Brazil's INSS imposes 30‑day biometric deadline for pension and benefit claims

The National Institute of Social Security (INSS) in Brazil has mandated biometric registration for new requests for the Continuous Cash Benefit (BPC), retirement pensions and other assistance. Applicants must complete the fingerprint registration within 30 days; otherwise their claim will be considered non‑compliant and closed, forcing the applicant to restart the process and lose any retroactive payments.

Exemptions are granted to people over 80, those with medical mobility issues, residents of remote areas, migrants, refugees and stateless persons who present supporting documentation. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) has recommended a temporary suspension of the biometric requirement while electoral registration remains suspended until November 2026, urging the INSS to accept alternative identification methods such as valid photo IDs and database checks. The INSS has ten days to respond to the MPF recommendation.

Separate guidance from the INSS also reiterates priority service for beneficiaries aged 80 or older, including faster processing, preferential in‑person attendance and remote assistance where needed.