Brazil INSS accident benefit eligibility

In July 2026 the INSS clarified that Brazil’s auxiliary‑accident benefit (auxílio‑acidente) under article 86 of Law 8.213/1991 applies to workers with permanent sequelae that cause a lasting reduction in work capacity, not merely pain. The guidance first detailed spinal injuries—vertebral fractures, disc herniations or postoperative conditions—and required demonstrable occupational linkage, lesion consolidation, and enduring functional limitation. A subsequent update added carpal tunnel syndrome, provided the work‑related cause is proven and the condition results in permanent grip‑strength loss, sensory deficit or fine‑motor restriction.

Later that month the INSS issued a broader set of regulations affecting retirees, active workers and people with disabilities. The rules exempt individuals aged 80 or older, Brazilians abroad, refugees and stateless persons from mandatory biometric registration and state that ordinary debts do not block pension granting, though they may trigger account freezes. Injured workers retain the right to accident‑related benefits, a 12‑month job‑stability guarantee and possible compensation. Rural retirees must document at least 180 months of agricultural activity, while disability assessments focus on functional impact rather than a fixed disease list. The carpal‑tunnel provision reiterated that a permanent, work‑related limitation qualifies for the auxiliary‑accident indemnity.