Part-time work allowance after birth and adoption is the benefit paid to individuals who take unpaid leave equal to half of their weekly working hours. Eligible workers can receive this allowance if they meet the required conditions. The part-time work allowance after birth and adoption is defined under the Labor Law.
This allowance aims to help working parents, especially mothers, balance time with their child while continuing their job. For 2020 the daily amount of the allowance was 98.10 TRY. For a 15-day period the gross amount equals 1,471.50 TRY. A stamp tax at the rate of 0.759% is deducted from this amount, so the net payment for 15 days is 1,460.33 TRY.
How Long Is Part-Time Work?
The duration of part-time work varies depending on the number of births. The periods are as follows:
- Those having their first birth are entitled to 60 days of part-time work.
- For the second birth, the period is 120 days.
- For the third and subsequent births, the part-time work period is 180 days.
- For multiple births, an additional 30 days is added to the part-time work period.
- If the newborn child has a disability, part-time work may be granted for up to 360 days.
How Long Is the Allowance Paid?
The payment durations for those receiving the part-time work allowance are given below:
- For the first birth, the allowance is paid for 30 days.
- For the second birth, the allowance is paid for 60 days.
- For the third and subsequent births, the allowance can be received for 90 days.
- For a child with a disability, the allowance is payable for 180 days.
- For multiple births, an additional 15 days of allowance is paid for each extra 30 days added to the part-time work period.
Who Can Benefit from the Part-Time Work Allowance After Birth and Adoption?
The allowance can be claimed after the end of maternity leave or when a child under three years old is adopted. It is available to both women and men who meet the eligibility requirements.
What Are the Conditions to Qualify for the Allowance?
Applicants must meet the following conditions:
- The employee must have at least 600 days of unemployment insurance premium contributions recorded in the three years prior to the birth or adoption date.
- The child subject to birth or adoption must be alive.
- The employee must actually work half of the required weekly working time during the period.
- An application for the part-time work allowance must be submitted. Applicants are required to apply to İŞKUR within 30 days after the end of maternity leave.
How Is the Part-Time Work Certificate Filled Out?
The part-time work certificate should include the following information:
- Employer details: workplace name, Social Security Institution workplace registration number, scope of the workplace, workplace fund registration number if applicable, and workplace contact information.
- Employee details: national ID number, full name and, if applicable, fund registration number.
- Child’s details: birth or adoption date, full name and national ID number.
- Which birth or adoption number the application concerns must be indicated.
- Whether the child has a disability should be stated.
- The date maternity leave ended must be recorded.
- The start and end dates of the part-time work period must be specified.
- The employee’s contact information should be provided.
- Both the employer’s and the employee’s signatures are required at the bottom of the certificate. Two copies of the certificate should be completed: one retained by the employer and one kept by the employee.
How to Apply for the Part-Time Work Allowance
Applicants must wait until their maternity leave has ended and then apply within 30 days. They should submit their application to the nearest İŞKUR office and present the part-time work certificate. Meeting the application deadline is important: except for force majeure, if the 30-day deadline is missed the payable allowance period may be reduced.
What Services Are Provided to Allowance Recipients?
Individuals who qualify for the part-time work allowance receive the following:
- Their entitled part-time work allowance for birth or adoption.
- During the allowance period, contributions for disability, old-age and death insurance, and general health insurance premiums are paid. Both employee and employer shares are covered. Contributions for disability, old-age and death insurance are paid at 20% of the minimum wage, and the general health insurance premium is paid at 12.5%, resulting in a combined contribution rate of 32.5% based on the minimum wage.
Can Allowance Recipients Use Health Services?
Yes. Individuals receiving the part-time work allowance are covered by general health insurance during the payment period; the Unemployment Insurance Fund pays these premiums. Persons who are dependents of the allowance recipient are also covered by general health insurance during this time.
Because disability, old-age and death insurance premiums are paid during this period, the allowance period is also counted toward retirement qualifications.
How Are Holidays Treated During the Allowance Period?
On weekly rest days, national holidays and public holidays, payments for allowance recipients are made by the employer and İŞKUR and are proportional to the part-time working period.
How Is the Allowance Amount Determined?
The allowance amount is not based on the employee’s actual salary. It is calculated on the gross daily minimum wage in effect during the relevant period.
Are Deductions Made from the Allowance?
Only stamp tax is deducted from the part-time work allowance. The allowance is not subject to other taxes or deductions.
When Is the Allowance Paid?
The part-time work allowance is paid in the month following the month in which the monthly premium and service document for the worked period is prepared. For example, if part-time work is performed in February, the payment is made in April.
How Is the Allowance Collected?
The allowance is paid at PTT branches. Recipients can collect the payment by presenting their identification at any PTT branch.
When Can the Allowance Be Suspended?
The allowance may be suspended in the following situations:
- If the recipient becomes entitled to temporary incapacity benefit, the part-time work allowance is suspended for the duration of that benefit.
- If the child for whom the allowance is received dies, or if the adopted child’s adoption is legally reversed, the allowance cannot continue.
- If it is found that the person on half-time unpaid leave is working in another job, the allowance will be cut off.
- If the employee leaves their job, they cannot receive the part-time work allowance for that period while they are no longer employed at the workplace.