The Israel Defense Forces’ manpower division has launched a program to forge formal ties between army social workers and non-profit organizations that can help needy soldiers and their families.

The army is developing a plan to guide its social workers in dealing with agencies such as the National Insurance Institute and Social Affairs Ministry, as well as non-profit organizations, charitable groups such as Latet and legal aid groups.

The army already works with government agencies such as the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, but it has decided to take additional steps such as suspending confiscation proceedings for outstanding debts owed by soldiers during the period of their army service.

According to data provided by the IDF, one in five soldiers is in need of economic assistance, and tens of thousands receive direct aid during their time in the army. About 4,000 are entitled to assistance payments for their families. About 20,000 soldiers hold outside jobs in addition to serving in the IDF.

“There is poverty in the State of Israel that doesn’t bypass the army, and ultimately there are poor kids here and kids from poor families who are drafted into the IDF,” a senior officer told Haaretz. “The solution is economic and sometimes a lot more. Some of these kids don’t have a place to live, don’t have basic supplies at home, so we are creating an inclusive range of solutions that will allow the soldier to live in dignity.”

As part of the new program, the IDF intends to “pair” needy soldiers with non-profit organizations specializing in social welfare, including dealing with domestic violence, financial advice and free legal assistance.

“I am the one to deal with the soldier,” the senior officer said, “but there are a lot of other entities that can help. We therefore are of the belief that it’s worth referring the soldiers to those who can help them. Through cooperation with civilian entities, more can be done for the benefit of the soldier.”

Responding to the argument that the plan increases the burden on army social workers, the officier agreed that this was essentially true, but asked what alternative the army has and whether a soldier stationed at a post in the West Bank should be preoccupied by his bank overdraft. “When he looks up the line, he expects that they will solve the problem for him. The alternative is that he leaves his post because he doesn’t have food at home and goes AWOL. Ultimately we need these soldiers.”