According to Dr. Daniel Gottlieb of Bituach Leumi, the proposed 2009 state budget will result in 40,000 additional Israelis living under the poverty level – 14,000 children.

The proposed 10% cut in the child allowance payments will impact large families, and it will result in an additional 14,000 children living under the poverty level.

The treasury’s proposal to raise the age to receive government payments from 70 to 85, without any consideration of one’s income, would result in 20,000 elderly people no longer receiving assistance. An additional 16,000 elderly, receiving payment to assist with their impairment, would no longer receive the government aid.

To date, widows receive NIS 2,300 a month regardless of their income. From now on, any widow earning at least NIS 4,300 a month would no longer be eligible for the assistance. 45,000 widows would be impacted by the decision, with many dropping to borderline poverty levels or below.

In addition, widows whose husbands were killed in work-related accidents receive additional assistance commensurate with their late husband’s salary. It is estimated that additional cuts in this monthly package will leave 4,000 women short thousands of shekels a month in government assistance.

Birth payments will only be made for a first child, which would leave 100,000 women without the birth assistance payment. 6,000 high-risk pregnancy women will only receive one-half of the assistance they are receiving today. It refers to women whom are bed ridden, unable to work during the pregnancy.

The director-general of Bituach Leumi (National Insurance Institute), Esther Dominsini says if the proposed budget is actualized, the result will be catastrophic for the weaker economic sectors, children, women and the elderly.

Welfare Minister Yitzchak Herzog is scheduled to meet on Tuesday with Finance Minister Roni Bar-On in an effort to prevent the government with moving ahead with the proposed budget.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)