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This year, the social team of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government (PT) carried out a review of Bolsa Família, implementing a series of significant changes.
These changes not only replaced Auxílio Brasil, established by the previous administration, but also provided a considerable increase in the benefit, which is currently R$ 200 higher than it was before.
However, a recent analysis suggests an alternative format. Some believe it could be even more efficient and extensive for distributing this vital social support. Nevertheless, this view is not unanimously held.
The announcement of this research was made recently, more precisely last Tuesday (26), through a technical statement from the World Bank.
Read also: Your Bolsa Família SUSPENDED: Steps to reactivate your benefit!
This report, focused on the value of Bolsa Família and how it operates, attracted the interest of various segments of society.
Therefore, in this context, it is crucial to understand the Bank’s proposals and clarify possible questions regarding these suggestions.
It is crucial to mention that Bolsa Família, launched in 2003, returned to full functionality this year, after a temporary replacement during the administration of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in 2021.
In the section below, we will discuss in detail the World Bank's guidelines and how they may influence the future of Bolsa Família in Brazil. So, join us in this analysis.
Reintegration of Bolsa Família
The pledge to reactivate the income redistribution program was one of Lula's key commitments during his electoral campaign.
Honoring this promise promptly, the president enacted an immediately effective Provisional Measure upon taking office.
Thus, this initiative not only fulfilled the promise to reintegrate Bolsa Família, but also increased the amount allocated to beneficiaries.
Previously, the program provided R$ 400, but with the new regulation, the amount rose to R$ 600 this year.
Additionally, another significant measure announced by Lula in March and now made official is the increase in the Bolsa Família benefit, primarily for larger families.
The president highlighted a pertinent criticism of the previous model, which equated benefits for one-person families with those for families with children, adolescents, and pregnant women. This unbalanced methodology was out of step with families' real needs.
Therefore, the program's new regulations seek to remedy this discrepancy by offering fairer and more balanced financial assistance through the allocation of specific resources within Bolsa Família.
Understand the World Bank's proposed reformulation of the program
First, it is vital to emphasize that, currently, the amount of Bolsa Família is structured as follows: a base amount of R$ 600 is assigned to each family enrolled in the program.
Additionally, the base amount is increased by R$ 150 for children aged 0 to 6 and R$ 50 for children over 7, adolescents up to 18 years old, and pregnant women.
The government's intention is to designate a monthly payment of R$ 142 for each member of the beneficiary family. If the sum of these amounts per family does not reach the base amount, a corresponding supplement is added.
In September, for example, with a total of 21.47 million beneficiary families, the average Bolsa Família payment reached R$ 686.89.
However, the World Bank recommended a review and an increase in the amount provided by the government. The recommendation includes:
- A payment of R$ 150 for each family member included in the program;
- An extra R$ 150 for each child or adolescent up to 18 years old;
- However, the government would abandon the current format in which each family receives a base payment of R$ 600. In other words, the guaranteed base amount would be eliminated.
According to the World Bank, this new format would benefit approximately 46% of the families currently assisted by Bolsa Família. However, around 43% of beneficiaries could experience reductions in the amounts received.
Read also: Bolsa Família: Beneficiaries of R$600 and Extras Announced by the Government; Check It Out!
In summary, the suggestion seeks to refine the social assistance system by expanding its coverage and directing more resources toward children and adolescents, but it also raises questions about the impact on families that currently depend on the guaranteed base amount.
