How and Where to File a GSS Debt Objection: Sample Appeal Letter

This article covers where and how to file an objection to General Health Insurance (GSS) premium debts and how to obtain the objection petition for those who have GSS premium debt and wish to appeal.

How to File a GSS Debt Objection?

Applicants who want to object to GSS debts should first print the Objection Petition from the internet. The petition must be submitted to the authorized official at the Social Security Institution (SGK). Certain conditions must be met for an objection to be accepted.

The conditions required for filing an objection are as follows:

  • The applicant must apply in person to the nearest SGK office with an identity card and income document.
  • The person should appear within the scope of the Civil Servants’ Retirement Fund (Emekli Sandığı) insurance where applicable.
  • The Objection Petition must include a valid reason for the objection.
  • The petition must be completed fully and accurately by the person filing the objection.
  • Those who will not use the petition form must file an objection based on their Income Document results.
  • Income test results used in objections must show that per-capita household income does not exceed one-third of the minimum wage.

If the petition and required conditions are met, the objection will be processed. Approved GSS debts will be removed and the person will be exempt from GSS premium payments.

How to Write a GSS Debt Objection Petition?

Those who will object to a GSS debt should download and complete the GSS Objection Petition form available on the SGK website. People who believe a system error caused the debt, or whose household per-capita income does not exceed one-third of the minimum wage after an income test, can be considered exempt from GSS premium payments.

Instructions for writing the Objection Petition if you are considered exempt but still listed as indebted:

  • The Objection Petition form is available on the SGK website.
  • From the SGK homepage, go to the General Health Insurance section and select Forms and Petitions.
  • On the page that appears, click the example titled SGK General Health Insurance Debt Objection Petition.
  • The GSS Objection Petition form will appear; click Download to save it to your computer.
  • In the opening section, enter the date the GSS premium debt was determined in the dotted field.
  • Enter the date when the petition is written in the other date field.
  • In the third paragraph’s dotted field, state the reason you could not pay the debt.
  • Also indicate the date when this inability to pay began.
  • At the bottom, print your Name, Surname, Identification Number and date, then sign.
  • Deliver the completed petition in person at the SGK Directorate in your place of residence.
  • At the SGK office, state that you are submitting an objection to your GSS premium debt.

How to Check GSS Debt?

GSS premium debt can be checked by two methods: e-Government (e-devlet) and the Alo 170 hotline. Step-by-step GSS premium debt inquiry processes are as follows.

For e-Government users:

  • Open your browser and go to turkiye.gov.tr.
  • Click the Sign In option on the page.
  • Enter your identity number and password on the login screen.
  • After signing in, use the search box on the site.
  • Search for GSS Registration and Premium Debt Inquiry (GSS Tescil ve Prim Borcu Sorgulama).
  • The resulting page will display all details regarding your GSS premium debt.

For those using the Alo 170 hotline:

  • Alo 170 is the contact line for the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
  • Call 170 from your phone.
  • Inform the representative that you want to inquire about your GSS premium debt.
  • The officer will provide the necessary information.

You can quickly perform GSS premium debt inquiry via e-Government.

Use the e-Government or Alo 170 options to check your GSS premium debt. Knowing your debt status helps prevent future issues.

How to Check GSS Debt Through Ziraat Bank?

In addition to e-Government, Ziraat Bank’s website offers a service to check GSS premium debt for its customers. This provides convenience for Ziraat Bank account holders who want to view their GSS debts.

Steps for Ziraat Bank customers to check GSS premium debt:

  • Visit Ziraat Bank’s official website.
  • Log in with your Ziraat Bank username and password.
  • Enter all required information correctly.
  • Your GSS premium debt will be displayed on the screen.

How to Restructure GSS Debt?

Payment planning options for those who want to pay GSS premium debts are as follows:

For lump-sum payments:

  • No delay interest or penalties are charged for lump-sum payments.
  • Debts paid in full are reduced by 90% indexed with the domestic producer price index (Yİ-ÜFE).

For installment payments:

  • Debts paid in two installments are reduced by 50% indexed with Yİ-ÜFE.
  • Installment plans of 6, 9, 12, and 18 months are available.

For restructuring:

  • Those with GSS premium debt can restructure their debts via e-Government.
  • If the employer pays the GSS premium, restructuring can be arranged via the e-Sigorta system.

