Bolsa Família will have a new minimum floor of R$ 691 per family starting with the October 2026 payment cycle. The adjustment was established by Decree No. 13,120 of September 17, 2026, and Brazil's Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS) stated that the new amounts will begin to be paid under the October schedule, starting on October 19.
The most important point for beneficiaries is to distinguish the floor from the amount actually deposited. R$ 691 is not a single identical payment for every family. The calculation continues to reflect household composition and the benefits applicable to each member. In addition, specific program situations, such as the Protection Rule, can change the amount that reaches the account.
What changes in Bolsa Família starting in October 2026
According to MDS, the adjustment is 15.04% and updates the amounts based on the accumulated change in Brazil's INPC consumer price index between March 2023 and August 2026. The change covers the benefit floor and components used in the monthly calculation.
| Component | Previous amount | Amount from October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed family floor | R$ 600 | R$ 691 |
| Citizenship Income Benefit, per family member | R$ 142 | R$ 164 |
| Early Childhood Benefit, per child from birth to under age seven | R$ 150 | R$ 173 |
| Variable Family Benefit, per eligible family member | R$ 50 | R$ 58 |
MDS also stated that the estimated average benefit rises from R$ 675 to R$ 777. That average is an estimate for the overall beneficiary population and should not be used to predict the deposit for a specific family.
R$ 691 is the minimum, not the exact amount for every family
The Citizenship Income Benefit is calculated per family member. If the sum of that component is below R$ 691, the Complementary Benefit covers the difference needed to reach the floor. Families with young children, pregnant people, nursing mothers, children or teenagers in the covered age groups may receive additional components under the program rules.
For that reason, the actual amount may be higher than R$ 691. It is also important to note that families under the Protection Rule receive a fraction of the calculated benefit while they remain subject to that rule, according to the current criteria. Therefore, the correct way to know how much will actually be paid in October is to check the installment shown in the official channels for that specific family.
Regular Bolsa Família payment schedule for October 2026
Under the regular schedule, the payment date depends on the last digit of the Social Identification Number, known in Brazil as NIS, of the family representative. For October 2026, regular payments begin on October 19 and end on October 30.
| Last NIS digit | October 2026 payment date |
|---|---|
| 1 | October 19 |
| 2 | October 20 |
| 3 | October 21 |
| 4 | October 22 |
| 5 | October 23 |
| 6 | October 26 |
| 7 | October 27 |
| 8 | October 28 |
| 9 | October 29 |
| 0 | October 30 |
This is the regular schedule. Municipalities under a federally recognized emergency or public calamity may have unified payment on the first day of the schedule. Because this depends on a specific official measure and may change from month to month, beneficiaries should confirm whether an October notice applies to their municipality instead of assuming that an advance payment granted in a previous month will automatically continue.
How to check the payment date and amount
- Identify the last NIS digit. Check the number on the Bolsa Família card and use only the final NIS digit to find the date on the schedule.
- Compare it with the official schedule. Under the regular October schedule, NIS ending in 1 is paid on October 19 and the sequence continues through NIS ending in 0 on October 30.
- Open the Bolsa Família app. CAIXA states that the app allows users to check benefit status, the value of available installments and the payment schedule.
- Check financial activity in CAIXA Tem when that is your payment channel. The app allows users to view balances and statements and to move money in the digital account.
- Read benefit messages and notices. If there is a block, registration issue or specific instruction, follow the indicated channel and use official assistance when needed.
The adjustment does not create a new general eligibility rule
Decree No. 13,120 updated Bolsa Família financial amounts. It should not be interpreted as automatically changing the program's general eligibility criteria. On its current program page, MDS states that the entry rule is monthly per capita family income of up to R$ 218 for families registered in Cadastro Único, and it explains that entry is not automatic because it depends on the selection process and available budget. Families already receiving the program may also be subject to specific continuation rules, such as the Protection Rule.
For beneficiaries who already receive the program, the new floor does not mean everyone must register again solely because of the adjustment. What remains necessary is keeping Cadastro Único information correct and up to date. MDS instructs families to update the registration at least every 24 months and whenever relevant information changes, such as address, income, employment or household composition.
What to check before the October payment
- whether the benefit appears as available, released, blocked or with a message in the app;
- the amount of the installment actually calculated for the family;
- the last NIS digit and the corresponding date on the schedule;
- whether there is an official unified payment notice for the municipality;
- whether Cadastro Único information remains correct and within the update deadline.
In short, October 2026 brings a higher floor of R$ 691, but the practical check must be made family by family. The official schedule shows when the installment can be accessed, while the Bolsa Família app shows the status and the amount calculated for the beneficiary's registration.
