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Since the beginning of 2023, under the administration of President Lula (PT), approximately 2.9 million Brazilians had their registrations Bolsa Família canceled. According to information provided by the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and the Fight Against Hunger (MDS), between January and September 2023, a total of 2,870,743 families saw their benefits interrupted. This large number was brought to light by journalist Paulo Cappelli, from the Metrópoles news portal.
This review of accounts is an initiative by the MDS to ensure that the benefit goes only to those who genuinely meet the criteria. Therefore, it is worth remembering that, during former President Jair Bolsonaro's (PL) administration, the benefit was renamed Auxílio Brasil, returning to its original name under the current administration.
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The program's improvement began in March, identifying 1.2 million registrations with a monthly income above the limit established for Bolsa Família beneficiaries.
Enrollment of new Bolsa Família beneficiaries
In contrast to the exclusions, in December 2022, Bolsa Família served 21.6 million families, totaling an investment of R$ 13 billion. In September 2023, the number of assisted families was 21.4 million, costing the government R$ 14.6 billion. These figures indicate that, even with the removal of several beneficiaries, the program opened its doors to new families, maintaining its purpose of assisting those most in need.
Updates and additions to the assistance program
The reinclusion of new families and the restructuring of the program did not stop there. In June, President Lula implemented a decree that updated the guidelines of the Bolsa Família. The program now provides an additional R$ 50 through the Family Variable Benefit. However, this applies only to dependents between 7 and 18 years old, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. This supplement demonstrates the government's ongoing effort to improve and expand the reach of Bolsa Família, benefiting even more Brazilians in vulnerable situations.
Image: MIDAS/ Publicity/ Agência Brasil
