Situations When Disability Pensions Are Stopped — Disability pension payments are discontinued when the recipient no longer meets the eligibility requirements. If the person later regains eligibility, they must obtain an updated disability report and reapply to resume payments. If the beneficiary does not withdraw the funds deposited into their account for a full year, the pension may also be suspended, since keeping the money untouched can be interpreted as not needing the support. Because this allowance is reserved for Turkish citizens, those who lose citizenship cannot continue to receive it. If a caregiver receives a disability relative’s pension on behalf of someone under 18 and it is found that the funds are not being used for the disabled person’s needs, the payment will be stopped.
When applying for disability pension, applicants submit proof of residence. During the period the pension is paid, the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation monitors the recipient’s address. If an address change keeps the person within the same foundation’s jurisdiction, payments continue uninterrupted. However, if the person moves to a different district and the responsible foundation changes, the file will become outdated and payments may be stopped unless the address is updated. The foundation conducts household visits each year, so payments can be suspended even if the recipient does not notify the foundation.
What Does Address Change Mean Among the Reasons Disability Pensions Are Suspended?
Address verification is part of the application process and the ongoing eligibility checks. If the new residence falls under a different Social Assistance and Solidarity Center and the recipient fails to update their file, the pension may be terminated. Because the foundation inspects known households annually, an undisclosed move can be discovered and lead to payment suspension.
Is Disability Pension Stopped in Case of Death?
If a disability pension recipient dies, their relatives cannot continue to collect the benefit. The pension is terminated. If the death is not officially registered and relatives continue to withdraw funds, they will be required to return the amounts taken, with legal interest, once the misuse is discovered.
Can a Disability Pension Recipient Voluntarily Give Up Their Benefit?
A person receiving a disability allowance may voluntarily renounce the benefit. To do so they must submit a written statement to the relevant authority declaring their wish to forgo the pension.
If Financial Need Ends, Will Disability Pension Continue?
If a recipient’s situation changes and they are no longer deemed in need, the pension will be stopped. The board of trustees can decide to terminate payments when they determine the person is no longer needy. Because the foundation’s integrated assistance system shows all registered assets of beneficiaries, the pension can be halted even without a report from the recipient if the fund determines the person’s wealth has increased.
What Happens If the Disability Rate Falls Below 40%?
Among the reasons disability pensions are stopped is a reduction of the assessed disability rate below 40%. Individuals whose disability may improve are issued time-limited medical disability reports and must return for re-evaluation at the end of that period. If new medical board reports show the disability rate remains above 40%, the pension continues.
If the rate falls below 40%, payments are stopped. Beneficiaries who hold indefinite disability reports but whose disability level has decreased, or who fail to report such a change, may be required to repay any benefits received in error with legal interest and may face criminal proceedings. Therefore, it is important not to conceal any decrease in disability level.
Can a Disability Pension Recipient Work as an Insured Employee?
Receiving a disability allowance while also having another income is prohibited. If a recipient is found to be employed with social insurance, their pension will be stopped, though they may be allowed to withdraw any remaining balance in their bank account.
Is Disability Pension Stopped After Marriage?
Marriage does not automatically terminate the disability allowance. If the marriage involves an address change, the recipient should apply to the Social Assistance Foundation for a reassessment and request a new income test if needed.
Failure to Withdraw the Monthly Payment for One Year
If disability payments are deposited but not withdrawn from the account for one year, the pension may be suspended on the assumption it is not needed.
Loss of Financial Need
If investigations show the recipient is no longer in need, the board of trustees may decide to stop payments after conducting its reviews.
Turning 18 Years Old
For beneficiaries who received a disability relative’s allowance as minors, payments will cease when the disabled person reaches the age of majority. The eligibility criteria for allowances paid to relatives of disabled minors differ from those for standard disability pensions.
Caregivers Living in a Different House Than a Minor Disabled Person
If parents or caregivers who receive the allowance for a minor disabled person do not live in the same household with the child, the pension will be stopped. Even if they live together but do not actually provide care, benefits can be terminated. If funds are not used for the disabled person’s needs or are spent for nonessential purposes, payments may also be suspended.
Loss of Turkish Citizenship
If the disabled person becomes a citizen of another country or is stripped of Turkish citizenship, they will no longer be eligible to receive the pension.
If a House or Car Is Purchased in the Disabled Person’s Name, Will the Pension Be Stopped?
Purchasing a car or a house in the disabled person’s name does not automatically result in suspension of the pension. However, following an income test, the value of such assets may be recorded as part of household income and could affect eligibility.