11 million people survive on social aid in Turkey

This is mostly attributed to the efficient system of social justice and solidarity as well as social aid delivered by the state, foundations and local administrations.

A recent study by the Social Security Agency concludes that 11 million people survive via social aid in Turkey. The General Directorate of Foundations delivers aid to 150,000 people whereas local municipalities provide monetary grants to 500,000 people in need. This constitutes 8 percent of the total number of people relying on state aid. According to the estimates, non-profit organizations provide aid to 250,000 people: public social aid amounts to $5 billion every year.

The Social Security Agency, which currently works to integrate the institutions and has studied social aid, has finalized its preparations for a bill envisaging the merger of these institutions.

According to the study by the agency, 2,112,000 households relied on social aid provided by the General Directorate of Social Aid and Solidarity in 2008 whereas 150,000 were supported by the General Directorate of Foundations in the same period. A total of 1.3 million poor people, whose monthly income falls under TL 87, benefit from various programs run by the agency. The number of people relying on social aid for survival is on the rise in Turkey due to deteriorating financial conditions. The General Directorate for Social Aid and Solidarity supported 7,872,871 people in 2008; the support includes food, educational materials, accommodation, conditional cash support and support for the handicapped.

The research also shows that 13 percent of Turkish people rely on social aid for survival. The social security agency supports people over 65 who need help. To be eligible for such payment, the overall monthly income of the beneficiary should fall below TL 86.41. As of 2009, 1,277,813 have benefited from this program.

Statistics further reveal that one out of seven people in Turkey survive thanks to this aid and support; on the other hand, local administrations and municipalities support 24 percent of those who rely on state aid. A total of 1.7 percent of the people in the same group receives help and support from local branches of the Religious Affairs Department.

Foundations support 150,000 people

The General Directorate for Foundations support orphans, poor students and the handicapped whereas soup kitchens provide food and meals for people in need. The number of people benefiting from soup kitchens reached 150,000 in 2008. Food and meals were delivered to the homes of 77,280 families by local branches of the General Directorate of Foundations which also paid TL 272.48 every month to 4,433 orphans and handicapped people. The directorate handed over 53 dorm buildings to the Education Ministry and covered all the expenses for 426 students housed in these dorms. Some 10,000 students also received TL 75 every month in scholarships from the directorate.

Social aid system to be centralized and integrated

Despite the issue of social aid being a major source of controversy during the negotiations and talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the state will not compromise on its position.

The IMF currently requests the integration of the social aid units and institutions. In consideration of this request, the government is taking action to centralize and integrate the social aid system. However, the administration currently faces disagreements between state institutions on this matter. The Social Security Agency has completed its preparations to merge different social aid institutions and agencies; the agency will refer a draft bill in this regard to the administration. The bill is expected to come into force by the end of the year. The bill envisages the merger of all public aid institutions under the supervision and control of the Social Security Agency.

The agency has been working to determine the exact number of people in need in Turkey; the work is almost complete. The government will rely on the conclusions and findings of this study and pursue its social aid policies based on these findings. Further measures to be taken in consideration of the findings will prevent the distribution and delivery of payments to unsubstantiated and unverified beneficiaries. The state will further focus on measures that will encourage needy people to pursue employment opportunities rather than provision of direct monetary help. The state will abolish the current practice of the green card given to people unable to cover their health expenses. People in this group will be provided with a general health insurance and their expenses will be covered by the state. The beneficiaries will receive health support on presentation of their ID number.

The elderly will keep receiving TL 200 every month and the handicapped TL 275. The social aid under different titles will be integrated and called sustenance aid. The amount of this aid will be determined based on the poverty line. Those seeking to start their own business will be eligible for a payment 40 times that of the minimum salary amount. This grant will be interest-free and repayment will start five years later. The recipients of this payment will repay the amount in 6-monthly installments.