The Bolsa Família program, a key initiative by the Brazilian government aimed at assisting families in vulnerable situations, has commenced its payment schedule for April 2025. Payments started on April 15, 2025, with beneficiaries receiving financial support based on the last digit of their Número de Identificação Social (NIS). This month, the base payment remains at R$ 600.00 per household, with additional amounts available for families meeting specific criteria.
Families with children aged six years or younger can receive an extra R$ 150.00 for each child, while pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young people between the ages of seven and 18 can receive an additional R$ 50.00. These additional payments reflect an effort by the government to provide more comprehensive support to families, ensuring they can meet their basic needs.
To qualify for the Bolsa Família program, families must have a per capita income of up to R$ 218.00 per month and must be registered in the Cadastro Único for Social Programs. This registration process is crucial for the Ministry of Social Development (MDS) to assess eligibility. Families are notified of their approval through correspondence, and they can also check their application status via the Bolsa Família app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices.
April's payment schedule is organized according to the last digit of the NIS, ensuring a staggered distribution of funds to avoid congestion at banking facilities. The payment dates are as follows:
- NIS ending in 1 – April 15
- NIS ending in 2 – April 16
- NIS ending in 3 – April 17
- NIS ending in 4 – April 22
- NIS ending in 5 – April 23
- NIS ending in 6 – April 24
- NIS ending in 7 – April 25
- NIS ending in 8 – April 28
- NIS ending in 9 – April 29
- NIS ending in 0 – April 30
Notably, there will be no payments on national holidays, such as Good Friday on April 18 and Tiradentes Day on April 21. Payments will resume on April 22, 2025, for those with NIS ending in 4. The MDS has introduced a new interview stage for single-person households to further prevent fraud.
The Bolsa Família program serves over 20.4 million families across all 5,570 municipalities in Brazil, with a total federal investment of approximately R$ 13.7 billion for the month of April. The average benefit amount for this month is around R$ 668.73. Additionally, the program includes the Auxílio Gás benefit, which provides R$ 108.00 to approximately 5.37 million families, representing an additional investment of R$ 580.46 million.
In April 2025, the program continues to prioritize families in extreme vulnerability. Among the beneficiaries, there are 243,000 indigenous families, 283,100 quilombola families, 238,300 families experiencing homelessness, and 379,800 recyclable material collectors. Furthermore, 3.05 million families are still receiving 50% of the benefit amount under the Regra de Proteção, which allows them to maintain some financial support while they transition to stable employment.
As of April 19, 2025, no payments are being disbursed due to the national holiday. However, beneficiaries can check their payment status via the Caixa Econômica Federal app or through the Caixa Tem application, which facilitates banking transactions, including fund transfers and payments.
Families are encouraged to keep their Cadastro Único updated, as this is essential for continued eligibility and receipt of benefits. Regular updates should be made at a Centro de Referência de Assistência Social (CRAS) to reflect any changes in income, address, or family composition. This ensures that families receive the support they need without interruptions.
The Bolsa Família program remains a cornerstone of social assistance in Brazil, providing essential financial support to millions of families. The structured payment schedule and additional benefits for children and pregnant women highlight the government's commitment to addressing poverty and promoting social welfare.
In summary, the Bolsa Família program continues to play a vital role in the lives of many Brazilians, offering not just financial aid, but also a pathway toward improved living conditions and opportunities for families in need. As the payments for April proceed, beneficiaries are reminded to stay informed about their rights and responsibilities under the program.
