh (new immigrant) lone soldier and a lone soldier without family support. Every discharged lone soldier receives a benefit of 12,000 shekels per year, subject to the presentation of a rental contract. This amounts to housing assistance of one thousand shekels per month. Out of approximately 3,500 lone soldiers discharged each year, about 2,900 utilize the housing assistance benefit. We are working to increase the funding to 14,400 shekels per year, which is assistance of 1,200 shekels per month. Additionally, we are providing the option for a year of housing assistance within a range of up to 24 months from the date of discharge.”
Major Sheleg Li-Or, Head of Lone Soldiers Department in the IDF: “We allow lone soldiers to continue residing in the Soldiers’ House for three months after their release. We also allow lone reservists to reside in Soldiers’ Houses for up to three months after the completion of their reserve duty. As of six months ago, approximately 1,000 regular service lone soldiers were discharged and immediately transitioned to active reserve duty. I would be happy to provide lone soldiers with an increased grant for housing support and for a longer period.”
MK Evgeny Sova (Yisrael Beiteinu): “It is necessary to examine how many of those eligible for assistance have returned to active reserve duty, as this is a population that continues to contribute to the country’s security even after their regular service discharge. It is appropriate to consider stipulating that active reserve duty will extend the period of eligibility for the housing benefit, so that lone soldiers serving in the reserves do not lose their assistance precisely during the period when they continue to bear the burden of service. The state must provide a fair response to lone soldiers without family support and ensure that their continued reserve service is taken into account when making decisions regarding their rights and the benefits they are entitled to.”
Alona Eilat, Ministry of Welfare and Social Security: “Our budget utilization has increased, and the number of service and benefit recipients has grown. We cannot continue to fund housing assistance due to budget cuts. This is the first time we are not operating this program in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing. If appropriate budget additions are received, we would be very happy to reinstate this assistance for lone soldiers.”
Committee Chairman MK Kariv summarized the discussion:
“I request that the Ministry of Defense provide a response regarding the increase in housing assistance and the extension of the eligibility period. We want to see the Ministry of Welfare’s assistance budget renewed, and we aspire to see this as part of a comprehensive assistance program for lone service members.”