Extra Benefits in Bolsa Família: See the List That Increases the Benefit Amount

The Bolsa Família is a social initiative of the Brazilian government aimed at combating poverty and extreme poverty throughout the country. This program provides a monthly financial transfer to families facing socioeconomic vulnerability. In September, the initiative will distribute a base amount of R$ 600, although some families may increase this amount with additional benefits.

Additional Bolsa Família benefits

In September, Bolsa Família offers additional benefits that can supplement the financial assistance provided. These incentives are intended for various groups of beneficiaries, aiming to provide more robust financial support for families in situations of risk.

Read also: Check whether you were approved for Bolsa Família 2023. Learn how to check.

Children aged 0 to 6

To support children in vulnerable circumstances, the government introduced a Bolsa Família benefit of R$ 150. This additional aid began being paid in March, allowing beneficiary families to increase the transferred amount by up to R$ 300 above the standard amount.

Around 8.9 million children between 0 and 6 years old will benefit from the Bolsa Família payment of R$ 150. This effort represents an investment by the Brazilian government of approximately R$ 1.34 billion, according to data from the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Hunger Alleviation (MDS).

Adolescents, pregnant women and breastfeeding women

In addition to the extra incentive for children aged 0 to 6, families with children aged seven and older and adolescents up to 18 years old will also receive an additional R$ 50 per dependent. Pregnant and breastfeeding women will also have access to a supplementary amount.

Amount distributed to Bolsa Família beneficiaries

The amount distributed to Bolsa Família beneficiaries varies according to the number of family members. Each member of the family unit may receive a benefit of R$ 142. Thus, family units of up to ten members can reach the maximum Bolsa Família amount, set at R$ 1,420.

If the family is smaller and does not reach the standard amount of R$ 600, the Brazilian government ensures a supplement to reach at least that amount. However, larger families, such as those consisting of ten members, will receive the total amount of R$ 1,420, according to the program’s new calculation methodology.

Read also: Restructuring of Bolsa Família? Understand the changes with the current MP

It is worth noting that these amounts are cumulative and the government has a maximum period of two years to update them. Payments under the new version of the Benefit began in March, averaging R$ 670.

Who is eligible for Bolsa Família?

All families with a monthly per capita income of up to R$ 218 are eligible for the Benefit. This means that the sum of the income of all family members, divided by the number of members, must be less than R$ 218.

For example, a single mother with three minor children who works as a day laborer and earns R$ 800 per month is eligible for the Bolsa Família. Dividing the total income of R$ 800 by four gives us R$ 200, an amount below the stipulated R$ 218.

Bolsa Família obligations

To access Bolsa Família, families need to meet certain commitments in areas such as health and education. The obligations include:

• Prenatal monitoring;
• Adherence to the national vaccination schedule;
• Nutritional monitoring of children under 7 years old;
• A minimum school attendance rate of 60% for children between 4 and 5 years old and 75% for beneficiaries between 6 and 18 years old who have not yet completed basic education;
• Regularly updating the Cadastro Único, at least every two years.

September Bolsa Família schedule

Check below the September payment schedule for the Benefit, according to the last digit of the Social Identification Number (NIS):

Through the Benefit, the Brazilian government strives to provide financial assistance to families in vulnerable situations. With the additional incentives, the program strengthens its relevance in the fight against poverty, promoting an improvement in the quality of life of these family units.