The plenary of the Federal Senate approved the provisional measure that established the Gás do Povo program.
The text guarantees free 13-kilogram cooking gas cylinders for families registered in the Federal Government’s Single Registry for Social Programs, as long as they have a per capita income of up to half the minimum wage.
The provisional measure, whose validity ends on February 11, was approved in less than 24 hours in both the Chamber and the Senate, and now goes to presidential approval, as parliamentarians made some changes to the text.
According to the Ministry of Development, Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger, Gás do Povo should be fully operational in March, when just over 15 million families will benefit.
Gas Aid, a benefit created by the last government and which allows the purchase of a 13-kilo cylinder every two months by around 4.4 million low-income families, will be replaced.
In its place, Gás do Povo consolidates free gas cylinders in more than 10,000 accredited dealers spread across the country, increasing the reach and number of families served, according to the government.
According to the program regulations, the number of free 13 kg refills will be four per year for families of two to three people; for families with four or more people, it will be six per year.
