Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen attends a conference at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Nov. 8, 2023, when he was serving as foreign minister. Photo: REUTERS/Yves Herman

Israel’s Energy Ministry on Wednesday announced new discounts on energy costs for Holocaust survivors and other senior citizens as part of a new initiative to lower their financial burdens.

“Hundreds of thousands of elderly people and Holocaust survivors in the State of Israel live on old age pensions alone and have difficulty paying the bills and making ends meet,” said Energy Minister Eli Cohen. “Electricity is a basic consumer product. Heating the house in the winter is not a luxury, and we must do everything to enable the elderly to live with dignity. We will continue to help the disadvantaged populations, and work to lower the cost of living.”

Under the new rule, Holocaust survivors, senior citizens receiving pensions, and disabled individuals will be entitled to a 65 percent discount on energy consumption up to 400 kilowatt-hour (kWh) per month. This an increase from the previous discount of 50 percent.

About 120,000 Holocaust survivors currently reside in Israel, according to a report released in January by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

In Israel, there are 11 categories under which citizens of any age can fall and receive a number of discounts and benefits, such as the electricity discount. These groups include injured IDF soldiers, lone soldiers serving in the army from the Jewish Diaspora, and single parents, among others. Per the new guidance, those in the other eight groups will receive a 50 percent discount on electricity.

The move, done in partnership with the welfare and finance ministries, will be part of a new budget for the Energy Ministry, costing approximately 40 million NIS (about $11 million) of what the ministry says is surplus from other initiatives.

Based on data from the ministry and the electrical companies, this new discount should bring significant savings for Israel’s elderly. In Israel, the average household consumes roughly 667 kWh per month, costing approximately 350 NIS ($97). This means that Holocaust survivors and other eligible seniors will only pay NIS 157 ($43) per month, resulting in large savings over the year.

According to the ministry, the discounts will be implemented automatically due to data sharing between the electrical company and Israel’s social security system.