CadÚnico and BPC: Mandatory Registration in 2026 with INSS

This page is a translation of the original Portuguese text, provided for convenience. It deals with Brazilian law. If there is any discrepancy, the Portuguese version prevails. Read the original in Portuguese

Since 2016, enrollment in the Single Registry for Social Programs of the Federal Government (CadÚnico) has been a mandatory requirement for receiving and keeping BPC/LOAS (Brazil’s means-tested Continuous Cash Benefit).

Why CadÚnico Is Mandatory for the BPC

Since 2016, enrollment in the Single Registry for Social Programs of the Federal Government (CadÚnico) has been a mandatory requirement for receiving and keeping BPC/LOAS. Without an up-to-date CadÚnico record, INSS (Brazil’s National Social Security Institute) will not review a BPC application, and beneficiaries who fail to keep their registration current may have their benefit suspended.

The registry allows the federal government to verify the true socioeconomic situation of families and to target public policies more efficiently.

CadÚnico is the government’s main tool for identifying low-income families and targeting public policies. For the BPC, it serves as proof of your household composition and per capita income. Learn more about our services in practice areas.

How to Register in CadÚnico

Registration is done in person at the CRAS (Social Assistance Reference Center) in your municipality. Here are the steps:

1. Find the CRAS closest to your home
2. Schedule an appointment (some municipalities require advance scheduling)
3. Go with the head of the household (a person over 16 years old, preferably a woman)
4. Bring the documents of every family member
5. After registration, write down the Social Identification Number (NIS) that is assigned to you

Documents You Need for CadÚnico

• CPF (Brazil’s individual taxpayer ID number) or voter registration card of the head of the household (required)
• CPF of every family member aged 16 or older
• Birth or marriage certificate of every family member
• Recent proof of residence
• Work card (carteira de trabalho), if you have one
• Proof of income (pay stub, statement, or bank statement)

When to Update CadÚnico

You must update your CadÚnico record every 2 years, or whenever your household composition or income changes. The following situations require an immediate update:

• Birth or death of a family member
• Change of address
• Change in household income (new job, dismissal, retirement)
• Marriage, separation, or a new stable union (união estável, a legally recognized common-law partnership)
• A person moving into or out of the household

If you need to update CadÚnico urgently, check the hours of the CRAS in your city. The tools can help you organize the documents you need.

What Happens If Your CadÚnico Record Is Out of Date

A BPC beneficiary who does not keep CadÚnico up to date may face the following consequences:

• Benefit block: payment is temporarily suspended
• Notice to update: INSS sends a notice with a deadline to fix the problem
• Termination of the BPC: if the problem is not resolved by the deadline, the benefit may be canceled

If your BPC has been suspended because your registration was not updated, go to the CRAS immediately. Once your record is back in order, the benefit may be reinstated.

Important Tips

Always keep proof of your CadÚnico registration. The summary sheet showing your NIS is the document that proves you are enrolled. Keep your update receipts as well, since you may need them if INSS reviews your BPC.

The BPC is an assistance benefit that does not require prior contributions to INSS, unlike social security benefits. To qualify, you must show that your per capita household income is below one quarter of the minimum wage. INSS conducts a social assessment and, for people with disabilities, a medical and social assessment to verify that you meet the requirements.

Since Decree 11.016/2022 took effect, the definition of family used to calculate per capita income for the BPC has changed in important ways. The household group now includes the applicant, the spouse or partner, the parents (when the applicant is a minor), minor or incapacitated children and siblings, and a stepmother or stepfather. Other income, such as a BPC already received by another family member, is not counted.

BPC beneficiaries must update their CadÚnico record at least every two years. Failing to do so may result in suspension of the benefit. The update is done in person at the CRAS (Social Assistance Reference Center) in the municipality where you live.

Why Keeping Your Registration Current Matters

The requirement that BPC/LOAS beneficiaries enroll in CadÚnico is meant to ensure greater transparency and control in the granting of assistance benefits. The registry allows the federal government to verify the true socioeconomic situation of families and to target public policies more efficiently. Failing to enroll, or failing to update your record, may result in suspension of the benefit.

You must register for CadÚnico in person at a Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS) or at a registration site run by your municipality. Bring identity documents and the CPF of every family member, current proof of residence, and proof of income. You must update your registration every two years, or whenever your household composition or income changes.

Families with elderly members or members with disabilities should pay particular attention to update deadlines. Failing to meet this obligation can lead to suspension and, later, cancellation of the BPC. If you have questions about the process, the CRAS in your municipality can give you detailed guidance on the documents you need and its hours of operation.

For more information about the BPC and other assistance benefits, see the firm’s complete guide on how to appeal a denied BPC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is entitled to the BPC/LOAS?

The BPC is guaranteed to people aged 65 or older and to people with disabilities of any age who can show they have no means of supporting themselves. Per capita household income must be below one quarter of the minimum wage. The benefit is an assistance benefit and does not require prior contributions to INSS, but it does require enrollment in CadÚnico.

What is the maximum income to receive the BPC?

Per capita household income must be below one quarter of the minimum wage for the BPC to be granted. The calculation counts the income of every member of the household group. Some benefits, such as a BPC already received by another family member, may be excluded from the calculation under the regulations currently in force.

Do I have to keep CadÚnico up to date to keep receiving the BPC?

Yes. Enrollment and updates in CadÚnico are mandatory for receiving and keeping the BPC. You must update your record at least every two years at the CRAS in the municipality where you live. Failing to do so may result in suspension of the benefit.

As informações deste artigo são de caráter informativo e não substituem consulta jurídica individualizada. Cada caso possui particularidades que exigem análise específica.