What Are the Conditions for GSS Debt Restructuring?

There are conditions for those who want to restructure GSS premium debt. Applicants must first complete an Income Test. After the income test, they can finalize restructuring procedures at the SGK office. Based on the Income Test results, interest and certain charges may be reduced under the new payment plan.

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“To start your restructuring process, you must first complete an Income Test.”

How Much Is the GSS Premium?

Those wondering about the GSS premium amounts for 2021 should note that GSS premiums are assessed based on the minimum wage. For 2021, the monthly GSS premium was set at 107.33 TL. If, after an income test, household per-capita income does not exceed one-third of the minimum wage, family members are not required to pay GSS premiums.

How to Pay GSS Debt?

If you have a GSS premium debt, first check your debt status via e-Government. After learning your debt, you can choose a payment method. GSS premium debts can be paid through contracted banks, the SGK website, PTT, and ATMs. Follow these steps based on your chosen method.

To pay via ATM:

  • If you are a customer of the bank, you may be able to pay without a card.
  • Select the SGK Payments menu on the ATM screen.
  • Choose the GSS Premium Debt Payments section.
  • Enter your identity number to complete the payment.

List of contracted banks where you can pay GSS premium debt:

  • Akbank,
  • Alternatif Bank,
  • Albaraka Türk Participation Bank,
  • Aktifbank,
  • Anadolu Bank,
  • Citibank,
  • Denizbank,
  • Finansbank,
  • Fibabanka,
  • HSBC Bank,
  • Halkbank,
  • ICBC Turkey Bank,
  • ING Bank,
  • İş Bankası,
  • Kuveyt Türk Participation Bank,
  • Odeabank,
  • Şekerbank,
  • Türk Ekonomi Bankası (TEB),
  • Yapı ve Kredi Bankası,
  • Burgan Bank,
  • Ziraat Bankası

You can pay your GSS premium debt at these contracted banks. They may offer lump-sum and installment options to suit your needs. If the bank provides mobile banking, you may be able to take a loan and complete payments via the bank’s app.

To pay by credit card via the SGK website:

  • Open turkiye.gov.tr in your browser.
  • Search for the Social Security Institution Card Payment Application (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu Kart ile Prim Ödeme Uygulaması).
  • The site will redirect you to the e-Government system.
  • Log in with your identity number and password.
  • On the page that opens, go to the Payment Transactions menu.
  • Under Query Type, select Other Collections and the relevant option.
  • The GSS Premium menu will appear, allowing payment with your credit card.
  • Only your own debts can be paid from your account; one credit card cannot be used to pay another person’s debt.

To pay via PTT:

  • Use a PTT ATM and select the SGK Payments menu.
  • Enter your identity number on the screen to proceed.
  • Complete the payment when prompted.

Choose one of these payment options to settle your GSS premium debts.

Can GSS Debt Be Paid by Credit Card?

Many people wonder whether credit card payments are accepted for GSS debts. Yes, you can pay GSS premium debts by credit card.

  • Open turkiye.gov.tr in your browser and sign in with your identity number and password.
  • Access the Social Security Institution Card Payment screen.
  • Enter your credit card details to pay the GSS premium.
  • Note that you can only pay your own debt with your credit card; you cannot pay someone else’s debt.

How to Cancel GSS?

GSS is mandatory under current regulations for all individuals to ensure access to health services. Employees insured through an employer do not pay GSS premiums directly; employers pay their GSS contributions. Individuals who pay their own premiums may be eligible for exemption if they meet certain conditions.

Conditions that may allow GSS cancellation or exemption include:

  • Being insured under categories 4A, 4B, or 4C,
  • Receiving a retirement pension at age 60,
  • Being awarded veteran status,
  • Dependent family members of Bağ-Kur retirees.

If these conditions are met, applicants can submit an Objection Petition to SGK to request cancellation or exemption from GSS premiums.

“To end your GSS process and initiate cancellation procedures, review the required steps and documentation.”

Is GSS Mandatory?

All individuals over 18 are mandatorily covered by GSS. Children under 18 can receive health services through their families. Adults over 18 who are not covered by an employer must pay their own GSS premiums. For employed insured persons, employers pay GSS premiums.

This article has detailed where and how to file a GSS debt objection and how to obtain and complete the objection petition.

Download GSS Objection Petition