CadÚnico provides access to over 30 federal social programs in Brazil

The Brazilian federal government's Cadastro Único (CadÚnico) serves as the primary database for selecting beneficiaries for over 30 social programs. The system maps the socioeconomic status of families to facilitate policies in areas such as social assistance, education, housing, energy, and transportation.

Key programs utilizing CadÚnico include Bolsa Família, the Pé-de-Meia student initiative, and the Minha Casa, Minha Vida housing program. It also provides access to the Social Electricity Tariff, fee waivers for federal public exams and the Enem, and the ID Jovem for youth benefits. For elderly citizens, it facilitates access to the Carteira da Pessoa Idosa.

To maintain eligibility, families must meet specific income criteria, typically having a monthly income of up to half a minimum wage per person or a total family income of up to three minimum wages. The government is implementing a cycle of updates to the CadÚnico guidelines to improve the identification and targeting of aid. Data must be updated every two years or whenever there are changes in income, address, or family composition at local CRAS centers.