Brazil bill proposes excluding apprentice wages from Bolsa Família calculations

A bill currently under review in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies proposes that wages earned by 'Jovem Aprendiz' (Young Apprentice) workers be excluded from the family income calculations used to determine eligibility for the Bolsa Família social program.

Under current regulations, a family's monthly income per person cannot exceed R$ 218 to maintain full benefits. Currently, an apprentice's salary is included in this total, which can lead to the cancellation of benefits or a reduction in payments via the 'protection rule.'

Proposed by Deputy Beto Preto (PSD-PR), Bill 3175/26 aims to prevent the loss of financial support when a young person enters the formal labor market. The author argues that the current system discourages adolescents from seeking professional experience. If passed, the exemption would apply only for the duration of the apprenticeship contract, and families must still meet other program requirements, such as school attendance and vaccination compliance.