Brazil’s Congress Upholds Lula’s BPC Veto, Keeping Mild Disabilities Eligible

Overview

• In a joint session, lawmakers sustained the presidential veto of a clause that would have limited the benefit to moderate or severe disabilities.
• The vote leaves eligibility unchanged, so people with mild disabilities remain able to receive the monthly minimum-wage payment.
• Under the law in force, access is granted based on evaluations conducted under federal criteria.
• The measure originated in a 2024 fiscal package, which Congress had amended to tighten access before the president struck the restriction.
• Lawmakers also kept a separate veto involving Bolsa Família priorities and overturned Lula’s veto to grant Embrapa exemptions from registration fees.