The National Insurance Institute of Israel (NII) said Wednesday that the past Jewish year saw a 37% rise in unemployment benefit claims, amounting to 80,000 people.
Year 5796 started on the evening of September 30, 2008 and will end on September 18, 2009.
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The NII attributed the sharp increase to the recession and the growing number of people who have lost their jobs as a result.
Unemployment benefit claims amounted to NIS 2.3 billion (approx. $603 million) over the past 12 months – a 22.5% increase from the previous year.
NII data also noted that the number of people on income support was 113,600 – a 4% increase, amounting to NIS 2.41 billion ($642 million).
A 3.5% rise was also noted in payment of disability benefits, amounting to 197,300 people.
The number of those filing for old age pensions was 188,538 – a slight, 2.7% drop from last year.
NII Director-General Esther Dominissini said that "the NII's policy is to bolster the social security of those affected by the financial crisis. Thanks to the amendment made to the eligibility criteria, we were able to meet the needs of more people."
The NII Research Center noted that the numbers "reflect the effects of the financial crisis on the Israeli market, showing a steady increase in benefit claims across the board."
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