ARIEL 51 — I’m not sure who you are talking to,but takahmamash is exactly right. We made Aliyah about 2 years ago, so I am talking form real experience. The “sal klita” from the government is a nice addition, but it absolutely will not cover even your basic expenses. It lasts for about 7 months, after which you receive a small amount of rental assistance for the next few years (less each year) if you haven’t yet bought a house. The NBN grant may depend on your personal situation, but it is also not a ton of money (The amount we got from NBN did not even cover 1 months rent in our Israeli apartment!) I don’t know who said to you “they are not going to leave anyone flat without anything”, but that is a bit of a bizarre statement. Who is this “they” that make sure you have money? There are specific benefits to which you are entitled, and beyond that you are on your own. NBN can help you with job networking, etc., but if you can’t even afford the $1,000 or so for a pilot trip, I would strongly suggest you spend some time saving up for your Aliyah. There are MANY expenses involved in such a big move, even if you don’t plan on sending a lift. Also we found the day to day expenses here in Israel significantly higher than in the U.S. (water, electricity, phone and many food items), and of course after the first few months you have to start paying for your health insurance. You may be entitled to unemployment if you don’t find a job, but beyond that there aren’t really any “welfare” programs here equivalent to for example food stamps, WIC, low-income housing, etc. that are available in the U.S. If you want a successful Aliyah, it is important to plan realistically. Good luck!
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