Minister of Social Security intensifies supervision of temporary benefits: 'Fine comb' affects 800,000 beneficiaries, including sickness benefit
The Minister of Social Security clarified that the review should be carried out every two years, but temporary benefits have not undergone this evaluation since 2019. The objective is to check the validity of benefits that have been active for the longest time.
Minister of Social Security, Carlos Lupi - Photo Reproduction/Joedson Alves/Agência Brasil
The Ministry of Social Security announced this Friday (5) an intensification of monitoring measures for temporary benefits granted by the government, with a "fine-tooth comb" that covers approximately 800 thousand beneficiaries, which may vary slightly more or less. Among those who stand out are those who receive sickness benefits.
According to the Minister of Social Security, Carlos Lupi, this type of review was expected to take place every two years. However, in the case of temporary benefits, it has not been carried out since 2019. The objective is to verify the validity of benefits that have been in force for longer. According to the minister, all beneficiaries who have received temporary benefits for more than two years need to undergo a new assessment to confirm whether they are still entitled to the benefit.
Scope and Methodology
The minister clarified that it will not be necessary to summon all beneficiaries for an in-person examination, as many cases will only be resolved through cross-analysis of registration data. According to him, there is no automatic call for all beneficiaries for this review, which could cause long queues at service stations. He highlighted that the process will be gradual. According to him, a screening system has already been initiated to investigate possible irregularities and correct the course of things. He stated that this can be done every two years. Furthermore, he highlighted that they will be focused mainly on temporary benefits, correcting errors that may have been committed and, above all, curbing unscrupulous actions by intermediaries.
Among the benefits subject to review are the salary bonus - the 14th annual salary for formal workers with an income of up to two minimum wages - sickness benefit, unemployment insurance and defense insurance for artisanal fishermen. Furthermore, the registration review will also cover permanent programs such as the Continuous Payment Benefit (BPC), which ensures a minimum wage for the elderly and people with disabilities in vulnerable situations, considering as a criterion a per capita family income equal to or less than 1/4 of the minimum wage.
According to the minister, the INSS, in collaboration with the medical expertise sector of the Ministry of Social Security, is leading this process. The verification, which began in August, has no completion date. The data will be analyzed and cross-referenced, and people will be informed without the need for a face-to-face meeting.
Objective of Inspection
In May this year, according to data from the Ministry of Social Security, the total number of temporary benefits in force, including administrative disability and administrative analysis, reached 1.36 million. This initiative complements other recent cadastral reviews conducted by the government, such as those for Bolsa Família beneficiaries and permanent benefits from the National Social Security Institute (INSS).
The objective is to free up resources in the budget for discretionary expenses of ministries, which are under pressure due to the limit of the fiscal framework, a new rule for public finances, in short, the goal is to help the government achieve the primary result target (revenues minus expenses, excluding debt interest) established for 2024 and 2025, which is zero deficit.
This week, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad (PT) informed journalists that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had ordered strict compliance with tax guidelines "at any cost". He also authorized a cut of R$25.9 billion in mandatory expenses, although it did not provide specific details on what these expenses would be. Behind the scenes, the analysis is that the review of social security benefits will contribute significantly to the expected savings. More structural measures would be discussed at a later time.
Social and Economic Impact
For beneficiaries who depend on this temporary aid, the measure could represent a significant impact, both positive and negative. Those who regularly meet the conditions for receipt will have their rights preserved, while severe measures will be taken against those who try to circumvent the system.
