Rights Adjudication and Policy Choices in Social Assistance: the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court and the Maximum Income Threshold for the Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC)

ABSTRACT

This paper analyzes the implications of the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court judgment that expanded the number of people eligible for a social benefit called Benefício de Prestação Continuada. This judgment has policy implications and opportunity costs that become clear when the expected impact of this decision is compared to the cost and effectiveness of other social policies such as Bolsa Família and Brasil Carinhoso.

KEYWORDS:
Benefício de Prestação Constinuada; Brazilian Federal Supreme Court; judicialization of politics; social rights; Bolsa Família; social assistance