The social welfare programs run by Mexico's government are gearing up for significant financial disbursements this March, as new beneficiaries come on board. According to Octavio Almada Palafox, the delegate of the Bienestar (Welfare) programs in Sonora, the incorporation for the 2025 welfare programs for women, elderly citizens, and people with disabilities concluded on February 28, 2025, adding at least 23,000 new registrations.
Almada indicated the total amount to be deposited to beneficiaries across these federal programs will reach approximately 4 billion pesos. "We are starting to disburse several of these programs between March 3 and March 27, 2025, including those for elderly citizens, people with disabilities, women's welfare, and 'Sembrando Vida' (Sowing Life), among others," he said. These programs will deliver over 2.2 billion pesos aimed at benefiting families across Sonora.
Specifically, 64 million pesos have been earmarked for the 'Mujeres del Bienestar' program, 217 million pesos for programs catering to persons with disabilities, 2.2 billion pesos directed toward elderly citizens' assistance, and 300 million pesos for 'Sembrando Vida'. The latest incorporations to these welfare programs include 7,500 senior citizens, 3,200 women aged between 63 and 64, and 12,000 individuals registered as disabled.
Also taking place during March 2025, beneficiaries of four key social programs from the Secretary of Welfare will receive their second payment of the year. Those residing in the states of Durango and Veracruz will uniquely receive double payments due to state elections scheduled for June 1, 2025. This double payment also highlights the electoral regulations which prevent the government from providing financial support during elections.
The programs involved include: Pension for the Well-being of Senior Citizens, Pension for the Well-being of People with Disabilities, Pension Women Welfare, and the Program for the Well-being of Girls and Boys Children of Working Mothers.
Exact pension amounts due to be deposited include 12,400 pesos for senior citizens, 6,400 pesos for the disabled, and 6,000 pesos for women beneficiaries under the welfare program. Additional financial assistance will be provided to children as follows: 3,200 pesos for newborns to 4-year-olds, 7,200 pesos for children with disabilities aged up to 6 years, 1,660 pesos for children aged up to 15 years who are maternal orphans, and up to 2,480 pesos for those aged up to 23 years.
While beneficiaries can receive their amounts throughout March, they will not have to withdraw funds immediately. They can access their cash at any time after the payment date through ATMs or banking windows at the Bank of Bienestar, or they may use their cards to make purchases at stores with banking terminals.
Ariadna Montiel Reyes, the head of the Welfare Department, shared the scheduled payment calendar for March and April, clarifying arrangements for pension payments based on the first letter of beneficiaries' last names.
For those with last names starting from W to Z, the final payment will take place by March 27, 2025. The payment flow for March is detailed as follows: A on March 3, B on March 4, C on March 5 and 6, followed by D, E, F on March 7, and continuing through the alphabet with specific dates assigned until the last group is paid on March 27.
It is worth noting this payment calendar also applies to related welfare initiatives, such as the Pension for People with Disabilities and Women's Welfare programs. Registrations for these programs will be available every two months, including opportunities opening again this April.
To register for the Pension programs, applicants must provide specific documentation, including valid ID, recent CURP, birth certificate, proof of address, and contact numbers. It is highly recommended for potential candidates to stay updated through official Welfare Secretariat channels for future registration announcements.
Overall, these developments represent the government’s continued commitment to supporting vulnerable populations through their targeted social welfare programs.