Türkiye introduces new regulation to support low-income citizens
Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Services head building in Ankara, Türkiye (AA Photo)
In a move to strengthen its social safety net, the Turkish government is consolidating existing social assistance programs into a single, unified system.
The new regulation aims to provide additional support such as rent and food assistance to retirees, minimum-wage earners, and low-income individuals.
Clarified criteria for social assistance
The Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance will work together to finalize the criteria for social assistance.
These criteria will be stringent and non-negotiable, covering various aspects such as household income and property ownership. This effort aims to prevent practices that hinder those in genuine need from receiving assistance.
By doing so, it will eliminate broad-brush policies, such as providing 25 cubic meters of free natural gas to all citizens regardless of income level, ensuring fairness in social aid, and reinforcing the concept of a social state.
Additional support measures
Retirees, minimum wage earners and low-income individuals will receive additional support, including:
- Rent assistance
- Food assistance
- Child care support
- Tax reductions for families with children
Streamlining aid distribution
Sources from the AK Party highlighted the need for a unified approach to aid distribution, noting that some individuals receive assistance from municipalities, nongovernmental organizations and various ministries simultaneously.
The ruling party emphasized that increasing the minimum wage can only enhance welfare to a certain extent, and the loss of welfare will be compensated through social aid. Citizens will feel the presence of the state through initiatives such as tax reductions after the third child and lower interest rates on loans for these families.
Affordable housing for low-income citizens
The government is also taking steps to provide affordable housing for low-income citizens. New financial models will be developed to improve access to housing, with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and TOKI leading the initiative.
