Working mothers balance two major responsibilities: employment and child care. Especially in large cities, parents need reliable, trained caregivers. In response, the government launched a caregiver support program for working mothers. As of 2025, payment amounts have increased and program details have been clarified.
What Is the Working Mother Caregiver Support?
The caregiver support for working mothers is a state subsidy that encourages the employment of trained, insured caregivers so mothers can continue working with confidence. The initiative aims to boost registered female employment, support professional childcare services, and make working life sustainable for mothers. The program primarily covers children aged 0–36 months.
This support is run by the Social Security Institution (SGK) in cooperation with the European Union under the “Supporting Registered Female Employment through the Promotion of Trained Childcare Providers” project. The project began as a pilot in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir and continued in these provinces in 2025.
How Much Is the Caregiver Support in 2025?
In 2025 the caregiver support amounts increased significantly. The payment varies depending on the mother’s employment status, marital status, and whether the child has special needs:
- Full-time working mother: 510 Euro (approximately 18,926–19,308 TL)
- Single mother or full-time mother with a child with special needs: 560 Euro (approximately 20,779–21,201 TL)
- Part-time working mother: 255 Euro (approximately 9,462–9,654 TL)
- Single mother or part-time mother with a child with special needs: 305 Euro (approximately 11,317–11,547 TL)
Monthly payments are made regularly to eligible mothers included in the quota in the program provinces. The support period generally does not exceed 12 months.
Who Can Benefit? (Eligibility Requirements)
To qualify for caregiver support, working mothers must meet certain conditions:
- The child must be between 0 and 24 months at the application date (in some cases children up to 36 months may be covered).
- The mother must be employed in registered work (4/A), full-time or part-time.
- Residence must be in Ankara, Istanbul, or Izmir.
- The mother must employ a trained, insured female caregiver.
- There must be no first-degree kinship between the caregiver and the mother or child (in some cases relatives up to the third degree are excluded).
- The caregiver must be insured under Article Ek-9 of Law 5510 and hold at least an 80-hour childcare training certificate.
The program’s goal is to increase women’s participation in employment and ensure childcare is provided by qualified professionals.
How to Apply for Caregiver Support (Application Methods and Process)
The application process is user-friendly and largely electronic:
- Via the e-Government portal: perform an “Trained Childcare Provider” pre-registration online.
- After pre-registration, enter the required information completely in the system.
- Applications are processed by order and quota priority. If the quota is full, applicants are placed on a waiting list.
- When a place becomes available, applicants are invited to finalize registration at SGK or a project office and complete the second stage.
- All documents and caregiver eligibility criteria must be met.
- After approval, payments are deposited regularly into the mother’s account according to the program criteria.
Which Caregivers Are Suitable? Required Qualifications
Careful selection of the caregiver is essential to receive the support:
- The caregiver must be female and at least 18 years old.
- She must reside in the same program province as the mother (Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir).
- She should be a Turkish citizen or have an appropriate work permit.
- There must be no first-degree kinship between the caregiver and the mother/child (cohabiting relatives up to the third degree are excluded).
- The caregiver must have completed at least 80 hours of 0–36 month childcare training or hold relevant secondary/tertiary education qualifications.
- She must be registered for insurance (notified to SGK under Ek-9).
- A caregiver can participate in only one project at a time (job change or participation in another project is not allowed).
Covered Provinces and Project Duration
In 2025 the caregiver support is available only in Turkey’s three largest cities: Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. The program has limited quotas and a defined budget:
- A monthly quota of approximately 3,500 mothers and 3,500 caregivers.
- Priority is given to the earliest qualified applicants.
- A budget exceeding 15 million TL has been allocated.
Payment Period and Obligations
To maintain payments, beneficiaries must fulfill ongoing obligations:
- Caregiver wages must be paid monthly through the bank.
- Full-time employees must report 30 days of SGK premiums; part-time employees must report a minimum of 10 days.
- Any changes such as address or caregiver must be reported immediately to the project office.
- In certain cases (sick leave, birth leave, unpaid leave, job termination, etc.), failing to update information in the system may result in suspension or termination of support.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the caregiver support valid for only one child?
Yes. Each mother can receive support for only one child.
2. Do payments continue if I leave my job?
No. Payments stop or are canceled if you leave your job, take unpaid leave, or if your medical leave exceeds the program’s permitted limits.
3. Can caregiver support and maternity pay be received at the same time?
Yes. These are independent benefits. If the working mother meets the criteria for both, she can receive both payments.
4. Do applicants on the waiting list have a chance?
Yes. If there are vacancies in the quota or primary applicants fail to meet their obligations, those on the waiting list may be offered the benefit.