RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The App for casual workers to register to collect emergency aid of R$600 (US$150), provided by the government to tackle the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, is now available for download.
To apply for the benefit, simply access the website or download the ‘Caixa Auxílio Emergencial’ (Emergency Assistance Benefit) App for Android and iOS devices, such as iPhones.
At the end of each day, the App will direct the data entered into it as well as on the website to Dataprev (IT service management company) for checking and determining who meets the criteria to be granted the aid. Following this check, the Citizenship Ministry receives the information and releases the funds for the bank to effect payment. The money is expected to reach this group’s account within five working days after data registration and validation.
The emergency aid is a monthly benefit granted by the government to casual workers, individual micro-entrepreneurs (MEI), the self-employed and the unemployed. Payments will be made during three months.
However, not everyone needs to register on the App or website. It is intended for casual, self-employed and MEI workers who are not yet registered with the government’s social programs system. In other words, they are not registered in the Single Registry (CadÚnico) and do not benefit from the ‘Bolsa Família’ (Family Grant).
Those already registered in the CadÚnico and those who already benefit from the Family Grant do not need to download the App or register on the website because their data is already registered in the government system.
If workers already registered in CadÚnico try to register in the government platform they will receive a message saying that there is no need to complete registration.
After registering, you can track whether you will receive emergency assistance by checking the website or App.
The App has already received more than 3.5 million registrations. It is estimated that 15 million Brazilians registered yesterday alone. By Thursday, 40 million registrations are expected. The government estimates that there are between 15 and 25 million workers who will be eligible for the benefit in the country.
Anyone with questions may ask for help by calling a central hotline (number 111), which allows checking whether an individual is listed in the CadÚnico, Bolsa Família and if the worker needs to register in the App or website.
To register in the App, it is necessary to insert the CPF (Individual Register). Only with this data will the worker be able to register to collect the benefit. In the absence of a smartphone, workers can access the website or ask relatives to download the App and register.
The benefit can be received by up to two members in the same household. It is intended for older citizens without formal employment, such as casual workers, whether employed, self-employed or unemployed, including the intermittently inactive, registered in the Single Registry by March 20th. The measure also includes individual micro-entrepreneurs (MEI) and individual Social Welfare taxpayers.
However, a number of requirements must be met: only workers with a monthly family income of up to half a minimum wage (R$522.50) per person or a total monthly family income of up to three minimum wages (R$3,135) will be entitled to the benefit. Workers cannot have had taxable income in 2018 above R$28,559.70. That is, to have earned over R$2,379 per month that year.
The decree that regulates emergency aid was signed yesterday by the Minister of Citizenship, Onix Lorenzoni.
Payments in 45 days
The government’s goal is to ensure that the three installment payments provided for in the measure are completed within the next 45 – 50 days.
Firstly, workers who have a savings account at Caixa Econômica (Savings Bank) and a current account at the Bank of Brazil and were registered with CadÚnico by March 20th are expected to be paid. The priority will be given due to operational issues as with the immediate withdrawal of FGTS (Severance Indemnity Fund). For such cases, payments are expected to be processed as of Thursday, April 9th.
Those who have an account with other banks will be paid into the account at a later time.
The first installment should be paid by April 14th, next Tuesday, for most eligible workers. At that time, free digital accounts will also be made available, through which workers will be able to manage the amounts.
The exception is the payment to Family Grant recipients, which will follow the normal benefit schedule as of April 16th.
Casual workers who were not registered in the CadÚnico may also wait a little longer to be paid the first installment of the benefit, since the government will have to check whether the worker qualifies for the measure. For these workers, the payment may take five additional working days as of April 14th. In other words, these workers may only be paid on April 21st.
The second installment will be paid between April 27th and 30th to all workers. “Due to the magnitude of the operation, the payment of the first installment will take longer. But as of the second installment, the plan is for everyone to be paid together and faster,” says Pedro Guimarães, from Caixa.
The third installment will be paid between May 26th and 29th for all those eligible.
Digital account
Pedro Guimarães, from Caixa, points out that approximately ten million workers do not yet have a bank account and will be able to benefit from a free digital account to be paid the benefit’s three installments. After the registration App, Caixa will launch the tool next week.
