Governo of Brasil edited a rule that allows vulnerable families to continue receiving Bolsa Família while awaiting analysis of Benefício’s request from Prestação Continuada (BPC). The change came into force this Tuesday (2). Termination of the income transfer program only occurs if the BPC is granted at the end of the process.
The decision resolves a problem created by Lei nº 15.077/2024. The rule changed the calculation of family income for the BPC and started to include values previously excluded, such as Bolsa Família. As a result, many families ran the risk of being left without any support during the INSS assessment period.
Acordo between agencies makes the new rule viable
MDS, INSS, AGU and DPU built the solution together. Benefícios Assistenciais’s Secretaria Nacional and Cidadania’s Secretaria Nacional participated in the negotiations. The objective was to prevent families from losing social protection in the interval between the request and the response about the BPC.
The measure addresses a specific scenario. Antes, the temporary accumulation of values raised per capita income above the limit of ¼ of the minimum wage. Isso forced Bolsa Família to shut down so that BPC could continue the analysis. Agora, the process gains an additional calculation step.
- The applicant fills out a declaration of conditional voluntary separation
- INSS carries out initial assessment including Bolsa Família
- If necessary, perform a second calculation without considering Bolsa Família
- Disconnection only happens if the BPC is approved
Como works the new request flow
The BPC form includes a specific field. Nele, the family responsible informs that he receives the Bolsa Família and authorizes the dismissal only if this is the only impediment to the granting of the BPC. The declaration does not take immediate effect.
Durante analysis, the INSS checks the cases in which the applicant exceeded the income criterion. Quando identifies beneficiaries of Bolsa Família, applies second calculation. If the applicant meets the threshold after deleting the Bolsa Família value, the process continues for the remaining criteria.
The INSS then assesses age, disability or other legal requirements of the BPC. Caso all are fulfilled, the benefit is granted. The agency sends the statement to MDS, which interrupts Bolsa Família.
Pagamentos retroactive and automatic compensation
The beneficiary is entitled to BPC amounts from the date of application. Parte of this retroactive amount may be automatically deducted to offset Bolsa Família payments made during analysis. The mechanism avoids duplication of public resources.
The rule applies to all requests in progress. Famílias who were already in the middle of the process can benefit from the new system. The government hopes to reduce situations of temporary lack of protection.
Mudança in law changed income calculation
Lei nº 15,077/2024 changed the way in which per capita family income is calculated for the BPC. Passaram to be considered values that were not previously included in the calculation. Bolsa Família, for example, joined the account.
Essa change created the risk of automatic interruption of Bolsa Família. Muitas families would be left without income while waiting for the INSS response. The new measure corrects this point without changing the general concession criteria.
MDS reinforces that Bolsa Família follows its normal rules throughout the period. The beneficiary must keep the registration updated and comply with the program’s conditions.
Detalhes operational process
INSS automatically identifies applicants who receive Bolsa Família. Data crossing occurs in an integrated manner between systems. Quando the second calculation is favorable, the process continues without interruption.
Caso BPC is denied for other reasons, Bolsa Família continues normally. The declaration of voluntary dismissal only takes effect if the BPC is granted.
The measure is valid from June 2, 2026. Pedidos filed before that date can also be covered by the new rule, as per MDS guidance.