Bolsa Família is Brazil’s flagship cash-transfer program, and most families today track payments by phone.
This guide explains how to check Bolsa Família Balance using your smartphone or internet access.
All steps below reference official guidance from the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance (MDS) and Caixa Econômica Federal.
Before You Start: What You Need
Your CPF and/or NIS number at hand. The NIS (Número de Identificação Social) appears on your Bolsa Família card and is used for payment scheduling.
An up-to-date registration in Cadastro Único, which is the entry point for federal social programs.
If your data is outdated, payments may be blocked or reviewed. A smartphone with internet access to install the official apps described below.
Tip: Keep your family data up to date at your city’s CRAS or social-assistance office. The ministry recommends updating data regularly to avoid interruptions.
Option 1 — Check by the Official Bolsa Família App (recommended)
The Bolsa Família app, managed by CAIXA, shows payment dates, released installments, and a detailed statement of your benefit.
It’s available for Android and iOS.
How to install (Android and iOS):
- Open the Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your phone.
- Search for “Bolsa Família” and select the official CAIXA app (verify the developer as Caixa Econômica Federal).
- Tap Install (Android) or Get (iOS).
How to log in and see your balance:
- Open the app and choose “Quero entrar com a minha senha do App Bolsa Família”.
- Enter your CPF and the password you already use with CAIXA social apps (Bolsa Família/FGTS/Benefícios Sociais) or create a new password if needed.
- After login, the home screen displays your next payment date, released parcels, and you can open the statement (extrato) to view amounts and status.
What you can see inside the app:
- Calendar of payments according to the last digit of your NIS.
- Released installments (paid or available).
- Detailed statement (extrato) for each month.
Security note: Only use the official CAIXA app. There are third-party apps in the stores that claim to “consult Bolsa Família” but are not linked to the government. Avoid sharing your CPF/NIS in unofficial apps.
Option 2 — Check by CAIXA Tem (if you receive via Poupança Social Digital)
Some beneficiaries receive Bolsa Família into a CAIXA digital savings account.
If that’s your case, you can check the available balance and recent transactions directly in CAIXA Tem.
How to install and access:
- Install CAIXA Tem from Google Play or the App Store.
- Open the app and log in with your CPF and a verified phone number; you’ll receive a one-time code to proceed.
- Inside the app, check your saldo and extrato to confirm the credited benefit.
If you’re having trouble accessing CAIXA Tem, follow the troubleshooting steps on the official CAIXA website or contact phone support (see “Other ways to consult” below).
Confirm Your Payment Date: Know Your NIS
Bolsa Família payments follow a monthly calendar by NIS final digit (0–9).
Locate the final digit of your NIS on your card or app, then consult the official payment calendar.
The MDS publishes the calendar annually.
You can also view dates inside the Bolsa Família app’s calendar section.
Other Ways to Check (if you don’t have a smartphone)
Even without mobile internet, you have official options to consult your benefits:
Phone 111 (Atendimento CAIXA ao Cidadão): Call and follow the menu (1, then 3), then enter your NIS/CPF to check your benefit status.
In person: CAIXA branches and lottery outlets can inform you of available installments when you present your document/card.
(Your city’s social-assistance service can also guide you on registration and updates.)
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
Solve every to check Bolsa Família Balance.
I can’t log in to the Bolsa Família app
Make sure you’re using the official app by CAIXA and your CPF is typed correctly.
If you forgot the password, use the password recovery option or create a new one.
The official step-by-step from CAIXA explains how to complete the email confirmation before logging back in.
The app shows no new installment, but the calendar indicates a payment this week
Check the NIS final digit and confirm the exact date on the official calendar; amounts appear when the parcel is released for your NIS group.
If the date is correct and nothing appears, verify whether your Cadastro Único data is updated; pending reviews can delay or suspend payment until regularized.
Contact your municipal CRAS if needed.
CAIXA Tem doesn’t open or asks for verification repeatedly
Use the official guidance at the CAIXA Tem portal to validate your number and device, or contact Alô CAIXA if problems persist.
I saw news about changes in values or “extra bonuses.” Is that real?
Be careful with rumors on social networks.
Official program rules and values are defined by law and government communications.
Several viral claims about priorities, cancellations, or bonuses have been debunked by fact-checking outlets citing MDS. Always confirm via gov.br or CAIXA.
Safety Tips to Protect Your Benefit
Use only official channels: the Bolsa Família app, CAIXA Tem, websites ending in caixa.gov.br, and CAIXA phone numbers.
Never pay fees to receive benefits. The government warns that your payment is integral and must be made through official channels without fees.
Do not share codes or passwords received by SMS/WhatsApp with third parties.
Avoid third-party “consultation” apps that are not from CAIXA or gov.br; some display ads or request data unnecessarily and are not official.
Check Bolsa Família Balance: Which App Should I Use?
Use the Bolsa Família app if your goal is to see payment dates, released installments, and statements specific to the benefit.
It’s the most direct view of your Bolsa Família status.
Use CAIXA Tem if you deposit into a digital savings account and want to check your balance or move funds.
You’ll log in with your CPF and confirm a code.
Final Word
To check Bolsa Família balance by mobile, you use the official tools.
The Bolsa Família app provides the clearest view of installments and payment dates, while CAIXA Tem helps when your benefit is deposited into a digital account.
Keep an eye on the NIS-based calendar, safeguard your login information, and rely on gov.br and CAIXA sources to avoid misinformation.
