A law enacted in 2015 expanded access to birth grants so that even mothers who are not employed can receive payment. Many may be learning for the first time that the birth grant is available to non-working mothers as well. All mothers who give birth, whether employed or not, are eligible for this benefit. To receive the unconditional birth grant, an application must be submitted.
Where to Apply for the Birth Grant?
To apply for the birth grant, 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 Ministry of Family and Social Policies provincial directorate or to the Social Services Directorate. Mothers living in a district should apply to the district governor’s office (kaymakamlık) of their place of residence.
How Much Birth Grant Is Paid to Non-Working Mothers?
The birth grant paid to non-working mothers varies depending on the number of children born. The amount differs for first, second, and third or subsequent children. According to the current regulation, the grant is 300 TL for the first child, 400 TL for the second child, and 600 TL for the third and subsequent children.
Which Documents Are Required for the Birth Grant Application?
Mothers applying for the birth grant must bring certain documents. An application can be submitted at any time after the birth with the child’s identity card or birth certificate. In addition, the form prepared by the Ministry of Family and Social Policies must be completed accurately.
The form should include the following information:
- Applicant’s full name.
- Applicant’s Turkish ID number (T.C. kimlik numarası).
- Name and surname of the person who gave birth.
- Turkish ID number of the person who gave birth.
- Turkish ID number(s) of the newborn child(ren).
- Turkish ID number of the newborn child(ren)’s father.
- If applicable, Turkish ID numbers of the applicant’s other children.
- Whether the mother is a public-sector employee.
- Whether the father is a public-sector employee.
- If a parent is a public-sector employee, the amount of birth grant they have received or will receive for the newborn (to be completed by the institution).
- Applicant’s address.
- Applicant’s telephone number.
- Date and signature.
Completing the items above on the form finalizes the application for the birth grant.
Where Do Non-Working Mothers Receive the Birth Grant?
Non-working mothers receive the birth grant through PTT. The grant is collected from PTT without needing to use a bank. The mother must collect the money in person, as it is payable to her by name. This makes receiving the birth grant through PTT straightforward for non-working mothers.
Can the Nursing Allowance (Süt Parası) Be Received If the Spouse Works?
The nursing allowance, commonly known as “süt parası,” does not require the recipient to be employed. A mother who gave birth does not need to be insured to benefit from the nursing allowance. Homemakers whose spouses are employed can receive this allowance via their spouse’s insurance. The nursing allowance is designed to provide financial support to parents after birth. For the current year, the nursing allowance has been set at 149 TL.
How to Check Eligibility for the Birth Grant?
Eligibility for the birth grant can be checked through the e-Government (e-Devlet) portal. After logging in, type “Doğum Parası” in the search field and select the “Birth Grant Inquiry” option from the results to proceed. Alternatively, applicants can call the relevant ministry hotlines at 183 or 144 for information and assistance regarding the birth grant and related procedures.
What State Supports Are Available to Mothers Who Give Birth?
To encourage continued female employment, the state provides several supports for mothers who give birth. Employed mothers may receive birth grants, nursing and breastfeeding allowances, childcare (crèche) support, and part-time work subsidies.
The total support payable to an employed mother can range from approximately 7,500 TL to 11,000 TL, depending on the number of children and gross salary levels. Many working mothers research the available supports and the amounts payable per support type in order to understand what benefits they can receive.
The supports available to mothers who give birth and contribute to the workforce include:
- Part-time work support.
- Nursing and breastfeeding allowance.
- Sick leave (maternity leave) allowance.
- Caregiver allowance.
- Child allowance.
What Is Part-Time Work Support?
Part-time work support allows women to work part-time after childbirth while retaining their employment. Employers and İŞKUR share the payment so that part-time working mothers receive a full salary. To benefit from this support, the child must be under three years old. If a woman uses this right, she loses daily breastfeeding leave; however, she can choose to allow her spouse to use this support instead.
What Is the Nursing and Breastfeeding Allowance?
The nursing allowance is a payment from the state to the mother or her spouse. To receive it through employment insurance, the parent must be registered with SGK or Bağ-Kur and have paid at least 120 days of contributions. Applications are accepted at the provincial directorates of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services and at Social Services Directorates. When applying in person, the baby’s identity card should be presented.
Applicants may also apply online using the newborn’s Turkish ID number on the ministry’s website. For 2020, the nursing allowance was set at 202 TL. Spouses may receive the allowance on behalf of non-working mothers; for employed mothers it is paid directly to them, while for non-working mothers it is paid via the spouse who is insured with SGK or Bağ-Kur.
What Is the Maternity (Sick Leave) Allowance?
The maternity allowance supports working mothers during leave for childbirth. Leave typically covers eight weeks before and eight weeks after birth, totaling 16 weeks; for multiple pregnancies this period can extend to 18 weeks. To receive this allowance, the mother must have paid at least 90 days of insurance premiums within the year before birth. For a minimum wage earner receiving the 16-week maternity allowance, the total support amounts to 4,424 TL, though the calculation depends on outpatient and inpatient treatment rates.
What Is the Caregiver Allowance?
Caregiver allowance is another support available to employed mothers. It is currently being piloted in selected provinces. In pilot cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Bursa, insured working mothers may receive support starting at roughly 300 to 400 Euros, approximated as 1,500 TL for calculation purposes. Receiving this allowance requires residency in one of the pilot provinces. If the pilot succeeds, the program may expand to other provinces nationwide. The caregiver allowance aims to help working mothers balance their jobs and childcare responsibilities.
What Is the Child Allowance?
The state provides a child allowance for children born on or after May 15, 2015. Mothers who are not employed can also receive this benefit. Without an employment requirement, the child allowance is paid per child as follows: 300 TL for the first child, 400 TL for the second, and 600 TL for the third and each subsequent child born after May 15, 2015. This payment is commonly referred to as the birth grant.