Prime Minister Ariel Sharon directed the National Insurance Institute to pay the income support grants to those who receive old-age pensions and who are eligible for the former, before the Passover holiday.

The income support grant range between NIS 250-300 and will be paid following the Government decision, initiated by Prime Minister Sharon in the framework of the discussions of the 2005 state budget, to gradually raise old-age pensions for those who receive income support, starting at the beginning of 2005.

Given the delay in approving the state budget, Prime Minister Sharon has directed that National Insurance Institute pay accumulated balances immediately in order to ease conditions for the elderly ahead of the Passover holiday.