Brazil revises Bolsa Família and BPC rules for single‑person households

The Brazilian federal government has introduced new procedures to coordinate the Bolsa Família cash‑transfer program with the Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC) for people who live alone. Under the new rule, the termination of Bolsa Família proceeds only after the BPC request is approved and after the family head signs an authorization, ensuring that households are not left without income while the INSS evaluates the BPC application.

A judicial agreement also amended the eligibility and monitoring criteria for single‑person families in the CadÚnico system. Automatic blocking of benefits after data cross‑checks has been removed, while oversight is tightened through mandatory CadÚnico updates and bi‑annual verification. The reforms respond to a dramatic rise in single‑person registrations—up 197% from 2018 to 2022—and aim to curb potential abuses without disrupting payments to qualified beneficiaries.