Social Water and Sewage Tariff: who is entitled and how to request it?

The Social Water and Sewage Tariff is a topic in the spotlight, as the Bill (PL 9343/18) that provides for the benefit was recently approved in the Chamber.

And, although there is still no official page on Gov.br for the benefit as it is new, we already have some information that can help us understand how it works, and especially who is entitled to the program.

That said, in today's material we will present some important information on the subject, so keep reading!

What is the Social Water and Sewage Tariff?

The Social Tariff for Water and Sewage is still a subject that is not very widespread, considering that the approval of the bill that provides for it only occurred in 2024.

But, in practice, the idea of this program is to reduce costs related to an essential service for low-income families.

And, considering that water and sewage services are fundamental to life and development, the high cost of tariffs can become a hindrance for less financially advantaged citizens.

For this reason, the idea of the Social Water and Sewage Tariff is precisely to offer discounts and special rates for these families, in order to favor access.

So, in practice, the program works very similarly to the famous Social Electricity Tariff, but later on we will see that the applicability has some differences.

Read too: Straw Hat Program: how it works and who can participate – VitalyBrasil.

Who is entitled to the Social Water and Sewage Tariff?

As we explained previously, the Social Water and Sewage Tariff is, as its name suggests, a social benefit.

Therefore, to be eligible, you must meet the basic criteria for granting social benefits, which usually involve socioeconomic classification.

That said, see in detail what the requirements are to be eligible for the program:

• Family income of up to ½ minimum wage per member, or total family income of maximum 
• 2 minimum wages, for families with up to 4 members.
• Property with up to 70 m² of built area for residential purposes.
• Consumption coverage of up to 10 m³, so that excess consumption will be charged at the regular rate.

It is important to make some observations:

1. These requirements are not official, considering that there is still no official page advertising the benefit.
2. Requirements may vary depending on the region and the rules of the water and sewage company that serves your address.

Furthermore, as we have seen, commercial properties are currently not entitled to the Social Water and Sewage Tariff, regardless of the consumption range and size of the built area.

What discounts are offered by the program?

The rules for applying the Social Water and Sewage Tariff have not yet been officially defined by the Government, so for now they are at the discretion of the region's supply company.

But, in general, the discounts offered to beneficiaries are as follows:

• Discount of up to 50% on the monthly water supply tariff;
• Application of the lowest tariff for consumption of up to 10 m³;
• Exemption from charges.

It is clarified that, unlike the Social Electricity Tariff, in this case there is still no defined proportional discount based on consumption.

However, it is likely that as the implementation of the program progresses, rules will be established that will change this scenario, therefore, it is worth keeping an eye on updates made on the official Government websites.

Can Bolsa Família beneficiaries receive it?

A frequent question among applicants is whether Bolsa Família beneficiaries can also count on the Social Water and Sewage Tariff, and the good news is that yes.

This is because the requirements for both programs are the same, including income, which must be equivalent to, at most, ½ the current national minimum wage.

Furthermore, Bolsa Família beneficiaries tend to have an easier time applying, as they have updated data in the Single Registry.

Therefore, if you receive Bolsa Família, know that there is, in principle, no impediment to your family becoming a beneficiary of the program.

See how to request the Social Water and Sewage Tariff 

The request for the Social Water and Sewage Tariff does not yet occur through conventional Government means, that is, by registering with CadÚnico.

This is because, as we explained, the supply companies themselves are responsible for selecting homes and applying discounts.

Therefore, if you wish to participate, you must go to a company service location in your region to request inclusion.

It is worth mentioning that for this you need to bring identification documents, as well as proof of address and income.

If you are registered with CadÚnico, this procedure can become even simpler, as socioeconomic analysis will not be necessary.

Finally, this is currently the most practical request method, so check whether the company responsible for supplying your region applies the special rate, and what criteria it requires.

+Housing Aid: who is entitled to receive it? – VitalyBrasil