Income limit for access to BPC increases after National Congress overturns Bolsonaro's veto
In a joint session this Wednesday (11), the National Congress overturned President Jair Bolsonaro's veto of a bill that increases the income limit to obtain the Continuous Benefit Payment (BPC).
With this change, seniors over 65 and people with disabilities with a per capita family income of less than half the minimum wage – R$519.50, based on the current wage – will be entitled to the benefit. The limit is currently one quarter of a minimum wage, or R$259.75 per family member.
With the veto overturned, the sections will be restored and enacted by Congress. The issue will not return to President Jair Bolsonaro's desk. If the government wants to contest the change, it will have to go to court.
More people will be entitled to the benefit and, according to the Ministry of Economy, the impact on public quotas will be around R$20 billion per year. And it will reach around R$23.3 billion in 2029.
Among the deputies, there were 302 votes to 137 in favor of overturning the veto. And among the senators, the veto was overturned by 45 votes to 14.
To be eligible for BPC, elderly people or people with disabilities must prove that they do not have their own means of supporting themselves, nor do they have support from family members. The benefit, worth one minimum wage (currently R$1,045), is paid monthly.
President's veto
Upon receiving the document approved by Congress, Bolsonaro decided to veto the proposal in its entirety. According to him, the text did not indicate where the money to cover the new expenses would come from.
Maia tries to reach an agreement
Rodrigo Maia (DEM-RJ), president of the Chamber, said he had spoken with party leaders with the aim of trying to maintain the presidential veto.
In the parliamentarian's assessment, overturning the veto “does more harm than good.” And it has budgetary consequences for the current year and the coming years.
“The impact is huge. At a difficult time, at a time when the Brazilian economy is already showing signs that it will not grow (…) with great nervousness among economic players. I think it was a misguided signal,” said Maia.
“Of course, everyone wants to improve the value of the BPC, the Bolsa Família, and improve social investments in Brazil. Right now, the budget is just one budget. So, when you make the decision to create expenses on one side, you have to understand that you may even run the risk of having less space to obtain more resources to combat the coronavirus,” concluded the Speaker of the Chamber.