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The Bolsa Família program, announced in March, introduced changes to the guidelines for accessing the benefit in 2023. An additional amount of R$600 will be made available starting September 18, following the official schedule. However, it is crucial to emphasize that compliance with the conditionalities determines whether the family unit will continue receiving the benefit.
One of these conditionalities involves monitoring school attendance, ensuring that beneficiaries comply with commitments related to health and education. The selected families must comply with the regulations established by the government.
Failure to comply with these regulations may result in the suspension of the benefit.
Required school attendance
Read also: Restructuring of Bolsa Família? Understand the changes with the current MP
In the educational context, the required school attendance varies according to the age of the family members. The established rates are:
- Children aged 4 to 5: at least 60% attendance;
- Beneficiaries aged 6 to 18 who have not yet completed basic education: at least 75% attendance.
- In addition to school attendance, other conditionalities include prenatal care, adherence to the national vaccination schedule, and nutritional monitoring of infants under 7 years of age.
Reasons for absence
There are situations in which absences are unavoidable, allowing families to justify them in order to maintain the benefit. The PBF Monitoring System accepts the following reasons:
- Student illnesses, certified or assessed by the school;
- Situations involving illness or the death of a family member;
- Lack of educational services;
- Mobility barriers, such as floods, lack of transportation, or urban conflicts.
However, in certain circumstances, absences cannot be justified and require government intervention, such as:
- Teenage pregnancy;
- Homelessness;
- Neglect by guardians;
- Child labor exploitation;
- Sexual violence and abuse;
- Domestic violence;
- Absences without a specified reason.
Read also: Check whether you were approved for Bolsa Família 2023. Learn how to check.
Bolsa Família suspension
The federal government announced the withholding of benefits for 1.2 million single-person households in April. The Ministry of Social Development reported that those affected will have 60 days to update their information in the Single Registry and claim the overdue amounts.
According to Minister Wellington Dias, if the individual meets the criteria and demonstrates their status as a single-person household, the benefit will be restored, including the withheld amounts. This process requires the validation of information and updating of records at the local Single Registry office, as well as signing a declaration form.
After the review, the local program manager will release the funds, paying the outstanding installments. The lack of school attendance records for one quarter of the young beneficiaries is alarming.
The Ministry of Development and Social Assistance emphasizes the seriousness of this situation, mentioning that it is a legacy of previous administrations. However, actions are underway to change this scenario.
Monitoring Bolsa Família is a shared responsibility among the federal, state, and municipal spheres. Previous lack of coordination undermined this relationship, leading to neglect of the assistance program’s conditionalities.
With the renewal of Bolsa Família in 2023, the government doubled down on efforts to verify family records. Numerous measures were implemented, including the integration of interministerial databases and the training of agents to ensure the accuracy of the records.
It is vital that beneficiaries understand and comply with the rules and conditions, particularly regarding school attendance. Honoring these commitments ensures the continuation of the benefit and the healthy development of young people.
Constant monitoring of school attendance strengthens the education sector and shapes informed citizens capable of facing future challenges.
