“Tash”: Everything a Lone Soldier Needs To Know

***This article was written in summer 2025. Some details (such as amounts) change over time. Make sure to always double check information in articles if they are not current.***

So What Is Tash?

Tash stands for Tnaei Sherut (ת״ש), which translates directly to Service Conditions. Tash is a unique support system designed to help soldiers facing economic, medical, or social challenges in their civilian lives complete their services as successfully as possible. The Tash system allows soldiers to submit requests to the army for assistance or leniencies to accommodate their personal and familial needs.

Example: A soldier who is an only child to a single mother with cancer may have worked and supported her before enlistment. Now, earning a limited army salary and unable to help at home, this soldier may apply for Tash support and potentially receive a variety of rights that will ease his or her situation.

Who Handles Tash Requests? 

Requests are managed by Mashakiot Tash (Tash Specialists) and Tash Officers, all of whom are identifiable by the purple cord on the shoulder of their uniforms. Mashakiot Tash guide soldiers through the process of submitting requests by explaining what documents are needed, how to get them, filing the request itself, explaining what benefits the soldier will receive if approved, informing them if and when their request has been approved or denied and more.

Every unit has its designated Mashakiot Tash. Within the first few days of arrival in a new unit, every soldier meets with a Mashakit and fills out a questionnaire designed to help identify potential Tash related issues. Following that questionnaire, requests are opened accordingly. In addition to that meeting, soldiers can reach out at any time to their Mashakit for help with issues as they arise or issues they hadn’t previously shared.

What is a “Lone Soldier”?

Unlike most militaries throughout the world, the IDF is a conscript army, relying heavily on soldiers’ families hosting and assisting their children during their army service. The IDF can pay its soldiers a minimal amount without worrying about their overall welfare, since most live with their families who can provide financial and personal support- everything from free housing to grocery shopping to doing laundry or other personal chores at home. 

One field of Tash requests deals with issues that arise when there are soldiers who don’t live with their families.

The term “Lone Soldier” doesn’t refer only to those who come from abroad to serve in the IDF, but rather includes anyone the army recognizes as lacking parental support within Israel. The army provides benefits to accommodate the Lone Soldier population.

What are the Lone Soldier benefits?

Lone Soldier benefits fall into three main categories- financial, housing (check out this article for a list of housing options), and leave/vacation.

Financial benefits- every Lone Soldier receives a bonus of 620 shekels a month to their salary, regardless of job or where they serve (with additional bonuses accordingly). Other financial benefits include a 150 shekel monthly allowance for groceries and a gift card twice a year for holidays (in recent years- 500 shekels each).

Housing benefits– When on leave, most soldiers return to their parents’ homes, while Lone Soldiers obviously cannot. Therefore, the army provides a number of housing options for Lone Soldiers. The most popular of them (and the least financially sustainable) is a rent allowance. Whichever option is most relevant, the Mashakit Tash will help submit the appropriate request.

 Below is a chart explaining each of the army housing options: 

Name	Description
Beit HaChayal (The Soldier’s House)	Functionally an army hostel. Lone Soldiers can live there for the duration of their service. Located in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Be’er Sheva, Tiberias, Ramat Gan, Eilat, and Kiryat Shmona.
Dirat Alach (Alach apartment)	Fully furnished apartments run by The Association For Israel’s Soldiers (אל”ח- האגודה למען החייל = Alach) for the sake of housing soldiers in need. Located in a variety of cities throughout the country.
Imutz B’Kibbutz (Adoption on a Kibbutz)	The kibbutz movement hosts Lone Soldiers in various kibbutzim, with access to all the amenities and activities on the kibbutz.
Rent Stipend	With a valid, legally binding rent agreement Lone Soldiers can be eligible to receive up to 1,444.3 NIS a month for rent and an additional 362.8 NIS for utilities. (The rent stipend is often referred to simply as 1,807.1 NIS a month- the total of rent and utilities together)- numbers accurate as of 2025.
Utilities Stipend	In the event a Lone Soldier lives somewhere without paying rent while participating in utility costs (family friends, foreign parent’s apartment…) They can be eligible to receive 362 NIS a month for utilities.

Name	Pros	Cons
Beit HaChayal ( The Soldier’s house)	3 meals a day, Staff on call 24/7, Centrally located in major cities, No additional costs, Social activities	Multiple roommates, High turnover of people, Army conduct rules
Dirat Alach (Alach apartment)	250 NIS per month grocery allowance, Area Manager for any maintenance issues. Fully furnished No bills	2 people per room (besides lone combat soldiers)  Army conduct rules
Imutz B’Kibbutz (Adoption on a Kibbutz)	Host family, Private rooms (besides specific locations)Weekend Meals/ allowance equivalent.	Less accessible by public transit, Only available to soldiers who spend weeknights on base, Army conduct rules
Rent Stipend	Independence	Expenses (food, upkeep, cleaning supplies, utilities)

There are a wide range of civilian organizations offering housing for lone soldiers, at a monthly rate equivalent to the total rental stipend (1807.1 NIS). All other costs are generally covered by donations. A number of such organizations are listed here

Leave/vacation benefits- (Please note that while every unit is obligated to allow Lone Soldiers to use these benefits, for the most part it’s up to the discretion of commanders when leave will be granted).

Lone Soldiers are entitled to an “Errand Day” (in Hebrew: Yom Siddurim) once every other month (in training- every month). A Yom Siddurim entails a full day off to take care of any personal needs or errands. What does a full day off mean? It means leaving base, waking up at home, having a full day off, going to sleep at home, and returning to base the next day. 

The army is understanding of the fact that Lone Soldiers who are not native Israelis rarely get to see their families. Due to this, the army offers a range of benefits relating to this matter. Lone Soldiers are entitled to a total of eight days off a year to spend with first degree relatives visiting from abroad. Lone Soldiers are also entitled to fly to their native country for a total of thirty days a year, generally spent as one trip (as opposed to traveling multiple times for shorter periods). Lone Soldiers are entitled to have their airfare paid for by the army/Alach once in their service, twice for combat soldiers. Additional flights and time off to see family may be approved by commanders, but not necessarily. 

During times of emergency (war), as a result of operational needs or during training, certain rights may not be made use of in accordance with the general guidelines.

When moving primary addresses, Lone Soldiers are entitled to two days off within a period of time before, during, or after the move. Many units may also provide assistance moving- up to the unit’s discretion and the resources it has available. There are also a number of private organizations, such as Nefesh B’Nefesh, who may be able to provide assistance.

As in many situations in life- much of what’s listed above is easier said than done. In practice, the application and utilization of rights is more complicated than just taking a “Yom Siddurim” once a month. As stated previously- leave is granted by commanders, who decide when and how their soldiers will leave based on relevant circumstances. It’s not ideal but it’s a reality. It’s important to use the rights you need while at the same time maintaining healthy relationships and communication with commanders. You are your own best advocate- decide what’s important to you, what your needs and what your red lines are, and pick your battles accordingly.

For assistance or information, the army’s Lone Soldier hotline (“Mercaz Bodedim”) is available 24/7 and can be contacted by:

-Phone, if in Israel: 1111, extension 2

-Phone, if abroad: +972-35691000

-WhatsApp: +972-529437725

-Instagram: @bodedim.idf-Email: Me.bodedim@mail.idf.il