Lula edits decree ensuring the additional payment of the Gas Aid until the end of 2023
Full payment of the value of the gas cylinder is guaranteed every two months according to the text. In addition, a provisional measure approved by Congress provides for a 50% complement to the benefit, but awaits Lula's sanction.
Aid has been paid to low-income families since 2021 - Reproduction Photo/Internet
On Thursday (June 1st), a decree by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) established a 50% increase in the gas allowance payment until December 2023. With this measure, the benefit continues to fully cover the value of a gas cylinder every two months.
Provisional measure
The aid is intended for low-income families in the acquisition of gas cylinders for use in the kitchen. The additional amount had already been established by the government in January, through a provisional measure with immediate transit, however, it is necessary for approval of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate within a period of up to 120 days for it to become permanent law. However, the provisional measure was not approved by the National Congress until last Thursday, which was the deadline, resulting in the loss of validity of the measure as of this Friday (02).
The content of the measure was included in the Provisional Measure of Bolsa Família, which was approved by the Senate on Thursday. President Lula will have a period of 15 days to decide whether to sanction or veto the text, as soon as Congress sends the version approved by the parliamentarians to the Planalto Palace. Thus, the decree issued on Thursday prevents the additional aid from going unregulated and from being paid during that period. This is because the decrees are effective immediately and not approved by Congress.
Gas Allowance
The gas allowance was implemented during the administration of the former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) as a response to the fuel price crisis faced by Brazil. Initially, the gas allowance covered 50% of the value of a cylinder every two months. Later, under the same Bolsonaro administration, the benefit was expanded to cover 100% of the value of a canister, a measure that was maintained by the current government.
Who has the right
Families registered in the Single Registry for Social Programs of the federal government (CadÚnico), with monthly per capita family income equal to or less than half the minimum wage, are eligible to receive the aid. In addition, families that had members residing in the same household received the Benefit of Continuous Provision of social assistance (BPC), which guaranteed a monthly minimum wage for people with disabilities and the elderly aged 65 or over, provided they did not have the means to support themselves or their families.
The law stipulates that the aid will be granted "preferably to families with women victims of domestic violence who are under urgent protective measures".
Value
A National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) publishes monthly, on its website, until the tenth working day of the month, the average value of the national price of the 13 kg LPG cylinder. This information is used to determine the benefit amount after the assessment of the previous six months.
In the month of April, aid in the amount of BRL 110 was granted to 5.7 million families. The 2023 Budget includes resources for the payment of this benefit by the end of the year. The total amount planned for the Federal Government's investment in the Auxílio Gás program increased by 31.5%, from R$2.8 billion in 2022 to R$3.7 billion in 2023.
The payment
The benefit of the gas voucher is made available following the Auxílio Brazil payment schedule, based on the last digit of the Social Identification Number (NIS). The cards and passwords used to withdraw the Auxílio Brazil can be used to receive the gas voucher. Withdrawals can be carried out at lottery outlets, Caixa Aqui correspondents and self-service terminals. In addition, it is possible to receive the benefit through Caixa Tem's digital social savings.
The Gas Aid Program benefit is valid for 120 days from the date the payment is made available.
