Bolsa Família, one of Brazil's best-known and most important social programs, has been a crucial element in the fight against poverty and inequality. Since its launch in 2003, it has helped millions of families secure a minimum income and access to basic services. However, to qualify for the program, a family must meet certain government-established criteria. 

What is Bolsa Família?

Before we delve into the eligibility criteria, it's important to understand what Bolsa Família is and how it works. Created by the federal government, Bolsa Família is an income transfer program aimed at families living in poverty and extreme poverty. Its main objective is to guarantee these families access to basic necessities such as food, healthcare, and education.

The program works quite simply: families that meet the government-established criteria receive a cash benefit, which varies according to the number of family members, per capita income, and other variables. This benefit is paid monthly and is conditional on fulfilling certain obligations, such as school attendance and health monitoring for children and adolescents.

Image: Reproduction

Who can apply for Bolsa Família?

To qualify for Bolsa Família, a family must meet a series of socioeconomic criteria established by the government. These criteria include:

  • Per capita income: The family's per capita income must be up to R$ 89.00 per month for it to be considered in a situation of extreme poverty, or R$ 178.00 per month for it to be considered in a situation of poverty.
  • CadÚnico Registration: The family must be registered in the Federal Government's Single Registry for Social Programs (CadÚnico). This registry is the gateway to various social programs, including Bolsa Família, and is used to identify and characterize low-income families.
  • Updated information in CadÚnico: It is important that the family's registration information in CadÚnico is up to date, as it is based on this information that the government will assess whether the family is entitled to the benefit and what the benefit amount will be.
  • School Attendance: Children and adolescents aged 6 to 15 who are part of the family must be duly enrolled in school and must have a minimum school attendance of 85% to be eligible for the benefit. Young people aged 16 and 17 must have a minimum school attendance of 75%.
  • Health monitoring: Pregnant women and children up to 7 years of age who are part of the family must be properly monitored by their health, with their vaccinations up to date and participating in prenatal and childcare programs.

In addition to these basic criteria, it's important to emphasize that Bolsa Família prioritizes families living in extreme poverty—those whose per capita income is up to R$$ 89.00 per month. These families receive a larger benefit and have access to more intensive monitoring by the program's agencies.

Fight against poverty and inequality

Bolsa Família is a fundamental program in the fight against poverty and inequality in Brazil, and has helped millions of families secure a minimum income and access to basic services. 

However, for a family to benefit from the program, it is necessary to meet certain criteria established by the government, such as having a per capita income of up to R$$ 89.00 per month, being registered with CadÚnico, keeping information up to date, ensuring children's school attendance and health monitoring.

It is important that the government continues investing in Bolsa Família and other social programs that aim to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion, thus ensuring a more just and egalitarian future for all Brazilians.

See also: When can I withdraw my FGTS withheld? See information

April 3, 2024