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Bolsa Família directly affects the lives of millions of individuals. However, a concept frequently observed among citizens, but not widely discussed in social programs, is that of cohabiting families.
Do you understand what a cohabiting family means? Although many may not be familiar with the term, they have already encountered the reality of several families living in the same house and sharing common expenses, such as rent or water and electricity bills.
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In light of this, the question arises: is it possible for all cohabiting families to receive Bolsa Família? If you live with a cohabiting family, what happens to your Cadastro Único? And what about single-person family units?
Read also:How to receive a Christmas bonus from Bolsa Família?
We will answer all these questions based on the legislation. Only by being well informed will you be able to claim your rights. Take a look!
Cohabiting families: what is their relationship with Bolsa Família?
Why is the topic of cohabiting families relevant to Bolsa Família beneficiaries? As many are aware, to qualify for Bolsa Família, the family unit must:
- being in financial vulnerability, with a monthly per capita household income between R$ 105.01 and R$ 210.00;
- being in extreme vulnerability, with a monthly per capita household income of up to R$ 105.00.
In light of this, the question arises: does the income of everyone living in the same household count toward this calculation? Let us see what the legislation establishes.
Cohabiting families: what does the legislation determine?
Ordinance 810 of the Ministry of Citizenship, dated September 14, 2022, defines a cohabiting family in its second article as:
- II – cohabiting families: groups that live in the same place but do not share income or expenses, or only share common housing costs, such as rent or water and electricity bills.
In addition, Article 12 of the same ordinance states:
- Article 12: Cohabiting families that live at the same address but do not share income or expenses, or only share everyday housing costs, will be registered independently.
Regarding this, see an excerpt from a live broadcast on the YouTube channel of the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance (MDS) intended for municipal managers and leaders:
“For the Cadastro Único, a cohabiting family is one that lives on the same property or in the same residence, consisting of two households that do not share income and expenses. The concept of family for the Cadastro Único includes sharing finances. If this does not occur and they only share household expenses, such as rent or electricity, this is classified as a cohabiting family. There are cohabiting families consisting of a single member, and each one must sign the statement of responsibility.”
One-person households and cohabiting households for Bolsa Família
Have you ever heard of “splitting the rent,” where two people decide to live together to share expenses?
These situations may qualify as cohabiting families and, at the same time, one-person households. Both may participate in Bolsa Família and have separate records in the Cadastro Único, provided they meet the other rules of the social programs.
One-person households became a focus of the MDS after several inconsistencies were identified in the beneficiaries’ records. As a result, approximately 3 million had their benefits suspended in recent times.
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Every month, the MDS thoroughly reviews the records to ensure that only those who are truly in need receive Bolsa Família. One of the measures adopted was to integrate the Cadastro Único with the CNIS (National Registry of Social Information).
This initiative improves the quality of the information in Cadúnico. Now, issues related to income verification will be resolved automatically, without the need to go to the CRAS.
This means that any income variation over the last 12 months will be automatically adjusted in the Cadastro Único, using data from the CNIS. This simplifies the procedure, making it more accurate and less complicated for family units.
This way, you will have access to employment benefits, social security benefits, BPC-LOAS, and other sources of income, such as imprisonment assistance, through the Cadastro Único app.
One-person family units: limit per municipality defined by the government
In September of this year, a new rule established a limit on the entry of new single-person households into Bolsa Família. On August 25, the MDS issued Ordinance 911, stipulating that, of all families benefiting from Bolsa Família, only 16% may consist of one person. The program’s Informative Bulletin 17 clarifies that this percentage will be applied at the municipal level.
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Imagine that in a city there are 10,000 people benefiting from Bolsa Família. Applying 16% to 10,000 gives us 1,600. Therefore, only 1,600 single-person households are permitted.
Remember that the number in question refers to beneficiaries, not the population. In other words, in a city with 10,000 beneficiary families, only 1,600 may be single-person households.
If you are already a beneficiary and comply with all the rules, do not worry. No one will lose their benefit if the municipality exceeds the 16% limit. However, new registrations may be prevented if the ceiling has already been reached.
What if your municipality is not following the guidelines for cohabiting and single-person families?
Municipalities must follow the MDS guidelines
Are the definitions of cohabiting and single-person families being applied in your city? If you notice that they are not, take action!
- The Ministry of Development and Social Assistance provided clear instructions to municipalities. Remember that if you live with a cohabiting family, both households are entitled to social benefits.
- In summary, cohabiting families can receive Bolsa Família, as long as they meet the established financial requirements. Single-person households are also covered, but there is a limit of 16% per municipality.
- If you have questions about your situation, contact the nearest CRAS or the municipal administration. Secure your rights and the benefits to which you are entitled!
