Newborn child allowance is a birth benefit provided by the Ministry of Family and Social Services to mothers who give birth. This support, available to all eligible mothers, is a government payment intended to assist families with a newborn.
Child allowance is not the only support available to new mothers. Diaper and baby formula assistance are also provided. To receive the newborn child allowance, an application must be submitted. Bringing the required documents complete during the application will speed up the payment process.
Where to Apply for the New Birth Benefit?
To apply for the birth benefit, the application form prepared by the Ministry of Family and Social Policies must be completed. If the mother cannot apply in person, her spouse or a relative may apply on her behalf. Non-working mothers residing in a province can apply to the provincial directorates of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies or to Social Services Directorates. Mothers living in districts can apply through their local district governor’s offices (kaymakamlık).
What Are the Requirements for New Birth Assistance?
There are several conditions for new mothers to qualify for the birth benefit. These requirements include:
- The applicant must be a citizen of the Republic of Turkey to be eligible for the birth benefit.
- The applicant must apply personally or through an authorized representative; applications must be made to receive the payment.
- The birth benefit applies to births occurring after May 15, 2015. Births before that date are not covered by this payment.
Mothers who meet the conditions above can receive the newborn child allowance provided by the state.
Who Can Benefit from the Birth Assistance?
All mothers who are citizens of the Republic of Turkey are entitled to this support without additional restrictions. Holders of the Blue Card also qualify. Applicants should note the following important points:
- An application is mandatory to receive the benefit; without applying, no payment is made.
- No payments are made for stillbirths.
- Only Turkish citizens are eligible; foreign nationals do not have a right to this specific benefit.
- Civil servants, spouses of non-working civil servants, workers covered by SSK or Bağ-Kur, and other insured groups are all eligible for the birth benefit.
How Much Is the Birth Allowance?
The birth allowance varies according to the number of children and applies to both working and non-working mothers. Payments differ for the first child, second child, and the third or subsequent children. According to the referenced regulation, the newborn child allowance amounts for 2022 are as follows:
- For the first child: 300 TL.
- For the second child: 400 TL.
- For the third and additional children: 600 TL.
The amounts above are set by the Ministry of Family and Social Policies.
Where Is the Birth Allowance Paid?
The birth allowance is paid through PTT (the national postal service). Mothers can collect the payment at PTT without dealing with a bank. The mother must collect the money in person, using her name and surname, at the PTT branch.
What Documents Are Required for the Birth Allowance Application?
Mothers applying for the birth allowance should bring certain documents when applying. An application can be submitted at any time after birth with the child’s identity card or birth certificate.
What Other State Supports Are Available to Mothers?
To support women’s continued employment, the government provides several supports to mothers. Working mothers who give birth may receive benefits such as breastfeeding and milk allowances, childcare support, and part-time work incentives. The total support amount for a working mother can vary approximately between 7,500 TL and 11,000 TL, depending on child count and gross salary.
Many working mothers are unsure which supports apply to them or how much each support provides. The main types of support for mothers contributing to workforce participation include:
- Child allowance,
- Breastfeeding and milk allowance,
- Part-time work support,
- Sick-leave (temporary incapacity) allowance,
- Caregiver allowance.
What Is the Breastfeeding and Milk Allowance?
The milk allowance is a payment made by the state to the mother or, in some cases, to her spouse. To qualify, the applicant or her spouse must be insured under SGK or Bağ-Kur and have paid at least 120 days of premiums. Applications are handled by provincial directorates of the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services and by Social Services Directorates. When applying for the family milk allowance, the baby’s identity card should be presented.
Alternatively, applicants can use the infant’s Turkish ID number to apply through the ministry’s online services. For 2020, the breastfeeding allowance was set at 202 TL. The allowance can also be paid to spouses in certain cases; for working mothers it is paid directly to them, while for non-working mothers it may be paid via their spouse who is insured under SGK or Bağ-Kur.
What Is the Part-Time Work Support?
Part-time work support allows women to work half-time after childbirth while receiving full salary. The support is funded partly by the employer and partly by İŞKUR (the Turkish Employment Agency). To benefit, the child must be under three years old. A woman who uses this right will forfeit daily breastfeeding leave; however, she can transfer this right to her spouse if she prefers.
What Is the Temporary Incapacity (Sick-Leave) Allowance?
The temporary incapacity allowance supports working mothers during maternity leave. A total of 16 weeks is allowed—8 weeks before birth and 8 weeks after birth; for multiple births this period extends to 18 weeks. To receive the allowance, mothers must have at least 90 days of insurance premium payments in the year prior to birth. For minimum wage earners receiving the allowance for 16 weeks, the total support is approximately 4,424 TL, though the exact calculation depends on outpatient and inpatient treatment rates used in the benefit formula.
What Is the Caregiver Allowance?
Among supports for working mothers is the caregiver allowance. This allowance began as a pilot program in selected provinces. In pilot provinces such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Bursa, insured working mothers may receive support starting from 300 euros up to 400 euros. The caregiver allowance, calculated around 1,500 TL in some examples, requires residency in one of the pilot provinces. After successful implementation in pilot areas, the program is planned to expand to other provinces to help working mothers balance employment and childcare.
How to Check Birth Benefit Eligibility?
Eligibility for the birth benefit can be checked through the e-Government (e-Devlet) portal. After logging into e-Government, search for “Doğum Parası” and select the “Doğum Parası Sorgulama” option from the results to view application status and details. Other inquiry options include calling the ministry’s call centers at the official assistance numbers for guidance and information.