Elderly

In Brazil, there are two mechanisms for protecting the elderly, the “Estatuto do Idoso” (Statute of the Elderly) and the “Política Nacional de Saúde do Idoso” (National Health Policy for the Elderly). The elderly must not suffer discrimination of any kind and they must be supported by their children in their old age. The elderly have the right to:

• Receive comprehensive health care through the public health network
• Receive treatment and be provided with prostheses, wheel chairs, glasses, hearing aids etc
• Receive priority treatment in public and private facilities

To report any form of violence against the elderly, contact the Human Rights Violations Hotline 100.

MOPS – open access portal that gathers and organizes information on the availability of services, public facilities and social programs identified in municipalities, microregions and states in the country.

I am over 60 years old. What kind of assistance can the government, UNHCR and its partners give me?

The government programme Benefit of Continuing Provision (BPC) is an individual benefit and it is not lifelong or transferable. Established by the 1988 Federal Constitution, it ensures the transfer of one (1) minimum wage for the elderly who is 65 (sixty-five) years or older and proves not to have means to support himself/herself or to be sustained by the family.

To be entitled to the benefit, the applicant must prove that the family’s monthly income per capita is less than one fourth (¼) of the minimum wage. The law determines that the benefit must go through an evaluation every two (2) years.

If you want to apply for the BPC, you should seek legal assistance with the Public Defender’s Office (DPU).