Mexico's Bienestar and Rita Cetina Scholarship Funds Misused and Payment Schedule Adjusted

Investigations in Coahuila and Nuevo León reveal that money from the Bienestar pension for older adults and the Rita Cetina school scholarship is frequently diverted by family members. Parents are reported to spend the bimonthly disbursements on drugs such as “stone” and “crystal,” leading to a rise in robbery and assault incidents in low‑income neighborhoods.

The federal government announced that the regular bimonthly deposit for the Rita Cetina scholarship will be paused during the July‑August summer break. An extraordinary payment of 2,500 pesos is slated for August 2026 to cover school supplies and uniforms, with new Banco del Bienestar cards being distributed at schools for recent enrollees.