Details regarding the "citizenship salary" program, which is being prepared under the leadership of the Ministry of Family and Social Services as part of the Income Complementary Family Support System, have begun to take shape. The first payment of the model, which aims to provide support to households whose income level remains below a certain threshold, is expected to be made in the first quarter of 2027.
According to the plan being worked on, the program aims to reach approximately 2.5 million households in the first phase. While a budget of approximately 1.5 trillion liras is envisioned for the program, the system is planned to be implemented gradually across 81 provinces.
The main criterion in the model will be household income. Accordingly, to be eligible for the citizenship salary, household income must remain below 23 thousand 552 liras, which is stated as the lowest pension amount. Families whose income exceeds this limit will not receive payments; the support amount will not be uniform.
HOW WILL SUPPORT BE DETERMINED?
In determining the aid, not only the income level but also the special conditions and regional needs of the households will be taken into account. It is envisioned that rental support will come to the fore in metropolitan areas, natural gas and electricity subsidies will be prioritized in cold regions, and basic consumption and food support will be implemented in rural areas.
Prioritizing households with individuals in need of constant care, chronic patients, and elderly people living alone is also among the planned topics. In determining eligibility, it is expected that the existing database of Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations, as well as records from the Social Security Institution (SGK), the Revenue Administration, the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre, and bank account transactions, will be utilized.
Applications are planned to be accepted via e-Government and Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations after the legal regulation is submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. It is envisioned that a "Citizenship Salary Card" will be issued to eligible citizens and that the support will be collected on this card.
It is stated that a portion of the balance provided with the card can be withdrawn as cash, and a portion can be used to purchase basic food and cleaning products from contracted points. In the system, it is planned that household incomes will be checked electronically every month, and payments to households that exceed the income threshold will be automatically terminated.
The application is aimed to be launched first in pilot regions, with pilot provinces to be determined by the end of 2026, and to be expanded nationwide within 2027.
News Source: 12punto
