Region-Specific Pension Program (RSP) Under the Article 2 Fund: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for this payment?

Jewish Holocaust Survivors who:

  • were at least three months in the Siege of Leningrad; OR
  • lived between April 1, 1941 and August 31, 1944 at least three months under Axis occupation within the borders of Romania as they were on April 1, 1941; OR
  • lived at least three months in France in hiding, including with access to the outside world; and
  • meet the asset and income criteria; and
  • Do not receive a pension as compensation for persecution during the Holocaust.

If I receive a pension from the Claims Conference (Article 2), the Israeli Authority for the Rights of Holocaust Survivors, or BEG, am I eligible?

You are not eligible for the Region-specific Pension Program if you receive a pension as compensation for Nazi persecution.

Do I have to file a claims form to receive this payment?

Depending on whether you have applied in the past you may have to fill out a new form; if you applied in the past, we might still require additional or updated information. The Claims Conference is mailing personalized pre-populated forms/letters to potentially eligible survivors. If you think you are eligible and did NOT receive a letter in the mail by November 30, 2021, please contact us.

How do I obtain an application form?

The Claims Conference is mailing personalized pre-populated forms/letters to all potentially eligible survivors. If you think you are eligible and did NOT receive a letter in the mail by November 30, 2021, please contact us.

How can I send in my application form?

Via Fax:

  • +1-332-900-1668 (United States)
  • +972-03-624-1056 (Tel Aviv)
  • +49-69-9707-0140 (Frankfurt)

Via Email:

  • cprograms@claimscon.org (United States)
  • Infodesk@claimscon.org (Tel Aviv)
  • A2-HF-CEEF2@claimscon.org (Frankfurt)

How much money will I receive?

  • The Region-specific Pension Program will pay €417 ($451) per month. Payments will be made quarterly.
  • Eligible applicants who were born 1928 or later will also receive a one-time payment of €2,500 ($2,930) from the Child Survivor Fund as well.

Is there a deadline for applying?

  • There is no deadline to apply for this pension.

If I am approved for the Region-specific Pension Program will I also receive the second payment under Hardship Fund Supplemental?

  • No. Once approved for the Region-specific Pension Program, claimants cannot receive the second Hardship Supplemental payment.

If I have yet to receive the first Hardship Fund Supplemental payment, but I think that I am eligible for the Region-specific Pension Program program, will I receive the first HFS payment?

  • Yes, claimants who were eligible for HFS payment, will receive the first payment, even if they have applied for the Region-specific Pension Program pension prior to receiving the HFS first payment.

If I am an authorized representative, may I submit an address change for a claimant?

  • Yes.  In addition, we require that you mail us a copy of the following:
    • A photocopy of a document granting legal guardianship/power of attorney;
    • A photocopy of the authorized representative’s government-issued ID;
    • A copy of the claimant’s government-issued ID; and
    • A completed Doctor’s form (www.claimscon.org/doctor).

If I am a child or spouse of a Region-specific Pension Program applicant, may I receive these payments?

  • No, the payments under the Region-specific Pension Program may be paid to eligible survivors only.

Are there any heir payments?

  • Yes, if the survivor applied and is found eligible but passes away before the payment could be made, the surviving spouse may be entitled.  If there is no surviving spouse, children may be eligible.  No other heirs are eligible.  Surviving spouses and children should contact the Claims Conference. 
  • Unlike the Article 2 Fund, there is no spouse fund pension under the Region-specific Pension Program.

Are spouses eligible for a spouse fund pension?

  • Under the Region-specific Pension Program, there is no pension for spouses.

Does my application need to be certified?

  • Your form will explicitly state if it needs to be certified, or if we require various additional documents. If you have any questions about your specific application after receiving it, please contact us at:

Via Phone:

  • +1-646-536-9100 (United States)
  • +972-(3)-519-4400 (Tel Aviv from outside Israel)
  • 03-519-4400 (Tel Aviv from within Israel)
  • +49 69 970 7010 (Frankfurt)

Via Email:

  • cprograms@claimscon.org (United States)
  • Infodesk@claimscon.org (Tel Aviv)
  • A2-HF-CEEF2@claimscon.org (Frankfurt)

Can this pension be paid to me by a check?

  • No, we are not able to send checks, you must have a bank account opened in your name.

Do you need my bank information?

  • Yes, payments will be wired to your bank account. Information will be requested when the claim is approved.

Is there an income/asset limit for this pension?

Do I need a lawyer to apply to this fund?

  • You do not need a lawyer to apply for the payments under the Region-specific Pension Program.

Is there a fee to obtain an application?

  • There is no fee to apply to the Region-specific Pension Program.

I think that I’m eligible, but I never applied to the Claims Conference before?