Lula Raises Bolsa Familia Benefits 15% Ahead of Election

This is a programme that has changed the lives of millions of Brazilians, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said as he signed a decree raising the minimum Bolsa Família benefit 15 percent, from 600 to 691 reais a month starting next month. He and ministers announced it Thursday in Brasília. The decree adjusts for inflation since March 2023; Planning Minister Bruno Moretti put the rise from the March relaunch through August at 15.04 percent. Finance Minister Dario Durigan said spending stays within existing allocations, and called the programme central to our strategy to look after more vulnerable families. Lula added it is income to put food on the table and more dignity for Brazilian families. The October 4 first round pits Lula, seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term, against Flávio Bolsonaro; polls show them neck-and-neck. Lula launched Bolsa Família in 2003 with school and health conditions. Jair Bolsonaro replaced it with Auxílio Brasil before 2022 and is serving 27 years for attempting a coup. Al Jazeera, citing a Reuters analysis, said his government spent about 273 billion reais boosting cash payments in 2022-2023. Durigan separately said a debt-relief idea is about making it possible for people who today have more jobs, more income and greater access to quality services to start over.