Starting this Tuesday, residents of Paraty and Paty do Alferes, both located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, can apply for the disaster withdrawal from the FGTS (Fundo de Garantia do Tempo de Serviço or Service Time Guarantee Fund). This decision follows significant rainfall that affected both municipalities last month, leading to the activation of assistance measures. The application period for the withdrawal ends on March 31, and eligible residents must not have accessed these funds for the same reason in the last 12 months, while also maintaining a positive balance in their accounts.

To facilitate access to these funds, the Caixa Econômica Federal, the bank responsible for managing the FGTS, states that residents do not need to visit a physical branch to make their requests. Instead, approvals can be processed through the FGTS app where necessary documentation must be uploaded to the local Civil Defense's online services. This streamlining of the process is designed to support residents quickly as they recover from the impact of the severe weather.

The disaster relief allows individuals to withdraw a maximum amount of R$ 6,220. Furthermore, claimants can choose to receive their funds in an account with any bank, free of charge, thereby ensuring that financial assistance reaches those in need without undue burden. The program aims to ease the economic impact of natural disasters on vulnerable populations in the affected areas, highlighting the government's role in disaster response and recovery efforts.