Dino authorizes payment of compensation and pension for victims of the Zika virus

Minister Flávio Dino , of the Federal Supreme Court, authorized this Monday 11 the federal government to immediately begin paying compensation and lifelong pensions to children with permanent disabilities caused by the Zika virus , opening a temporary exception to the requirements of the Fiscal Responsibility Law and the Budget Guidelines Law.

Victims are entitled to a one-time compensation of R$50,000 and a monthly pension equivalent to the INSS (National Institute of Social Security) ceiling, approximately R$8,000 . The minister's decision allows payment even without prior submission of the estimated budget impact and the funding source, which must be regularized by March 31, 2026.

Dino emphasized the " absolutely exceptional " nature of the situation, marked by a serious social vulnerability and public health situation, and justified the urgent need for the measure to prevent irreversible worsening of the conditions of the affected children and adolescents. According to him, the benefit reaches a specific and limited group, which differentiates it from general public policies.

The impasse has been dragging on since President Lula (Workers' Party) vetoed the lifetime pension, citing fiscal incompatibility, and Congress overrode the veto . A provisional measure enacted to guarantee the payment expired without approval. The Attorney General's Office then filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to ensure legal certainty for the implementation of the benefits.

With Dino's decision, the government will be able to begin paying benefits immediately, ensuring support for families affected by the Zika outbreak while aiming to comply with fiscal regulations by the deadline.