The Unemployment Insurance is one of the social insurance practices implemented in Turkey. If the insured unemployed meet the conditions specified in the law, the payment made for a certain period out of the period he/she is unemployed is called “the unemployment benefit” or “the unemployment allowance”.
In accordance with the Unemployment Insurance Law No. 4447, unemployment benefit is being applied throughout Turkey since 1999.
Conditions for Benefiting from the Unemployment Allowance
Unemployed people can benefit from unemployment benefits if they meet the following conditions:
- Being unemployed against his/her own will and fault,
- Being subject to a service contract for the last 120 days before the end of the service contract,
- To have paid/declared unemployment insurance premium for at least 600 days in the last three years before the termination of the service contract,
- To apply in person or electronically to the nearest Turkish Employment Agency unit within 30 days of the termination of the employment contract.
Application Process for the Unemployment Benefit
It is necessary to apply to the nearest Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) unit within 30 days after the termination of the employment contract. The application can be made by visiting the relevant unit of the Turkish Employment Agency in person or electronically at www.iskur.gov.tr. If no application is made within 30 days, except for force majeure, the delay in the application is deducted from the total entitlement period.
In order for unemployment benefits to be paid, the insured unemployed must be ready to take up a job. With the unemployment benefit application, the job seeker registration of the person is made or updated. Thus, it is ensured that the insured unemployed receive consultancy, job placement and vocational training services. Therefore, it is not possible to apply with a power of attorney, the application must be made personally.
Services Offered to Eligible Unemployed Person
The following services are offered to people who qualify for unemployment benefits:
- Payment of Unemployment Allowance up to 300 days (10 months)
- Payment of General Health Insurance Premiums to the Social Security Institution on behalf of the person
- Providing mediation services for finding a new job
- Vocational development, acquisition and training.
Duration of the Unemployment Benefit
The period of entitlement to unemployment benefit is determined according to the insured employment of the unemployed person before the date of unemployment. Accordingly, unemployment benefit is being paid for a period of time enlisted below in accordance with the employment history in the last three years before the termination of the service contract:
- 180 days for the insured unemployed who worked as insured for 600 days and paid unemployment insurance premium,
- 240 days for the insured unemployed who worked as insured for 900 days and paid unemployment insurance premium,
- 300 days for the insured unemployed who worked as insured for 1080 days and paid unemployment insurance premium.
