# Brazil INSS benefit regulations and administration > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-inss-benefit-regulations-and-administration > Updated: 2026-09-26T19:46:00.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2. The Brazilian Social Security Institute (INSS) is managing various regulatory updates and benefit requirements. Recent developments include Law 15.415, which mandates that the INSS must grant maternity benefits to self-employed workers and MEIs within 30 days or issue provisional automatic payments. This follows a Supreme Federal Court ruling that declared previous contribution requirements unconstitutional for these groups. Legislative efforts, such as Bill 1599/26, are also underway to permanently eliminate grace period requirements for all insured persons. Regarding other forms of assistance, sickness benefits generally require 12 monthly contributions, though this is waived for accidents or specific serious illnesses. For the Continuous Cash Benefit (BPC), eligibility is determined by an average per capita family income limit of R$ 405.25, and the presence of other household income does not automatically trigger cancellation. Additionally, the INSS has issued warnings regarding WhatsApp scams targeting retirees through fraudulent ‘life proof’ messages. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-26: Brazil: Rules for INSS sickness benefits and BPC social assistance Guidelines for Brazil's INSS sickness benefits and BPC social assistance outline eligibility, income limits, and rules for household income accumulation and benefit maintenance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-rules-for-inss-sickness-benefits-and-bpc-social-assistance ### 2026-09-17: INSS updates maternity benefit rules and issues fraud warnings Brazil's INSS is implementing new rules for maternity benefits following STF rulings, while facing legislative efforts to remove grace periods and rising fraud attempts via WhatsApp targeting retirees. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-simplifies-bpc-access-through-bolsa-famlia-renunciation --- Cite as: Brazil INSS benefit regulations and administration. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-inss-benefit-regulations-and-administration