Social Cohesion Assistance for Foreign Citizens in Turkey (ESSN)

What is the Social Cohesion Assistance (ESSN) Program?

The Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN), known in Turkey as Sosyal Uyum Yardımı (SUY), is a cash transfer program designed to support vulnerable foreign nationals. This program helps people living under Temporary Protection or International Protection meet their basic needs, such as food, rent, and medicine. It is a partnership between the Turkish Red Crescent (Türk Kızılay), the Ministry of Family and Social Services, and is funded by the European Union.

The assistance is delivered through the Kızılaykart (Red Card). This card functions like a standard debit card, allowing families to withdraw cash from ATMs or pay for items at shops. The goal is to provide dignity and choice to those living outside of refugee camps.

Who is Eligible for ESSN in Turkey?

Not every foreign citizen can receive this aid. To qualify, you must meet specific legal and financial requirements. First, you must be registered with the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM). Your Turkish ID number must start with the digits 99. Additionally, you must live outside of official refugee camps and have your current address registered in the population database (MERNIS).

The program targets those who do not have social security or significant assets. If any member of the household is officially employed or has a high income, the application will likely be rejected.

Specific Vulnerability Criteria for the Red Card

To receive the Social Cohesion Assistance, a household must meet at least one of the following six criteria:

• Single Females: Households consisting of only one female living alone.
• Elderly-Only Households: Households where all members are aged 60 or older, with no adults between 18 and 59 years old.
• Disabled Members: Households with at least one individual who has a disability of 40% or higher. This must be proven with a valid medical report from a state hospital.
• High Number of Children: Households that have four or more children under the age of 18.
• Single Parents: Households with only one adult (aged 18-59) and at least one child under the age of 18.
• High Dependency Ratio: Households with a high number of dependents (children or elderly) relative to the number of able-bodied adults. Specifically, a household where one adult must care for 1.5 or more dependents.

How to Apply for Social Cohesion Assistance

The application process is free. Follow these steps to apply:

1. Register Your Address: Visit the local Civil Registry (Nüfus Müdürlüğü) or the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management to ensure your address is up to date.
2. Visit the Application Center: Go to the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation (SYDV) in your district. In some regions, you can apply at Kızılay Service Centers.
3. Submit Documentation: You must provide the 99 ID cards for all family members. If applying based on disability, bring the original health board report.
4. Household Visit: After you apply, officials may visit your home to verify your living conditions and financial status.

Payment Details and Using the Kızılaykart

If your application is approved, you will receive an SMS notification. You can then collect your Kızılaykart from a designated Halkbank branch. The payment amount is calculated per person in the household. These payments are uploaded to the card every month.

It is important to keep your contact information updated. If you move to a new address or your household composition changes (such as a birth or death), you must inform the SYDV or Kızılay within 15 days. Failure to report changes can result in the cancellation of your assistance.

Reasons for Payment Suspension

The ESSN assistance may be stopped for several reasons. Common reasons include:

• A change in the household's financial situation or the start of official employment.
• Moving to a different province without notifying the authorities.
• The household no longer meeting the specific vulnerability criteria (e.g., a child turning 18).
• Obtaining Turkish citizenship.
• Leaving Turkey for an extended period.

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