The government of President Lula is set to begin disbursing the PIS/Pasep salary bonus on Monday, the 16th of this month. This initiative, approved by the Codefat (Advisory Council of the Worker Support Fund) late last year, will provide support to around 1.8 million formally employed workers under the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) and approximately 217,500 public servants born in January. The total payout amounts to R$ 2.5 billion, aimed at helping lower-income workers during the economic hardships that many are facing.

Starting this year, significant changes have been implemented regarding eligibility for the PIS/Pasep bonus. Primarily, the income threshold that determines access to the bonus has shifted from being tied to two minimum wages to being adjusted according to inflation as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (INPC). This adjustment, stemming from a constitutional amendment passed in 2024, aims to better reflect the economic realities affecting workers and provide them with timely financial support in line with the rising costs of living.

Payments will be processed through Caixa Econômica Federal and Banco do Brasil directly into the accounts of their customers. For those who are not clients of these banks, access to the funds will be made available after the Carnival holiday. Furthermore, the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) has indicated that further adjustments and monitoring will continue to ensure the effectiveness of these payments and their adherence to the updated eligibility criteria, as the government aims to safeguard the financial well-being of its citizens in the face of ongoing economic challenges.