Number of program payments fell from 21.6 million in December 2022 to 18.9 million in October 2025; government talks about increasing income, but many frauds were excluded
The number of beneficiaries continues to fall and reached 18.9 million in October. The social program renewed its minimum in the 3rd government of (PT). It is at its lowest level since July 2022, when it had 18.1 million families.
The data released now shows a negative balance of 2.7 million of subscribers compared to the end of 2022 – when (PL) left power. Departures began to be recorded with greater intensity in July this year.
The average Bolsa Família benefit in October is R$683.42. In December 2019, before the pandemic, the average aid was R$191.77. The increase in this period was 256.4%, well above accumulated inflation (39.9%).
The drop in registrations is mainly due to a fine-tooth comb that has been carried out by the government to remove people who no longer fit the program’s rules, such as in cases of fraud due to false information statements. The Planalto that these people left the program due to an increase in income, but tells the story incompletely.
The Single Registry, a system that gathers data from the poorest people in the country, in March 2025 to become more modern and efficient. Income data began to be updated automatically, reducing the possibility of fraud in social programs such as Bolsa Família.
Here is the negative balance of the program divided by region:
- North East: – 1.1 million
- Midwest: – 157,4 mil
- Norte: – 159,4 mil
- Southeast: – 1.1 million
- On the: – 181,4 mil
R$ 12.9 BILLION IN THE MONTH
In October 2025, the program had a monthly cost of R$12.9 billion to the public coffers. In January 2022, before being inflated, the cost in 30 days was R$3.7 billion – almost R$10 billion less than today.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Bolsa Família is deposited in a staggered manner. October payments on Monday (Oct 20). Beneficiaries with NIS (Social Identification Number) final 1 can now move amounts.
Whoever has 2 as the last digit of the NIS receives it this Tuesday (Oct 21), and so on. Transfers continue until the 31st.
BENEFICIARIES BY REGION
Here is the division, according to the Ministry of Social Development:
- North East – 8.8 million families served;
- Southeast – 5.3 million;
- Norte – 2.5 million;
- On the – 1.3 million;
- Midwest – 994 mil.
