The Bolsa Família program, one of Brazil's key social assistance initiatives, has officially announced its payment schedule for 2025, with payments set to begin on January 20, 2025. This information is particularly significant as it affects millions of families across the country who rely on this support for their basic needs.
According to the Ministério do Desenvolvimento e Assistência Social (MDS), the payment dates are organized based on the last digit of each beneficiary's Social Identification Number (NIS). This structured approach ensures efficient management of funds and timely delivery to families. For January, households can expect financial assistance according to the following schedule:
- NIS final 1: 20 de janeiro
- NIS final 2: 21 de janeiro
- NIS final 3: 22 de janeiro
- NIS final 4: 23 de janeiro
- NIS final 5: 24 de janeiro
- NIS final 6: 27 de janeiro
- NIS final 7: 28 de janeiro
- NIS final 8: 29 de janeiro
- NIS final 9: 30 de janeiro
- NIS final 0: 31 de janeiro
This staggered payment model is not just for January; it will continue throughout the year, assisting beneficiaries during the last ten working days of each month. Apart from January, December sees early payments, starting from the 10th, to accommodate the holiday season, ensuring families can utilize their benefits for Christmas festivities.
The Bolsa Família program comprises various financial benefits aimed at different household needs, including:
- Benefício de Renda de Cidadania (BRC): R$ 142 per family member.
- Benefício Complementar (BCO): Additional funds to guarantee R$ 600 aggregate per family.
- Benefício Primeira Infância (BPI): Extra R$ 150 for children up to six years old.
- Benefício Variável Familiar (BVF): R$ 50 for pregnant women and children/adolescents aged 7 to 18.
- Benefício Variável Familiar Nutriz (BVN): R$ 50 for infants under seven months.
- Benefício Extraordinário de Transição (BET): Ensures no household receives less than under the previous program, Auxílio Brasil, until May 2025.
Eligibility criteria remain firm with the stipulation of sufficient financial need; families must have a per capita income of no more than R$ 218 monthly to qualify for benefits. the MDS emphasizes the importance of keeping information updated within the Cadastro Único (CadÚnico), which serves as the identification basis for families eligible to receive benefits.
Reflecting on its funding policy, the Bolsa Família targets urgent social needs, assisting around 21 million families. Each investment not only helps alleviate poverty but also fosters social inclusion; studies indicate each real invested yields nearly R$ 1.78, boosting local economies.
Families enrolled can manage their payments and receive more personalized support through various recourses, including the Caixa Tem app, which enhances their opportunities to transfer funds and pay bills conveniently. For queries, the MDS has set up channels including Disque Social 121, ensuring beneficiaries can address their concerns rapidly.
With the start of the payment schedule, families should prepare and follow the guidelines to maintain eligibility and access the benefits offered by the program successfully. By staying informed and engaged with their responsibilities—like children’s health and education—beneficiaries will contribute toward breaking the intergenerational cycles of poverty.