With only a few days left until Ramadan 2023, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) will provide Ramadan food packages to households in need. Applications for İBB Ramadan package assistance can be made through Social Assistance Centers, and food-aid requests can also be submitted by phone.
To support families struggling to obtain basic food supplies, İBB distributes Ramadan packages for iftar and sahur tables. As part of the municipality’s social services, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria to receive this assistance.
Where to Apply for Ramadan Package Assistance?
To apply for an İBB Ramadan package, contact your neighborhood muhtar’s office. It is also possible to request help through İBB’s communication channels. You can submit an application for İBB Ramadan package assistance via the ALO 153 hotline.
Who Is Eligible for the Ramadan Package?
To benefit from the Ramadan package prepared by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, households must be classified as in need. Applications from households below a certain income level are more likely to be approved.
What Are the Conditions for İBB Ramadan Package Assistance?
To benefit from social aid provided by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality:
- Only one household member needs to apply; if approved, all household members can receive the support.
- An initial assessment is made after the application is submitted.
- If the application passes the initial check, a more detailed social assessment of the household will be carried out.
- Applicants who meet all criteria during the evaluation process may receive the support.
- If deemed necessary after reviewing the information, a household visit may be conducted.
- If an application is rejected, the household may reapply approximately six months after the notification date.
İBB Ramadan Package — Online Application
You can apply online for the İBB Ramadan package. Within the İBB Social and Economic Support Program (SEDEP), both in-kind and financial assistance are offered. After applying online for the Ramadan package, you can also track your application status online.
Applications can be made through the İBB Directorate of Social Services. For more detailed information, you can call the ALO 153 hotline.
To access supports offered under the Social and Economic Support Program, you can apply online. The online application process can be completed in a few steps. To apply online:
- Visit the İBB social assistance online application page.
- On the page, enter your name, surname, national ID number, date of birth and select COVID-19 status, then accept the agreement.
- Click the save and continue button.
- Provide detailed contact information on the next page.
- Complete the preliminary assessment information to finish the registration process.
How to Check Online Application Status
To check an online application:
- Enter the İBB social assistance page for the Social and Economic Support Program.
- Go to the application inquiry section.
- Use your national ID number, date of birth, name and surname to perform the inquiry.
- The application result can be reviewed on the same page.
What Supports Does İBB Offer?
Through the municipality’s social assistance portal, residents can apply for a range of supports such as IstanbulKart top-ups, suspended-bill assistance, reverse migration support, mother-and-baby packages, household goods aid, Istanbul Halk Ekmek and Halk Süt programs, family support packages, education support, newborn support and tablet packages.
Where Else Can You Apply for İBB Supports?
In addition to Ramadan packages, residents in need can apply for food aid, cash assistance, household goods, Halk Süt support, student assistance, neighborhood house services and education programs. Applications can be made at governorships, municipalities, district governorates (kaymakamlık), the Turkish Red Crescent and the General Directorate of Foundations. For ongoing food and heating needs, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services also runs active programs.
How to Benefit from İBB Suspended-Bill Assistance
Many low-income families struggle to pay utility bills such as electricity, water and natural gas. İBB’s suspended-bill system helps these households. Citizens who cannot pay İSKİ or İGDAŞ bills can place their bills in the suspended list online. Donors can then pay those suspended bills, and the payments are applied to the corresponding billing period.
To use the İBB suspended-bill service, follow these steps:
- Visit the askıda fatura (suspended bill) site.
- Select the “suspended bill” option and choose to leave a bill suspended.
- Provide your national ID number, name, surname, phone number and the utility company, then consent to the privacy and data protection statement and click to leave the bill suspended.
- Use the “track your suspended bill” feature to see if the bill has been registered in the system or paid.
- The same platform can be used to claim a suspended bill.