Renewing the income test may be necessary in certain situations. The income test is determined by the family members for whom a person is financially responsible, and it must be renewed when the individual’s circumstances or household income change. Changes in the household such as:
- Birth
- Death
- Marriage
- Divorce
- A household member starting a new job
should be reported to the Social Security Institution (SGK) within one month. Unless one of these reasons occurs, the General Health Insurance income test renewal should be postponed for six months.
Who Are Considered Dependents?
Under General Health Insurance (GSS), the people a policyholder is responsible for are defined and taken into account during the income assessment. When determining income, the dependents covered by GSS include the following:
- Spouse of the GSS insured: Spouses who do not work or do not earn an income from their own work are considered dependents. If the spouse meets these conditions, they are entitled to health services. Continuation of this right depends on the legal marriage remaining in force.
- Daughters of the GSS insured: Whether a daughter qualifies as a dependent depends on dates and circumstances:
- If the daughter was born before October 2008, or the mother or father gained health coverage before that date, the daughter can receive health services until marriage, regardless of age or education.
- If the daughter was born after October 2008, or the mother’s or father’s insurance began after that date, the daughter is covered until age 18; if she is in high school, until age 20; if she is in university, until age 25.
- Sons of the GSS insured: Sons are covered until age 18; if in high school, until age 20; if in university, until age 25.
- Disabled children of the GSS insured: Disabled children are included as dependents regardless of age or education status.
- Parents of the GSS insured: Parents may be considered dependents based on the income test results. This requires that the parents have no other social security and that their income falls below one-third of the minimum wage according to the income test.
Who Is Not Considered a Dependent?
Even if someone meets the basic conditions for dependents, certain situations exclude them from dependent status. These include:
- Persons performing military service as privates or non-commissioned officers
- Students at reserve officer schools
- Individuals who receive continuous health care from their educational institution
- Persons imprisoned or detained in penal institutions
- Relatives of a GSS-insured person who are foreign nationals without residence permits
How Is the Income Assessment Performed?
The income test calculation considers the total income of household members included in the assessment: grandparents living in the same household, the spouse, and unmarried children. The monthly per capita income for household members is calculated. The income test examines various income and asset items, including:
- Total monthly income entering the household
- If the household owns the residence, one two-hundred-fortieth (1/240) of the market value of the property
- For any shop owned by the household, one two-hundred-fortieth of its market value
- For any land or fields owned, one two-hundred-fortieth of their market value
- If the household owns another dwelling, one two-hundred-fortieth of that dwelling’s market value
- If the household owns passenger or commercial vehicles, one one-hundred-twentieth (1/120) of their market value
- If the household has bank deposits, twice the monthly interest income is considered
- Any regular grants or scholarships averaged monthly
- Income from livestock (large or small) based on monthly estimates determined by provincial or district agricultural directorates
Deductions counted as expenses in the income test include the following items;
- Food expenses
- Tobacco expenses
- Other food-related costs
- Rent expenses
- Education expenses
- Health expenses
- Transportation expenses
- Average monthly clothing expenses
How to Apply for the Income Test?
Contrary to common belief, the income test application must be submitted to the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations (SYDV), not SGK. Documents required for the application are:
- Original and photocopy of the ID card
- Two passport-size photos
- Application form (provided by SYDV)
How to Check the Income Test Result?
You can check the income test result online, by phone, or in person at the relevant institution. The online inquiry is done through the e-Government (E-Devlet) system. Steps for checking online include:
- Visit the e-Government income test result query page.
- Click “Verify My Identity Now” to proceed.
- Available authentication methods include:
- E-Government password
- Mobile signature
- Identity card
- Electronic signature
- Online banking
- After authenticating, your income test result will be displayed automatically.
- Review the details of your income test result on the displayed page.
You can also inquire by phone via the Alo 170 hotline or visit the Alo 170 website to chat with consultants and request assistance.
How Much Are General Health Insurance Premiums?
GSS premiums that were 53 TL in 2017 rose to 81 TL in 2018. If the per-capita income determined by the income test is less than one-third of the minimum wage, household members can receive health services without paying premiums. The system aims to ensure no one in the country is deprived of health care due to inability to pay.
The obligation to undergo an income test was removed in 2017, yet in 2018 those seeking free health services were still required to have an income test. As of 2019, unemployed individuals are no longer required to take the income test: an unemployed person can pay the 81 TL premium to receive General Health Insurance coverage. In 2018, the per-capita income threshold for free coverage was below 676 TL; those below this level could use health services free of charge.