6-month heating aid offer for retirees is in the Parliament: Who will benefit?

With winter approaching, the burden of natural gas and fuel costs on low-income households has come to the fore again.

With the bill submitted to the Parliament, it was envisaged to provide heating assistance during the winter months to retired and needy citizens who meet certain conditions.

Offer; It includes those who receive old-age and disability pensions, those who have permanent incapacity income, and citizens who meet the need conditions and are over 65 years old.

WARMING SUPPORT WILL LAST FOR 6 MONTHS

If the proposal becomes law, regular heating assistance will be provided to beneficiaries in October, November, December, January, February and March.

Thus, the support will cover the cold six-month period of the year.

ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO THE LOWEST RETIREMENT PENSION

In the justification of the proposal, it was reminded that the net minimum wage in 2026 is 28 thousand 75.50 TL and the lowest pension is 23 thousand 552 TL as of the July payment period.

It was stated that the incomes of retirees were insufficient to cover rent, food, health, transportation and energy expenses, and that periodic monthly increases did not provide permanent income security against basic needs.

It was emphasized that the monthly increases based on the general consumer price index could not cover the increase in energy and housing expenses alone.

'HEATING EXPENSES CANNOT BE DEFERRED'

In the justification of the proposal, it was pointed out that heating expenses are different from other consumption expenses.

It was stated that access to adequate warmth during the winter months is directly linked to health and living conditions, especially for older citizens, those with chronic diseases and disabled individuals.

In the justification, it was stated that "Heating expenses, unlike other consumption expenses, cannot be postponed or completely dispensed with."

'BEING JUDGMENT UNDER THESE CONDITIONS IS UNACCEPTABLE'

In the proposal, it was argued that the social state should ensure that retired and needy elderly people have access to decent living conditions.

The justification stated, "It is unacceptable for retirees who cannot adequately heat their homes in the winter, have difficulty paying their natural gas bills, or have to give up their basic needs to buy coal and wood, to be condemned to these conditions."