מערכת הביטחון הסוציאלי

This chapter examines changes in the social security system, the largest component ofthe social expenditure in Israel in the years 2008-2010. This system focuses onproviding allocations to a varied population groups. Despite the growth in parts of thesystem’s components in the past years, the overall expenditure is lower than that ofOECD countries and in terms of output it is lower than its average level a decade ago.In some areas of social security, changes were made, which increased accessibility toallowances and their overall level of support, especially with regard to the elderly andpersons with disabilities, and, of late, also for families with children and theunemployed. Conversely, the programs designed for people who live in poverty inIsrael provide very limited assistance. The limited assistance by the social securitysystem in various areas seriously restricts it ability to cope effectively with very highlevels of disparity and poverty in Israeli society.