Brasilia, Brazil – The number of Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC) grants approved through judicial decisions has surged by 60% over the past three years, a period coinciding with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s third term. This growth rate significantly outpaces the 28.9% increase seen in traditional administrative approvals, according to data from Brazil’s Ministry of Social Development (MDS).
In the first four months of 2025 alone, new beneficiaries added via judicial rulings showed consistent growth. In January, 888,004 individuals were granted BPC through court orders, a figure that climbed to 921,621 by April.
The BPC program, which provides a monthly minimum wage (currently R$1,518 or approximately $280 USD) from the National Treasury to low-income elderly and disabled individuals, has seen uninterrupted growth for nearly three years. This amount is more than double the average Bolsa Família payment of R$660 per family.
Program Costs and Government Response
Currently, the BPC program supports 6.329 million beneficiaries. In 2024, the Brazilian government disbursed R$102.2 billion (approximately $19 billion USD) to fund the program. The projected cost for 2025 is even higher, with the federal budget allocating R$112 billion (approximately $20.8 billion USD) for BPC.
In a statement to CNN, the MDS attributed the recent expansion of the BPC to an aging population and an increase in the number of people with disabilities. The Ministry also highlighted initiatives aimed at improving the program’s focus and effectiveness.
“The implementation of biennial reviews starting in 2024, with systematic actions for cadastral updates, income verification, and biopsychosocial reevaluation, has enhanced the targeting of the benefit and improved social protection,” the Ministry stated.
The increase in judicially mandated grants is also linked to a recent relaxation of medical diagnostic processes for these benefits. Additionally, the overall explosion in beneficiary numbers coincides with various rule changes that have expanded the list of health or family situations granting access to the benefit.
