The government has good news for single moms. A new plan devised by the Industry, Trade, and Labor Ministry will extend benefits awarded to women returning to the work force to mothers who got pregnant through a sperm bank, widows, and those receiving alimony payments.
The benefits will be available to these women for three years after their return to work, according to Industry, Trade, and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer.
Mamon Magazine has recently outlined the plan, which raises the stipends allotted for day care, kindergartens, and private tutoring and funds 90% of payments for professional training.
Mothers already working will also be eligible for benefits if they add five hours to their work week.
One year ago Mor Ben-David, a 39-year old handicapped single mom, asked the ministry for funds to pay for a babysitter and summer camp in order to be able to return to work.
"They said I wasn't eligible because I have a slight handicap," she recalled. But on Tuesday she received a phone call telling her she was now eligible for benefits. "This will encourage me to find a job that suits me," she said.