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The active search included more than 2 million new beneficiaries. Active search processes included approximately 2.39 million Brazilian family units in Bolsa Família.
The Ministry of Social Development, which manages the benefit, stated that this inclusion took place over the last 7 months.
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For this reason, the Federal Government seeks to identify families that qualify for the program but have not yet enrolled.
Read also:Beneficiaries with NIS 4 receive Bolsa Família today
Consequently, this strategy enrolled most of the new beneficiaries, prioritizing those in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability.
This October, the assistance program reached 21.45 million families throughout Brazil, amounting to a transfer of R$ 14.67 billion, with an average benefit of R$ 688.97.
The ministry that manages Bolsa Família reported that 32.6 million women received the benefit in October, accounting for 58% of the total this month.
Changes took place in Bolsa Família.
With the introduction of the Early Childhood Benefit in June, the Federal Government added R$ 50 for families with pregnant women and children or adolescents aged 7 to 18.
Additionally, they established the Protection Rule.
This rule ensures that families continue receiving the benefit for up to two years, even if they obtain employment and a salary increase, provided that each member receives up to half the minimum wage.
If a family loses its income after those two years, it will have priority to re-enter Bolsa Família.
October also brought an extra R$ 50 for mothers with babies up to seven months old.
Discussions about the adjustment of Bolsa Família will take place in 2024.
Wellington Dias, head of the Ministry of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger, provided an update on Bolsa Família.
He confirmed that the government will discuss possible adjustments to the Benefit next year, aiming to prepare a proposal for the 2025 budget.
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The income transfer program currently benefits 21.45 million families throughout the country, with an average amount of R$ 688.97.
What did the minister comment?
On Friday, October 20, there was a celebration of Bolsa Família's 20th anniversary.
He addressed the issue and stated that the decision will consider various factors, such as the dollar exchange rate, minimum wage, and cost of living.
Dias elaborated: “When defining the amount transferred to each family, we consider various elements, such as food costs, wage policy, and economic factors. We will address this at the beginning of next year.”
Paulo Bijos, secretary of the Federal Budget, reiterated that the government keeps Bolsa Família as a priority, even without an adjustment defined for next year.
The adjustment did not appear in the PLOA.
Months ago, a 4% increase in Bolsa Família for next year was discussed.
This adjustment should have been included in the 2024 Annual Budget Bill (PLOA), submitted to Congress on August 31, but it was not present.
Therefore, it is anticipated that any change in the amounts will occur only in 2024. Until then, the Benefit will maintain its current amounts, with R$ 600 as the base and additional payments depending on the family composition.
Read also:How can I check whether my Bolsa Família information is up to date?
For example, families with children up to 6 years old receive an additional R$ 150.
Bolsa Família celebrated two decades.
On October 20, Bolsa Família celebrated its 20th anniversary. The program, created in 2002 during Lula's presidency, is managed by the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Hunger Alleviation (MDS).
Its purpose is to unify various public policies, ensuring that vulnerable families have access to essential services.
The event was attended by several ministers, including Wellington Dias and Rita Serrano, president of Caixa Econômica Federal.
Lula, via video call, condemned the deaths in the Hamas-Israel conflict, but also praised the Benefit, envisioning its importance in eradicating hunger in Brazil by 2026.
