Did you know that more people can access social benefits thanks to a new rule in the Single Registry (CadÚnico)? That's right, important changes have been made to expand the scope of those eligible for government financial support, facilitating the inclusion of vulnerable families. 

This new measure has the potential to transform many people's lives, but do you know how it works and who can benefit? 

What is CadÚnico and how important is it?

The Single Registry, or CadÚnico, is the Brazilian government's primary tool for identifying and monitoring low-income families. It provides benefits such as Bolsa Família (now called Auxílio Brasil), the Social Electricity Tariff, and the Continuous Cash Benefit (BPC). 

It is the gateway for those in need of social support, and an essential tool for guaranteeing citizenship and rights for many families.

The registry serves as a map of the socioeconomic conditions of Brazilian families. It gathers information on family composition, income, housing situation, health, and education, among other data. This allows the government to target public policies more effectively, serving those who truly need them.

The new CadÚnico rule: expansion of benefits

Recently, a new rule was implemented in CadÚnico, expanding the number of families eligible for social benefits. The main change was the income criterion. 

Previously, families had to fall within a very specific income bracket to be included in the programs, which left many people outside of the benefits, even in situations of social vulnerability.

Now, with the revision of these criteria, more families with higher-than-average incomes can benefit, but still within the vulnerability threshold. The measure was designed to reach those who were previously "under the radar" and ensure that more people have access to resources intended to help combat poverty.

This change is crucial because it recognizes that poverty is not simple; there are families who, despite not falling into the lowest income brackets, still face difficulties in guaranteeing minimum living conditions. 

The expansion of CadÚnico's reach aims precisely at this reality, allowing more people, who previously would not have been covered, to finally have the necessary support.

Who can benefit from the new rule?

The new rule was created to benefit families in a slightly higher income bracket than the previous limit, but who still face financial challenges. In other words, people who previously didn't qualify but are in a difficult situation can now access benefits offered by government social programs. 

This includes families who are “in the middle of the road” and do not have the necessary resources to provide everything they need.

If you're wondering if you qualify, the first thing to do is check if you're already registered with CadÚnico. If you're not already, you should contact the nearest CRAS (Social Assistance Reference Center) to register. From there, your information will be evaluated to determine whether you qualify for any of the social benefit programs.

It's worth noting that the new rule also applies to people already registered with CadÚnico but who were excluded from the program due to income criteria. In other words, even if you were previously excluded, you may now fit the new profile.

How can CadÚnico impact people's lives?

For many families, social benefits are a true lifeline. Financial assistance can be the difference between having the basics to survive or facing great hardship. Expanding access to CadÚnico, therefore, can change the reality of many people, providing an opportunity to improve their quality of life.

Imagine, for example, a family struggling to balance their budget. By joining CadÚnico and accessing benefits like Auxílio Brasil, they can find some financial cushion, ensuring their most urgent needs are met. 

This can represent not only immediate relief, but also the possibility of investing in other areas, such as education and health, which often take a back seat when survival is the main focus.

Furthermore, by including more people in CadÚnico, the government has more data and information to direct public policies more effectively. This means that health, education, and even infrastructure programs can be better planned and implemented, bringing direct benefits to the population.

How to register and guarantee the benefit?

If you haven't yet registered with CadÚnico, it's important to understand how the process works. Registration is free and simple. All the head of the family needs to do is go to the CRAS (Brazilian Social Assistance Registry) in their city, bringing documents such as their CPF (Brazilian Individual Taxpayer Registry), ID (RG), and proof of residence.

The process is carried out in stages. First, the head of the household will undergo an interview, where information will be collected about the family's composition, income, and other socioeconomic factors. After this data collection, the family will be registered with CadÚnico and will have access to the social benefits for which they are eligible.

Furthermore, it's crucial to keep your registration up to date. Whenever there are significant changes in income or family composition, you must update your information in CadÚnico to ensure you don't lose your eligibility for benefits.

See also: Can Bolsa Família be judicially blocked due to debt?

February 12, 2025