The “Golden Shield” emergency program to help senior citizens is expanding.
On the occasion of Passover, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, which operates the program and the Friendship Fund, will set up a budget of NIS 8 million to expand it.
The additional budget will be allocated to assist the elderly and Holocaust survivors in providing basic needs.
The assistance activity will be carried out in collaboration with the Friendship Foundation, through the social services departments in the local authorities.
Senior citizens receiving service in social services departments and those who were in severe distress in light of the economic crisis during the Corona period will now receive assistance in purchasing food products up to NIS 2,200 per household through regular packages, food chain tickets, shopping vouchers for local shops or chilled dishes.
In addition, as part of the budget increase for the “Golden Shield” program, the following services are possible:
- Providing assistance for dental care of up to NIS 4,000 per household;
- Providing various medical needs, including medicines, medical equipment and travel for urgent treatments of up to NIS 2,000 per household;
- Assistance in paying rent of up to NIS 4,000 per household;
- Assistance with housekeeping, assistance with heating means, assistance with basic electrical products and assistance with basic furniture in the amount of up to NIS 3,000 for each of the categories.
The program will also help the elderly who are supported through clothing and footwear, alleviating loneliness and other needs.
Minister of Welfare and Social Security, Meir Cohen:
“We are working on all levels so that no one in Israel will suffer from shortages or loneliness this Passover.
We have expanded all aid baskets, opened nursing homes for senior citizens without a family backbone for the 10 days of the holiday and transferred an additional budget to the Golden Shield program.
I call on anyone who hears about a senior citizen who is suffering from shortages or loneliness to contact us at the 118 hotline and ask for assistance. “
President of the Friendship Foundation, Yael Eckstein:
“Passover is a holiday of renewal.
The economic crisis left by the corona plague among many elderly and Holocaust survivors does not allow them to regenerate and take care of themselves in the things that are important for their existence.
We are proud of the partnership we have in the important activities of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security designed to address basic needs.
We are grateful to over 600,000 donors who love Israel who allow us to contribute to the budget of this significant program. “
Director General of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, Sigal Moran:
“Using the flexible budget with the Friendship Fund is a very effective way to deliver quick and direct assistance to those who need it and therefore we decided to expand the ‘Golden Shield’ budget before Passover.
Along with expanding the food security project and our plans to alleviate loneliness, we make sure that every senior citizen in the country will have a happy spring holiday. “