The Minister of Family, Labour and Social Services, Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, has announced that cash support payments for those in need will begin on October 25. According to the announcement, social assistance for October will target needy military families and their children, widowed women, people with chronic illnesses, and orphans.
October Social Assistance Begins
Minister Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk stated that payments for needy families will start on October 25. The social assistance measures will include support for needy military families and their children, widowed women, people with chronic illnesses, and orphans.
Selçuk noted that families of conscripted soldiers in need receive support in two-month periods, and that a total of 32,000 beneficiaries will receive 25.8 million TL. She also emphasized that monthly payments to needy military children have increased by 50 percent under the program; in October nearly 2,000 beneficiaries will receive a total of 482,000 TL.
Support for Needy Women
Selçuk added that widowed women in need will receive support: in October approximately 90,000 women are expected to receive a combined total of 57.2 million TL. Orphans and children who have lost one or both parents will also receive assistance, with 41,000 children under 18 set to receive a total of 12 million TL in October.
People with chronic illnesses are included as well: about 2,000 beneficiaries with chronic conditions will receive a combined 3.2 million TL. Selçuk explained that assistance amounts for chronic patients have increased, noting that financial needs for chronically ill individuals have grown, especially during the pandemic. Social aid payments will be deposited into accounts starting October 25, 2020.
New Livestock Support Measures Announced
Separately, the government announced livestock investment support measures to be applied through 2022. Investments by individuals and legal entities in breeding water buffalo heifer production will be supported with 50 percent grants for capacity expansion, machinery, equipment procurement, and animal purchases.
Based on a Cabinet decision dated January 9, 2017, breeders acquiring up to 1,500 rams or male goats will receive 50 percent grant support. Additionally, to promote and develop small ruminant husbandry, selected provinces and conditions determined by the ministry will see small livestock investments supported at an 85 percent rate. Real persons and legal entities investing in breeding geese and turkeys with at least 1,000 head capacity will receive 75 percent state support for construction, machinery, equipment and other related expenses.
For beekeepers, membership in beekeeping or honey producer cooperatives and owning 50 or more hives will make producers eligible for 50 percent state support for investments related to honey production. Investments for silkworm breeding and development are eligible for 100 percent grant support.
To receive grant support, projects must be approved by the ministry. Once the ministry approves a project, the applicable percentage of the grant will determine the support amount. Payments will be made through Ziraat Bankası, which will charge a 0.02 percent service commission.