Cash assistance for green card holders refers to financial support provided to holders of the green card, a document that allows access to health services free of charge. Financial aid for green card holders continues in 2024. In this article we explain what a green card is, the eligibility criteria for aid, the types of assistance available, how green card holders can apply for cash support, and how to check payment status for green card assistance.
WHAT IS A GREEN CARD?
The green card is issued under Law No. 3816 following an income test for households whose per-person net income is less than one-third of the minimum wage. Holders receive free access to health services. In 2012 the green card was merged into the General Health Insurance (GSS) system and classified as the G0 group. To obtain a green card, applicants must apply to the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations (Sosyal Yardımlaşma ve Dayanışma Vakfı – SYDV) and undergo an income assessment.
WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS FOR AID?
In addition to holding a green card, applicants must meet certain conditions to receive cash assistance. The main eligibility criteria include:
- Being 65 years or older and not retired.
- Being widowed.
- Being an orphan.
- Having a disability.
- Being in need of long-term care.
- Belonging to a soldier’s family.
- Having recently given birth.
- Being unemployed.
Green card holders who meet any of these conditions may qualify for state-provided support.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO GREEN CARD HOLDERS
Assistance for green card holders is provided by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Social Security Institution (SGK), PTT and other relevant bodies. Some common supports are:
- Elderly allowance
Citizens who are 65 or older, not retired and hold a green card receive an elderly allowance paid monthly through PTT. Payment amounts are set by the relevant institutions.
- Widow’s pension
Women who are widowed and hold a green card may receive a monthly widow’s pension paid via PTT. Eligibility and amounts are determined by regulation.
- Orphan’s allowance
Children who have lost one or both parents and hold a green card may be eligible for an orphan’s allowance paid monthly through PTT.
- Disability allowance
Green card holders with an official disability report may receive a monthly disability allowance through PTT. The amount varies according to the degree of disability.
- Care-dependent allowance
Those assessed as in need of long-term care and who hold a green card can receive a care-dependent allowance paid monthly via PTT.
- Assistance for soldier families
Families of conscripts who hold a green card may be eligible for a monthly assistance payment through PTT.
- Birth and nursing allowance
Women with a green card who give birth may receive a one-time birth payment and a monthly nursing allowance. The amounts vary depending on the number of births and applicable regulations.
- Unemployment benefit
Unemployed green card holders who meet the requirements for unemployment insurance may receive unemployment benefits according to SGK rules.
- Food assistance
Green card holders in need can receive food assistance from SYDV, especially before major religious holidays or when urgent need arises.
- Coal support
Each year SYDV may provide coal or heating fuel assistance to green card holders in need.
- Housing and rent support
Green card holders living in unsafe or uninhabitable homes may be eligible for housing assistance such as home construction or prefabricated housing support from SYDV. Those unable to pay rent may receive rent assistance.
- Education support
Students who hold a green card may receive education-related support from SYDV, which can cover school expenses, stationery, transportation, meal costs, scholarships, or study loans depending on need and program rules.
HOW CAN GREEN CARD HOLDERS APPLY FOR CASH ASSISTANCE?
Applications for cash assistance must be submitted to the relevant institutions.
For example: allowances such as elderly, widow’s, orphan’s, disability, care-dependent, soldier family assistance, birth and nursing allowances, and unemployment benefits are handled by the Social Security Institution (SGK). Applicants can apply at SGK branches, via the e-Devlet platform, or by calling the appropriate hotline.
Supports like food, coal, housing, rent and education assistance are managed by the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations (SYDV). These applications can be made at SYDV offices, through e-Devlet, or by contacting the designated hotline.
HOW TO CHECK PAYMENT STATUS FOR GREEN CARD ASSISTANCE?
Cash assistance for green card holders is provided by several institutions with varying conditions and amounts, including:
- Ministry of Family and Social Services,
- Social Security Institution (SGK),
- PTT,
- Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations (SYDV).
To check the status of cash assistance, use the institutions’ official websites, the e-Devlet system, or their phone lines. You will need the green card holder’s national ID number and e-Devlet password. Some institutions also offer SMS-based inquiry options.
General steps to check assistance status:
- For Ministry of Family and Social Services assistance: sign in to the e-Devlet Social Assistance Information query page to view payment dates, amounts and statuses for elderly, widow’s, orphan’s, disability, care-dependent allowances, soldier family support, birth and nursing allowances, as well as food, coal, housing, rent and education assistance.
- For SGK-provided benefits: use the e-Devlet SGK Service Statement query to see payment dates, amounts and statuses for unemployment benefits and other SGK supports, as well as information on health services, medication and medical supply assistance.
- For PTT payments: use the PTT Social Assistance query service to view payment dates, amounts and statuses for allowances distributed through PTT, along with related assistance details.
- For SYDV assistance: access SYDV Social Assistance Information on e-Devlet to view payment dates, amounts and statuses for food, coal, housing, rent and education assistance, as well as other social payments managed by SYDV.
Using these channels you can easily check payment dates, amounts and the status of all types of assistance provided to green card holders.