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The registry of social programs, known as the Single Registry (CadÚnico), is used by the Federal Government to obtain information about low-income families in Brazil and how they live. Based on this data, beneficiaries of social programs are selected, with the aim of supporting those who are struggling to improve their living conditions.
For this reason, the Federal Government constantly emphasizes the importance of keeping their data up to date to citizens registered in the Single Registry.
Only in this way will federal resources be used efficiently to help those most in need. With the reintroduction of Bolsa Família this year, the Single Registry has once again become a topic of interest for Brazilians.
The importance of keeping the Single Registry up to date and how to do so, as well as the consequences of failing to regularize data with the Federal Government system, will be explained below.
Why should the Single Registry be updated?
Recently, the results of an audit carried out by the Office of the Comptroller General of Brazil (CGU) revealed inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the Cadastro Único records. According to the agency, many registrants’ records are irregular.
To solve the problem, the Ministry of Social Development (MDS) established an emergency plan to correct registration information in partnership with the states, municipalities, and the Federal District throughout 2023. In addition, a structural improvement and modernization plan is scheduled for 2023 and 2024, with additional resources.
Through Cadastro Único registration data, the government is aware of the needs of the low-income population and selects beneficiaries for social programs, monitoring improvements in these families’ quality of life.
Below are some examples of programs provided by the Federal Government to families registered with Cadastro Único:
- Bolsa Família Program;
- Continuous Cash Benefit;
- Social Electricity Tariff;
- Minha Casa Minha Vida;
- Senior Citizen Card;
- Retirement for Low-Income People;
- Popular Telephone;
- Exemption from Public Examination Registration Fees;
- Cistern Programs;
- Water for All;
- Bolsa Verde (Environmental Conservation Support Program);
- Drought Relief Benefit;
- Child Labor Eradication Program;
- Youth Identity;
- ENEM.
Federal Government appeal regarding the Cadastro Único
Simply registering is not enough; it is necessary to keep your family's information up to date.
Having an outdated Cadastro Único may result in the suspension of benefits administered through it, such as Bolsa Família.
Many people registered with CadÚnico years ago, and the information provided at that time no longer reflects their family's current situation. It is also common for people not to know which changes in their family need to be updated.
For example, the birth of a child changes family expenses. A change of address modifies the characteristics of the household. And a change of job affects the family's income.
If your family has changed address, the children have changed schools, new people have moved into the house, someone has changed jobs or lost their job, the person responsible for the family must go to the service location to update the registration.
Furthermore, it is important to remember that, in any case, the registration must be updated every two years.
Even if there have been no changes to the information provided in the last interview, the beneficiary family can confirm the data online through the CadÚnico app.
However, if it is necessary to change any information, the family representative will receive a notice and must go to a registration office for a new interview to update the registration.
In summary, the information must be updated:
- Whenever there is a change in the family composition, address, or family income/expenses; or
- Within a maximum period of 24 months from the date of the last interview with the family.
What should I report in the Cadastro Único?
Although the Cadastro Único is the responsibility of the government, its operation and updating are carried out by the city governments in each municipality. After all, municipal governments are in closer contact with low-income and vulnerable populations in their territories.
Family data collection can be carried out through interviews conducted by a trained interviewer at the family’s residence. The family representative may also go to a Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS) or a Cadastro Único service point in the municipality.
Including families in Cadastro Único makes it possible to identify their degree of vulnerability. Therefore, you will need to answer questions related to:
- Income (the sum of the gross income, that is, before deductions, earned by all family members);
- Monthly expenses (for water, electricity, food, transportation, rent, and medication);
- Family composition (number of members, ages, family relationships);
- Members’ level of education;
- Housing conditions, address, and characteristics of the house (such as number of rooms, type of walls and flooring, and whether the street is paved);
- Access to employment;
- Access to public services (water, sanitation, electricity, and social programs);
- The presence of disabilities that may affect any family members, and;
- If the family is part of traditional and specific groups (Indigenous peoples, quilombola communities, people experiencing homelessness, Romani people, riverside communities, recyclable material collectors, among others).
Remember that the information provided by families is self-declared, meaning that they are responsible for providing only truthful information, at the risk of losing access to government programs.
Who is part of the family unit?
The questions will concern your family. For the Cadastro Único, “family” refers to the people who live in the same household and share income or expenses. Each person may be registered in only one family.
Therefore, the following may be considered members of the family unit:
- Person Responsible for the Family Unit (RF), who must be at least 16 years old and preferably female;
- Spouse or partner, the person who lives with the RF, including people of the same sex;
- Child, whether adopted or a foster child;
- Stepchild, including an adopted or foster child;
- Grandchild or great-grandchild;
- Father or mother, as well as stepfather and stepmother;
- Father-in-law or mother-in-law, as well as the spouse's stepfather and stepmother;
- Brother or sister, adopted or foster;
- Son-in-law or daughter-in-law;
- Another relative, such as a grandparent, great-grandparent, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, uncle or aunt, nephew or niece, or cousin;
- Non-relative, for the family member who has no family ties.
By continuing to provide accurate and up-to-date information about your family, you help the government offer social programs suited to your family’s needs and assist it in overcoming socioeconomic vulnerability.
Therefore, it is essential to keep your Cadastro Único up to date, ensuring that the information is accurate and reflects your family situation.
