Lula asked for Bolsonaro's ineligibility in 2022 after increase in Bolsa Família days before election

The readjustment of the Bolsa Família announced by the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) has again generated political debate. The measure, which increases the minimum amount of the benefit from R$ 600 to R$ 691, was announced a few days before the 2026 elections and brought back a discussion involving the use of social programs in electoral periods.

In 2022, when Jair Bolsonaro (PL) was vying for re-election, Lula’s campaign appealed to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) against measures adopted by the then government involving Brazil Aid, a program that replaced Bolsa Família at that time. The action called for an investigation into alleged abuse of political and economic power and questioned the increase in the benefit near the polls.

In that year, Brazil Aid had a high value of R$ 400 to R$ 600, with the approval of measures that expanded social benefits during the electoral period. According to information from the time, there was also the inclusion of new beneficiaries in the program.

New adjustment will be paid in October

In 2026, the Lula government announced a 15.04% update on the Bolsa Família, justifying that the increase represents a recomposition of the inflation accumulated by the INPC between March 2023 and August 2026.

Read also: Bolsa Família gains new value and readjustment begins in October

With the change, the minimum benefit goes to R$ 691, while the average estimated value rises from approximately R$ 675 to R$ 777. Payments with the new amounts begin on the October sheet, starting on the 19th.

Moment of announcement generates reaction

The timing of the readjustment has come under criticism from political opponents, who question the announcement near the election period. The government, on the other hand, claims that the measure only recompose inflationary losses and follows fiscal and legal rules.

The debate reignites a discussion that marked the 2022 election: to what extent changes in income transfer programs during election periods can influence the political dispute.