Nearly 1M families overcome poverty, leave welfare program

Almost 1 million families will no longer benefit from social welfare program Bolsa Família—but for a good reason: their income has increased, and they have overcome poverty. According to the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family, and the Fight Against Hunger, 958,000 families, representing 3.5 million people, left the program between January and July.

Minister Wellington Dias explained on Tuesday (Jul. 22), during Bom Dia, Ministro (Good Morning, Minister)—a program produced by Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC)—that families are leaving the program mainly due to stable employment or improved financial conditions through entrepreneurship.

Work income

Help for these families, the minister explained, has been provided through various government programs. “We offer a helping hand so they can gain qualifications and start their own businesses. And through income from work—as was the case with these families—3.5 million people have risen out of poverty since January of this year,” he added.

According to the minister, more than 8.6 million individuals have overcome poverty since the beginning of President Luiz Inácio Lula’s current term, which began in 2023. “These are people who left Bolsa Família based on their income. In total, we’re talking about nearly 24 million Brazilians rising out of poverty,” he said.

Challenging prejudice through education

Dias pointed out that, to qualify for the benefit, families must fulfill certain obligations.

“We have three areas of action. The first is education: Bolsa Família recipients must be enrolled in school, attending classes, and passing their courses. The second involves partnerships with states, municipalities, and the private sector, focusing on professional qualifications. The third is support for small businesses,” said the minister.

He added that, as long as people are able to work, they can exit Bolsa Família. “Many are moving into the middle class, which is expanding as a large portion of Bolsa Família recipients rise,” he said.