Social Assistance
The Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS) is a government-run system that organizes and funds, since 2005, social assistance services in Brazil based on a participatory and decentralized management model. The system aims to guarantee social protection for families and individuals in a situation of vulnerability or social risk, through the provision of services, programs, projects and social assistance benefits.
The specific objectives are:
1° Ensure access to income by the population living in poverty or extreme poverty, and by elderly people and people with disabilities who are unable to maintain themselves or be maintained by their families;
2º Provide support for preventing and overcoming weaknesses in family, social and community relationships as the result of situations involving the abuse of rights, such as violence, neglect and abandonment;
3º Provide protection in situations of extreme risk such as public calamities;
4º Offer refuge to people who are temporarily or permanently homeless;
5º Assist people benefiting from the SUAS services to access other services provided under other sectoral policies, by establishing partnerships and taking joint initiatives;
6º Mobilize and sensitize communities.
The target audience is formed by individuals and families in a situation of vulnerability and social risk.
Access our introductory materials on the SUAS: Fact Sheet
The Continuous Welfare Benefit (BPC)
The BPC is an individual benefit, and is not for life and is non-transferable. To be eligible for the benefit, it is not necessary for a person to have contributed to the country’s Social Security system. It was established as a citizen’s right within Brazil’s social security architecture in order to provide income security for people in the population with no means of supporting themselves.
Child Labor Eradication Program (Peti)
The Peti involves cash transfers, social work with families, and the provision of socio-educational services for children and adolescents in a child labor situation.
Service of Protection and Integral Support to the Family (PAIF)
Run exclusively by the Reference Center for Social Assistance (CRAS), the service caters for needy families.
Service of Coexistence and Strengthening of Bonds (SCFV)
The SCFV involves social mentors/educators working with groups of up to 30 people with the aim of strengthening family and community links and preventing social risk situations from arising.
National Program for the Promotion of Access to the World of Work (Acessuas Trabalho)
Established in 2012, the program aims to foster the productive inclusion of users of the Unified Social Assistance System who are in situations of vulnerability.
And read more about the Participation of the Single System of Social Assistance (SUAS) in the Criança Feliz Program: Fact Sheet
All the content mentioned above can also be found in Publications.