Conditions for duty-related disability apply when civil servants become unable to perform their duties. Duty-related disability refers to state employees who suffer a work accident while on duty and, as a result, become unable to work. Some accidents qualify a civil servant as duty-disabled, while other situations do not. Not every government employee is eligible; duty-related disability applies to employees in certain occupational groups. The state recognizes a range of rights and privileges for those who qualify as duty-disabled.
What Is Duty-Related Disability?
Duty-related disability is a special provision that applies to citizens working as civil servants, not those employed by private companies or institutions. Similar to compensation for work injuries or occupational diseases in the private sector, civil servants who become disabled as a direct result of an accident at work may receive a duty-related disability pension. This form of disability pay differs in conditions and amounts from private-sector benefits and is reserved for Turkish citizens employed as state personnel. To be considered duty-disabled, a person must be a civil servant and must have become unable to continue their duties; otherwise, temporary incapacity reports and related measures will address the situation.
How Does Duty-Related Disability Occur?
Duty-related disability occurs while the civil servant is on duty — which explains the term. It refers to a situation in which a civil servant experiences an accident while performing official duties and, as a result, can no longer work. When a civil servant becomes incapacitated due to such an event, the state provides financial support: a duty-related disability allowance is paid during the period of incapacity. These payments are made by the government.
What Should Be Done in Case of Duty-Related Disability?
If a civil servant covered under General Health Insurance suffers a duty-related disability, an application must be filed with the Social Security Institution (SGK). In addition to covering hospital expenses, the state may also provide a duty-related disability pension.
How Is Duty-Related Disability Reported?
Reporting a duty-related disability should begin immediately at the time of the incident and then be forwarded to the Social Security Institution. Those affected must promptly notify the authorized institutions. First, the employer or the administrative authority where the person works must be informed. Within 15 business days after the accident, a notification must be sent to SGK. This can be done either by the employer or the relevant state authority. Authorized bodies must be informed without delay; otherwise, institutional responsibilities may be suspended and the individual may lose eligibility for duty-related disability benefits.
What Is the Notification Deadline?
The maximum period to report a duty-related disability is 15 business days. The incident should be reported to the employing institution as soon as possible — ideally on the same day. Notifying the Social Security Institution is mandatory and must be completed within 15 business days at the latest. If possible, the SGK should be informed immediately rather than waiting the full 15 days.
How Is the Duty-Related Disability Pension Obtained?
The duty-related disability pension can be received after the case is reported to the Social Security Institution. The report must be submitted in a timely manner, and the disability determination process begins with the medical report issued by the hospital. The pension amount is determined according to the disability percentage stated in that report.
How Much Is the Duty-Related Disability Pension?
The duty-related disability pension varies by year and by disability degree. The highest monthly pension amount is 4,342 Turkish Lira and the lowest is 2,388 Turkish Lira, depending on the disability grade. The highest pension is paid to those with 1st-degree disability, while the lowest applies to those graded 6th degree. Other monthly amounts by disability grade are as follows:
- 1st-degree disability: 4,342 Turkish Lira
- 2nd-degree disability: 3,907 Turkish Lira
- 3rd-degree disability: 3,365 Turkish Lira
- 4th-degree disability: 3,039 Turkish Lira
- 5th-degree disability: 2,713 Turkish Lira
- 6th-degree disability: 2,388 Turkish Lira
When Is the Pension Paid?
The duty-related disability pension is generally paid within up to 30 business days after the notification and the disability grade determination. Once approved, payments can be tracked through the e-Government portal. The system aims to deliver payments promptly to avoid further hardship; pension processing typically takes between 15 and 30 business days before the funds are deposited to the recipient’s account.
How Is the Pension Calculated?
The calculation of the duty-related disability pension takes into account the individual’s years of service. Up to 30 years of employment may be considered for the calculation. Applicants with fewer than 30 years of service may receive lower pension amounts in some cases. Early retirement and lump-sum disability payments are also calculated based on years of service and the determined disability percentage.
What Is Ordinary Disability?
Ordinary disability refers to disability that occurs for reasons outside the performance of official duties and applies to civil servants who become disabled due to incidents not related to their duty.
What Are the Increase Rates by Disability Degree?
Disability degree and the corresponding increase rates vary by degree. The increase rates are as follows:
- 1st-degree disability: 60%
- 2nd-degree disability: 50%
- 3rd-degree disability: 40%
- 4th-degree disability: 30%
- 5th-degree disability: 20%
- 6th-degree disability: 15%
There are six disability degrees in total, and the allowance increase depends on the assigned degree.
Who Cannot Benefit from Duty-Related Disability?
Individuals who are not eligible for duty-related disability are determined under the law. The following groups are generally excluded:
- Civil servants who were under the influence of recreational drugs at the time of the incident
- Those who were intoxicated during the accident
- Individuals who acted inappropriately at the time of the event
- Those who engaged in behavior prohibited by law
- Persons involved in or responsible for legally forbidden acts
- Those who attempted suicide
- People whose actions aimed to gain personal benefit
- Those who intended to harm themselves or others, or caused harm
For these reasons, civil servants who caused or were involved in an accident under such circumstances are not considered duty-disabled.
Under Which Law Is Duty-Related Disability Regulated?
Duty-related disability is regulated under Law No. 5510 and is assessed within the framework of General Health Insurance.