Brazil's INSS faces app outages and deadline for contesting unauthorized benefit discounts

Millions of Brazilians relying on the Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS) have been hindered by technical problems with the Meu INSS app and portal, leading to delays in retirement and other benefit requests. An audit by the Tribunal de Contas da União found that more than half of the automatically processed requests were denied and ordered the INSS, the Ministry of Social Security and Dataprev to implement corrective measures.

A separate deadline for contesting unauthorized associative discounts in benefits ends on June 20 (June 19 for in‑person requests at post offices). To date the government has refunded over R$3.2 billion to 4.7 million beneficiaries. Contestations can be made through the Meu INSS platform, the 135 phone line or at post‑office branches; once approved, the reimbursement is automatically credited within three business days.

The INSS also warned that beneficiaries have a ten‑day window to respond to any notification regarding data verification, benefit revisions or fraud checks. Failure to respond within this period may result in temporary blockage, suspension or cancellation of the benefit.