Gas Aid

Auxílio-gás Beneficiaries Surprised by Blocking Measure Announced by the Government

Published on 25/09/2023 4 min read

Sequence of Contingencies

As announced by the ministries, the plan is for this restriction to be added to the cuts of R$ 3.2 billion previously announced at the beginning of this year. These financial restrictions are affecting discretionary expenses, that is, expenses that the federal government can reduce or eliminate without legal obligations.

This is the third consecutive contingency implemented by President Lula's government during his third term. In the last two economic reports, contingencies of R$ 1.7 billion and R$ 1.5 billion, respectively, were carried out.

Reason for the New Contingency

The ministries justify this spending freeze as crucial to complying with the budgetary spending-limit rules for 2023, rules approved at the end of last year through the Transition Constitutional Amendment Proposal. Failure to comply with these rules could result in accusations of fiscal irresponsibility against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).

Deficit Adjustment

With the announcement of a new freeze, the federal government also revised its primary deficit forecast this Friday (22), projecting a reduction in the deficit to R$ 141.4 billion in 2023.

According to the report, projections for primary revenues in 2023 increased by R$ 6.6 billion, totaling R$ 2.372 trillion, while net revenues were adjusted to R$ 1.914 trillion, an increase of R$ 5.3 billion.

National Cooking Gas Aid

But why are these new financial restrictions alarming beneficiaries of the National Cooking Gas Aid? As mentioned, the new freeze affects only expenses considered non-mandatory, and cooking gas aid payments may fall into this category. Therefore, there is concern that the cuts could affect these disbursements.

So far, the Ministry of Social Development, Family and the Fight Against Hunger, responsible for payments under the national Auxílio-gás program, has not issued any statements following the announcement of the new freeze, since it is unclear whether it will be affected by these new spending restrictions.

However, the last time a cut occurred, the ministry issued a statement to reassure beneficiaries. “If the release of the Federal Budget is not sufficient, the MDS will reallocate resources from other discretionary actions to ensure payment of Auxílio Gás, following the guidance of the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to allocate federal resources to those who need them most,” the statement said.

Next Auxílio-gás Disbursements

Assuming that the new freeze really will not impact payments under the national Auxílio-gás program, the next disbursement of the benefit is already scheduled to take place. The aim is to resume transfers next October.

As in previous months, to find out the exact date of your payment, you need to check your Social Identification Number (NIS). Those whose NIS ends in 1, for example, may receive the balance as early as the 18th, for example.

Below is the detailed calendar for the national Auxílio-gás for the coming month of October.