Pregnant and unable to work? You may be eligible for pregnancy bed rest benefits from Bituach Leumi (National Insurance).
Eligibility criteria for pregnancy bed rest benefits
To qualify for pregnancy bed rest benefits, you must meet all the following conditions:
- You must be a resident of Israel and need to remain in Israel during your pregnancy bed rest period.
- You must be a salaried or self-employed worker.
- You must have paid insurance contributions for at least six of the 14 months before stopping work due to pregnancy bed rest. If you haven’t worked for six months, alternative qualifying periods may apply.
- You must have been absent from work for at least 30 days due to one of the following:
- A medical risk to yourself or your fetus caused by pregnancy (e.g., early contractions, cervix issues).
- Your job poses a health risk to you or your baby, and your employer could not provide a safer alternative role (e.g., horse-riding instructor, aerobics trainer).
- You are not already receiving payments for the same period from another source, such as sick pay from your employer or employer’s insurance. You can choose between using your accrued sick leave or receiving the pregnancy bed rest benefit from Bituach Leumi, as long as you meet all requirements. If you are receiving another benefit from BL, you might still qualify for pregnancy bed rest benefits under certain conditions.
Step-by-step guide to submitting a pregnancy bed rest benefit claim
If you need to apply for a pregnancy bed rest benefit, follow these steps to submit your claim correctly and on time.
Step 1: Submit your claim immediately
As soon as you stop working due to a risk pregnancy, you can submit your claim for benefits. Don’t wait—early submission helps prevent delays. However, you can submit within 12 months from the start of your pregnancy bed rest to remain eligible for the benefit.
Step 2: Gather required documents
You will need to submit the following documents with your claim:
- Claim Form for Pregnancy Bed Rest Benefit – This is the primary document to initiate your claim.
- Medical Authorization – This must be completed by an expert gynecologist. Additionally, you must include:
- Your pregnancy records
- If your work environment or job type caused the need for pregnancy bed rest, you may also need an authorization from an occupational physician.
- Employer’s Authorization (for salaried employees) – Your employer must complete their section of the claim form. If your job conditions caused your need for pregnancy bed rest, you must also include:
- A detailed note from your employer describing the nature of your work
- Your employer’s confirmation that no suitable alternative work was available for you
- Vocational Training or Rehabilitation Authorization – If you were undergoing vocational training or rehabilitation and insurance contributions were paid on your behalf, you must provide documentation from the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor verifying the location and duration of your training or rehabilitation.
Step 3: Submit your documents
You can send your completed claim and required documents using one of the following methods:
- Online: Fill out the claim in writing and upload it along with your attachments to the Bituach Leumi website.
- By mail, fax, or in-person: Submit your claim and supporting documents by mailing them, faxing them, or placing them in the service box at your local Bituach Leumi branch.
A gynecologist from Bituach Leumi (National Insurance) will review your case and may request additional medical details. If your medical condition does not justify pregnancy bed rest or your job does not pose a risk, your claim may be denied. If you believe your claim was wrongly rejected, you can consult BL about appealing the decision and/or investigate whether you are eligible for a disability pension.
