Update CadÚnico for BPC in 2026: Deadlines and Complete Step-by-Step Guide

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

More than 5 million Brazilians receive BPC-LOAS (Brazil’s Continuous Cash Benefit), according to data from Brazil’s Ministry of Social Development (MDS), 2025. All of them must keep their CadÚnico (Brazil’s Unified Registry for Social Programs) up to date to avoid losing their payments. The rule is simple: if you don’t update your registration every 24 months, you face a real risk of losing the benefit.

What is CadÚnico, and how does it relate to BPC?

CadÚnico registers more than 40 million low-income families in Brazil, according to the MDS, 2025. It is the tool that identifies who is entitled to social programs. For BPC, it serves as proof of the vulnerability required by Law No. 8.742/93 (LOAS, Brazil’s Organic Law on Social Assistance).

All of them must keep their CadÚnico up to date to avoid losing their payments.

BPC guarantees one monthly minimum wage to two groups: people with disabilities and older adults aged 65 or over. In both cases, the family’s per capita income must be below 1/4 of the minimum wage, under Article 20, §3º of the LOAS. Without an up-to-date CadÚnico, the government cannot verify these conditions.

Decree 11.016/2022 regulates CadÚnico and makes periodic updates mandatory. Can you imagine losing a benefit that supports your family because of a registration problem? That is exactly what the law aims to prevent.

What are the mandatory deadlines for updating CadÚnico?

Decree 11.016/2022, Article 6, requires an update every 24 months, and once the registration is 48 months out of date, the INSS (Brazil’s National Social Security Institute) may suspend the BPC (Joint Ordinance MDS/INSS No. 2/2015). Every beneficiary needs to know two kinds of deadlines.

Mandatory two-year update

Every 2 years, counting from the last update or from your entry into the system, the head of the family must go to the CRAS (Social Assistance Reference Center). This deadline applies to all beneficiaries without exception. Missing it puts your benefit directly at risk.

Update after a change in your information

Did you move? Did someone in your family get married, pass away, or have a child? Did anyone’s income go up or down? In these cases, the deadline is only 30 days after the change, according to MDS guidance. Don’t wait for the two-year update.

Situations that require an immediate update include:

• Change of address
• Change in family composition (birth, death, marriage, separation)
• Change in the income of any family member
• Change in personal information (documents, phone number)

How do you update CadÚnico, step by step?

About 80% of BPC blocks caused by outdated registrations could be avoided with a visit to the CRAS within the deadline, according to a survey by the INSS, 2025. The process is free and follows five clear steps.

1. Check whether you need to update

Check the date of your last update through the CadÚnico app or on the website meucadunico.cidadania.gov.br. You will need the NIS (Social Identification Number) of the head of the family. If more than 20 months have passed, it is time to start planning.

2. Gather documents for the whole family

Set aside the documents for each family member:

• CPF (Brazilian taxpayer ID number) or voter registration card (required for anyone over 16)
• Birth or marriage certificate
• Current proof of residence (electric, water, or phone bill)
• Work card (identification pages and most recent employment contract)
• Proof of income for all members (pay stub, self-employment statement, bank statements)
• For people with disabilities: an up-to-date medical report

3. Schedule an appointment at the CRAS

Go to the nearest Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS). Many municipalities allow you to schedule by phone or online, which shortens your wait. The head of the family must appear in person or send a legal representative with a specific power of attorney.

4. Complete the update interview

At the CRAS, an interviewer will confirm or change all of the family’s information. Provide accurate and complete information. False statements can lead to cancellation of the benefit and criminal liability (Article 299 of the Penal Code).

5. Keep your receipt

At the end, you receive an update receipt. Keep this document safe, because it proves you met the obligation within the deadline. Take a photo and save it on your phone as well. Learn more about Consensual Divorce: Complete Step-by-Step Guide for 2026.

What happens if you don’t update CadÚnico?

Joint Ordinance MDS/INSS No. 2/2015 authorizes suspension of the BPC when the registration is out of date for more than 48 months. And the consequences don’t stop there: they can even include having to repay money.

Suspension of the benefit. The INSS may block BPC payments when it detects a registration that is more than 48 months out of date. The block happens automatically through data cross-checking.

Permanent cancellation. After suspension, the beneficiary has 90 days to regularize the situation. If you don’t, the benefit is canceled. To receive it again, you will have to file a new administrative application, a process that can take months.

Repayment of amounts received. If the outdated registration concealed changes that would have affected your right to the benefit (such as an increase in income), the government may demand repayment of amounts paid improperly. Do you want to take that risk?

How do you check the status of your CadÚnico?

The CadÚnico app has been downloaded more than 10 million times from app stores, according to Google Play data, 2025. There are four official channels for quickly checking your registration status.

• CadÚnico app: Available for Android and iOS. Shows your full registration data and the date of your last update.
• Meu CadÚnico website: Go to meucadunico.cidadania.gov.br with your CPF and gov.br password.
• CRAS: Visit the social assistance center in your municipality in person.
• Phone 121: The Ministry of Citizenship’s call center, open during business hours.

What tips help you keep your BPC in good standing?

According to the INSS, 2025, thousands of benefits are suspended every month because CadÚnico was not updated. A few simple organizational habits can spare you that headache and protect your family’s livelihood.

Write down the date of your next update. As soon as you leave the CRAS, set a reminder on your phone’s calendar for two months before the deadline. Don’t rely on memory alone.

Report changes right away. If your family or income has changed, go to the CRAS within 30 days. Waiting for the two-year deadline can cause problems.

Keep your documents organized. Keep a folder (physical or digital) with up-to-date copies of all your family’s documents. When the time comes, you can just grab it and go.

Keep track of the INSS two-year review. Updating CadÚnico and the INSS review of your BPC are separate processes. Watch for notices sent by mail or through Meu INSS (the INSS app and website).

Visit the CRAS if you have questions. The service is free, and the staff can answer any question about your registration and benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is entitled to update CadÚnico for BPC?

The right to update CadÚnico for BPC depends on meeting specific requirements set by social security law. The insured person’s individual situation must be assessed, including contribution time, the minimum waiting period, and other criteria. Guidance from a social security lawyer helps determine whether all requirements are met.

Who can benefit from updating CadÚnico for BPC?

The benefit related to updating CadÚnico for BPC is provided for in social security law and may be requested by anyone who meets the legal criteria. Each case must be analyzed individually, taking into account the person’s contribution history and particular circumstances.

How does updating CadÚnico for BPC work?

Updating CadÚnico for BPC follows the rules set by Brazilian social security law. The process involves meeting requirements, submitting documentation, and review by the INSS. If you have questions or your claim is denied, you can seek specialized legal guidance.

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