Transfers, Credit Order Documents, and payment of bills can be carried out through the digital account, with no charges. The goal is for people not to need to leave home and avoid crowding in banks as a means to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Beware of fraud
The government points out that it has already taken down several fraudulent websites that seek to mislead workers. This is why it is essential that workers only register through the official Caixa App and website. “Any other App or website is fake,” says Guimarães.
All you need to know about the emergency aid
Who is entitled to the benefit?
1. Workers who meet one of the following criteria:
To be an individual micro-entrepreneur (MEI);
To be an individual or optional taxpayer of the General Regime of Social Welfare (RGPS);
To be a casual worker registered in the Single Registry – those who are not registered may submit a self-declaration through an App available as of Tuesday, April 7th;
To have fulfilled the average income requirement by March 20th, 2020.
2. To be over 18 years old;
3. A family income per capita (per person) of up to half minimum wage (R$522.50) or total monthly family income of up to three minimum wages (R$3,135);
4. Not having had taxable income above R$28,559.70 in 2018.
Who is not entitled to the aid
Those with active formal employment;
Those within a household with an income exceeding three minimum wages (R$3,135.00), or whose monthly income per person exceeds half a minimum wage (R$522.50);
Those receiving Unemployment Insurance;
Those receiving social welfare, assistance or federal income transfer benefits, with the exception of the Family Grant;
Those who received taxable income above the ceiling of R$28,559.70 in 2018, according to the income tax return.
How many people can be benefited per family?
A maximum of two people per family may receive the R$600 emergency aid. Mothers in charge of the family are entitled to receive double the benefit, i.e. R$1,200.
When can I withdraw the benefit?
Payments are expected to begin this week. According to the schedule, the first installment should be made to workers by April 21st. Later, between April 27th and 30th, the government will pay the second installment and the third between May 27th and 29th.
Where can I withdraw the benefit?
The benefit will be paid by digital transfer, by transfer to accounts in private banks, to savings accounts and current accounts in federal banks, in branches of public federal banks, in electronic service terminals and lottery houses.
How do I know if I am enrolled in the Single Registry (CadÚnico)?
To consult your registration, the Ministry of Citizenship has provided the My CadÚnico mobile App, which is available for download at Android and Apple stores and on the Ministry of Citizenship’s website.
What should I do if I am not included in the Single Registry?
Anyone who meets the requirements to receive emergency aid and is not on the Single Registry may self-declare through the App launched by Caixa on Tuesday, April 7th.
I am a Family Grant recipient. Can I benefit from emergency aid?
Yes, if the emergency aid is more advantageous than the amount received in the Family Grant Program. Since the members of the Bolsa Família are already listed in the Single Registry, it will not be required to request a change in the benefit.
How long will the emergency aid last?
Three months, at first, the most acute period of the coronavirus pandemic.
I am listed in the Single Registry and I have accounts in banks other than the Caixa Econômica and Bank of Brazil. Where will I receive the benefit?
Any person registered who holds a bank account in any financial institution will have the benefit deposited in their usual account, free of charge.
I have outstanding debts like overdraft and other debts. Will these debts be automatically charged when the benefit is deposited?
No. The aid amount will not be used to repay prior debts. It will be shielded in your account. This is an emergency aid to help support families during this exceptional period.
I have a prepaid smartphone, but I’m out of credit. How do I download the App?
Even if your prepaid phone has no credit, you can download the ‘Caixa Auxilio Emergencial’ App easily. In extreme cases, where an individual does not have a cell phone or internet access, they may register with CPF at a Caixa Econômica Federal branch or in lottery houses.
I am not included in the Family Grant, in the Single Registry and I do not have an account in any financial institution. How can I receive the benefit?
The Caixa Econômica will promote the financial inclusion of the less assisted population through the creation of digital accounts. These accounts will be free of charge and the money deposited can be used to pay bills, transfers and Credit Order Documents for free.
Will I be able to withdraw the money received by the Emergency Aid?
To avoid a collapse of the Financial System, since tens of millions of people will receive the aid, the Caixa Econômica will publish a schedule to organize the cash withdrawals of the deposited amount.
Source: Exame