Under Law No. 657 on Civil Servants, a death benefit is provided for public employees. According to this legislation, when the spouse or child of a civil servant dies, eligible civil servants receive a death benefit. If the civil servant himself or herself dies, a similar payment is made to the family under the same death benefit provision. Both of these payments are classified as social assistance, intended to help ease the burden of bereavement and to contribute toward funeral expenses.
How Much Is the Death Benefit?
The amount of the death benefit paid to the spouse, child, or civil servant is equal to the highest civil servant salary, including additional indicators. For the child to be eligible, the deceased must be the family’s dependent child. This benefit is provided specifically to persons who are civil servants under Law No. 657.
How Long Does Family Allowance Continue for Children?
If a civil servant in the family dies, the children may receive a family allowance. However, this allowance is discontinued under certain circumstances, which are as follows:
- The child gets married,
- The child reaches the age of 25,
- The child receives a scholarship or is otherwise funded by the state for education,
- The child engages in commercial activity on their own account or on behalf of another person.
In these cases the family allowance is terminated. An exception is made for unmarried daughters who are 25 years or older; for them, the family allowance may continue.
During periods of active study, the family allowance continues even during holiday breaks.
In 2013, the death benefit was set at 1,402.9 TL. This benefit increases gradually each year.