Questions and Answers - Obtaining Arnona Rights

Dear Shoshanah:

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR NEW OLIM WHO WANT TO USE THEIR RIGHTS NOT TO PAY ARNONA? WHERE DO I GO? WHAT DO I NEED TO TAKE WITH ME? HOW LONG DO I HAVE?

Shalom

Thank you for sending in your question related to Aliya.

To obtain your rights for Arnona as an Olah / Oleh, check with the Jewish Agency as the rights change. You have either a year or two years, depending if they have altered the rights.

You need your Teudat Oleh (your booklet for claiming rights that you obtain at the airport), Teudat Zehut (your identification document) and your rental contract which must be in the name of the Oleh claiming.

You need to go into the Iria (municipality) in the city where you live. For Jerusalem this is opposite the Central Post Office, Rehov Jaffo.

You also need lots and lots and lots of prayers and often someone who knows someone to obtain your rights.

I lost mine, as did my husband for no reason in particular. After lots of fighting, turning to a few organizations and many, many, many prayers, we got 6 months back.

Although you are deserving of your rights, be prepared to know that there are situations where time slips by and you might lose your rights either due to time or no understandable reason. Olim now should all have Aliya counselors with the Ministry of Absorption, if you are not obtaining your rights, you can try talking to them.

If you still struggle, please email us and we will endeavor to put you in touch with someone who might help.

I wish you much hatzlachah (success - הצלחה)

Shoshanah