To receive government assistance, eligible families must complete the application process through the institution that provides the specific aid. As part of social welfare policies aimed at families facing financial hardship, various public institutions and organizations offer cash and in-kind support to cover basic needs such as food, supplies and housing.
Application procedures for assistance to poor and low-income families vary by institution, but most accept in-person and written applications. The groups typically targeted for government assistance include:
- Poor and low-income families
- People with chronic illnesses
- Low earners living below the poverty threshold
- Disaster victims
- Widows and orphans
- Relatives of martyrs, veterans and needy military families
- People without family or support
- Elderly individuals
- People with disabilities
WHICH PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO POOR AND LOW-INCOME FAMILIES?
The main public institutions that assist poor families include the following:
- Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services
- General Directorate of Foundations (Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü)
- Municipalities
What support does the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services provide to low-income families?
The Ministry offers a wide range of support for low-income households, from rent assistance to food supplies. In addition to aiding poor families, the Ministry provides financial help to individuals who require care and to widowed spouses. Assistance is delivered through the affiliated Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations or directly via provincial directorates.
Types of support provided through the Ministry include:
- Food aid
- Electricity bill assistance
- Rent support
- Clothing assistance
- Heating/fuel aid
- Educational support
- Widow’s pension
- Disability care allowance
- Special emergency assistance (SED)
- Orphan’s pension
- Pandemic social support payments
- Tuberculosis allowance
- Old-age pension
- Monthly allowance for needy relatives of servicemen
- Pregnancy and childbirth assistance
- Other targeted supports
What assistance does the General Directorate of Foundations provide to poor families?
The General Directorate of Foundations delivers aid focused on education, food and shelter. Alongside nationwide financial and non-financial assistance, the Directorate organizes regional campaigns—such as hot meal distribution in certain districts—to meet the varied needs of vulnerable people.
Support distributed through the General Directorate of Foundations includes:
- Soup kitchen services
- Food packages
- Education and scholarship support
- Poverty allowance for disabled, orphaned and needy individuals
- Foundation house services
What support do municipalities provide to poor and low-income families?
Municipalities offer a variety of programs designed to meet local needs. After applying to the municipality responsible for their area, low-income residents may receive support such as:
- Clothing and household goods
- Soup kitchen services
- Scholarships, education and stationery support
- Rent assistance
- Food and fuel aid
- Home-based elderly care services
- Newborn support packages
- Assistance for relatives of martyrs, veterans and needy servicemen
HOW TO APPLY FOR GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE?
Applications for government aid are commonly made in person. Applicants typically submit a written application form to the provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, local municipalities or district governorate offices. Once submitted, applications enter an evaluation process carried out by district officials or local headmen (muhtars) to determine eligibility.
If the applicant meets the eligibility criteria for the requested support, the assistance is approved and the application is completed. Each institution has its own application procedures; the sections below outline institution-specific details for applying.
How to apply for assistance from the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services
Applications to the Ministry may be completed through different channels. Some services are available via the national e-government portal (e-Devlet), while others require in-person applications at local Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations. For example, pandemic social support payments were processed through e-Devlet using the “Social Support Preliminary Application” form. For many types of food, education, health and other support, applicants should contact the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation responsible for their district to obtain and submit the required forms.
How to apply for municipal assistance
Applications to municipalities can often be started via the e-Devlet portal under the relevant municipal social aid system. Applicants can also apply in person at their city or district municipality to submit a request for assistance and complete any required paperwork.
How to apply for assistance from the General Directorate of Foundations
Applications to the General Directorate of Foundations can be submitted online through the Directorate’s official website. Applicants should visit the Directorate’s site and follow the instructions for the specific type of assistance they require to complete the application process.
HOW TO CHECK THE STATUS OF A GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE APPLICATION?
You can check the outcome of an assistance application online or by contacting the office where you applied. Each institution has its own methods for tracking and informing applicants about decisions. By querying the relevant system, applicants can learn whether they have been approved for the requested support.
Checking application status for Ministry assistance
To check the result of an application made through the Ministry, applicants can call the Social Support hotlines ALO 183 or ALO 144, or use the e-Devlet portal to view their application status and related details.
Checking municipal assistance applications
Municipal application results can often be followed via the municipality’s “White Desk” (Beyaz Masa) contact lines. Applicants may call the provided phone numbers or visit the municipality in person to follow up on their request.
Checking applications to the General Directorate of Foundations
Results for applications to the General Directorate of Foundations can be checked through e-Devlet or by contacting regional directorates directly. Applicants can use the e-government portal to view their case status and any related communications.
WHO ELSE PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO POOR AND LOW-INCOME FAMILIES?
Non-governmental organizations and charities reach people in need through the foundations and associations they establish. These organizations provide both cash and in-kind support depending on available resources and program focus.
Some of the foundations and charities that assist low-income people include:
- Koç Foundation
- Nef Foundation
- Beşir Association
- Mehmet Zorlu Foundation
- Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation
- Alp Emergency Needs Project Foundation
- Çare Association
- Kocaeli Humanitarian Aid Association
- Düşün Taşın Association
- Istanbul Chamber of Industry Foundation
- Community Volunteers Foundation
- Hacı Ömer Sabancı Foundation
- Turkey Street Children Foundation
- Alarko Education and Culture Foundation
- Endes Support and Aid for People with Disabilities Association
- International Humanitarian Aid and Education Association
Businesspeople and artists who support those in need
Prominent businesspeople and artists also provide financial support to households living below the poverty line. The eligibility criteria used by public assistance programs are often mirrored by private donors when selecting recipients.
Notable philanthropists and business leaders who have provided support include:
- Sinan Tara – Enka
- Ömer Koç – Koç Holding
- Hacı Boydak – Boydak Holding
- Murat Dedeman – Dedeman Holding
- Güler Sabancı – Sabancı Holding
- Hüsnü M. Özyeğin – Fiba Holding
- Ahmet Kocabıyık – Borusan Holding
- Fikret Öztürk – OPET
- Tuncay Özilhan – Anadolu Holding