One of the social insurance benefits applied in Turkey is the “breastfeeding allowance”.
Breastfeeding allowance is given to the insured woman if she gives birth or to the insured man if her uninsured wife gives birth. In addition, breastfeeding allowance is paid to the woman who is subject to a service contract or who receives an income or pension due to her work on her own behalf and on her own behalf, or to the uninsured spouse of the man who receives income or pension.
Insured employees who have worker for at least 120 days with a premium declared on his/her behalf are entitled legally to get the breastfeeding allowance, provided that the birth has taken place live.
The legal period of disqualification for claiming breastfeeding allowance is five years from the date of birth of the right.
In practice, the requirement to submit a petition to the Social Security Institution in order for the insured who are entitled to breastfeeding allowance to receive their allowance has been abolished. Breastfeeding allowance is paid automatically based on the breastfeeding allowance report seen in the online MERNIS population registration system and the MEDULA health database system.
“Breastfeeding allowance” is a very important regulation in its essence. This right, which was introduced with the 2008 Social Security Reform, is a good example of the social assistance mechanisms which have expanded considerably in recent decades in Turkey.
On the other hand, breastfeeding allowance is applied as TRL 316 (approximately USD 20) for the calendar year of 2022, and this rate has become quite symbolic in the inflationary environment. The maternity allowance needs to be updated and increased by a substantial amount so that it could be effective on the ground.
The Social Security Institution Board of Directors is legally authorized to increase the Breastfeeding Allowance.
