The Basic Food Basket Aid is a social program approved by the Brazilian Federal Government since August 2023, and to know how to apply, it is necessary to first understand more about the initiative. In general, this benefit works as one of the segments and an extension of Bolsa Família, also focusing on families in vulnerable situations.

Despite its name, the Basic Food Basket Assistance Program does not work like a common food distribution campaign, such as that carried out in Christmas campaigns or by charities. Although it targets a large contingent of Brazilians, there are specific rules for the public considered eligible.

How to apply for the Basic Food Basket Aid?

Basically, to apply for the Basic Food Basket Aid, you must be registered in the Single Registry (CadÚnico), with all data correctly updated. Therefore, interested parties who wish to know how to apply for the benefit should contact the Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS) nearest you to find out about the procedures for this registration.

In this process of searching in their own region, citizens can find out whether they are eligible and also whether the program is available in the state. With the CRAS guidelines, it is important for citizens to access the State Government website and fill out a specific form to receive the benefit.

Typically, each form requires a specific set of information. However, most require an identity document, proof of residence, work permit and some type of proof of current professional activity. Therefore, have these documents on hand when filling out the form.

This entire process is essential because the Basic Food Basket Aid is not a program linked to the Secretariat of Development and Social Assistance (MDS). In other words, it does not work like any other government program linked to the Federal Government.

In reality, the benefit is paid by the state government. This means that only beneficiaries who reside in certain municipalities are eligible to receive it, as not all local governments have signed up to this Bolsa Família supplement.

In general, each state has established a set of specific rules for granting this benefit. Therefore, it is essential that citizens considered eligible and beneficiaries of Bolsa Família consult this information.

This way, there is no risk of losing the amount due to lack of information, for example. As mentioned previously, it is possible to carry out this consultation procedure at CRAS or even at city hall service points.

Read also: Learn to play guitar at home with these apps

Image: Reproduction/Pexels

How does the aid work?

Firstly, the Basic Food Basket Assistance Program serves families in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability who are already enrolled in the Bolsa Família program. This means that all those enrolled are eligible to receive the benefit, as long as the state government of the region in which they live has signed up to the supplement.

In this context, the value of the Basic Food Basket Aid is R$150 per month, focusing on families with up to 5 members and always thinking about the process of acquiring basic food items. The other eligibility requirements follow the same parameters as Bolsa Família.

Therefore, families with a maximum income of up to three minimum wages are eligible, according to the national minimum wage in force in the year of payment of the Basic Food Basket Aid. In addition to registering in the Single Registry, interested citizens must prove the need to receive the aid.

This is done through documents such as the socioeconomic form filled out during the first registration, and subsequent updates, of CadÚnico. Therefore, registration to receive the basic food basket follows a specific system determined by the Federal Government in conjunction with the state governments.

In all cases, beneficiaries receive a food card, which will be used to fund the monthly amount needed to purchase a basic food basket. Currently, payments for the program are made by Caixa Econômica Federal, the institution that pays for the main social programs in force.

Image: Reproduction/Pexels

Who can and who cannot receive the Basic Food Basket Aid?

Firstly, there are several citizens who currently receive the Basic Food Basket Aid. According to information from the Government of São Paulo, for example, more than 2 million basic food baskets are distributed monthly to the public considered eligible.

Broadly speaking, the main beneficiaries of this income transfer supplement are third sector workers. This includes street vendors, market vendors, taxi drivers, app drivers, school transport workers and even tour guides.

On the other hand, Bolsa Família, and consequently Auxílio Cesta Básica, establish some prohibitions regarding who can or cannot receive the payments. Thus, the following groups do not receive this benefit:

• citizens who receive social security benefits from the so-called Social Security, or INSS, including retirement and unemployment insurance;
• citizens enrolled in other income transfer programs, except Bolsa Família;
• public servants, active or retired
• citizens enrolled in other active benefits, such as the Financial Aid Program for Unemployed Professionals in the Bar, Restaurant and Related Sectors;
• families that received any type of monthly income in the last year.

So, did you enjoy learning more about the Basic Food Basket Aid program?

Above all, this initiative is part of the efforts of the Federal Government and state governments to assist Brazilian families in situations of social vulnerability. More than just financial assistance, it is a movement of social emancipation that is important for the development of the country.