Almost 40 million Brazilians eligible for government social assistance programs

13/07/2002 - 14h05

Brasília, 13 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - More than 9 million Brazilian families with monthly incomes of up to R$90 (US$32) per person are eligible to participate in government social assistance programs. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) that works out to almost 40 million people. In order to facilitate access to the programs, the government has now established a Single Registration process. Ana Lobato, a special advisor to the presidential Chief of Staff, says that the measure will cut red tape, allowing families to participate in all social assistance programs with just one identification card. (AB)