Payments for Brazil's flagship cash-transfer program, Bolsa Familia, began on Monday with a 15.04% increase that the government says restores purchasing power lost to inflation since March 2023. The adjustment raises the minimum monthly benefit per family from 600 reais to 691 reais (roughly USD 135 at recent rates).
The increase applies automatically to the October payment cycle. Disbursements follow a staggered calendar through October 30 based on the final digit of each family's Social Identification Number (NIS). Funds can be accessed via the Caixa Tem app, ATMs, lottery outlets, and Caixa Aqui banking correspondents.
Benefit components revised
All program components were adjusted proportionally:
- Citizenship Income Benefit (per family member): 142 reais to 164 reais
- Early Childhood Benefit (children under 7): 150 reais to 173 reais
- Variable Family Benefit (pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and adolescents 7-18): 50 reais to 58 reais
- Complementary Benefit (top-up to reach the minimum floor): now completes 691 reais instead of 600 reais
Inflation-linked correction
The government decreed the adjustment using the accumulated variation of the INPC consumer price index between March 2023 and August 2026. Decree 13.120 establishes that the correction takes financial effect from October 1. Officials said the measure recomposes the real value of benefits eroded by inflation over the period.
Program background
Bolsa Familia originated from the Zero Hunger program in 2003 and was relaunched in its current form in March 2023. It targets families registered in the CadUnico database with per capita monthly income at or below 218 reais. Eligibility requires compliance with health and education conditionalities, including prenatal care, vaccination schedules, nutritional monitoring for young children, and minimum school attendance rates of 60% for ages 4-5 and 75% for ages 6-17.
The program is operated by state-owned bank Caixa Economica Federal under the management of the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS).