First Step Project: See how it works (Salvador City Hall)

The First Step Project was designed to help and promote opportunities for families with children in the early childhood stage.

The idea behind the program is to provide financial assistance to Bolsa Família beneficiary families with children up to 5 years old.

This means that, in addition to receiving the federal benefit amounts, the citizens of Salvador can also receive the additional First Step if they meet the requirements.

Want to know more about it? Read on!

Get to know the First Step Project

Early childhood is a phase of great importance for human development, as it is when the capacity for learning is at its peak.

It is therefore essential that children have access to an adequate life, so that this development can take place in the best possible way.

However, especially for families in situations of social and/or financial vulnerability, offering guarantees may not be a simple task.

The idea of the First Step Project in the city of Salvador is to provide financial aid to help meet the needs of children up to 5 years old.

The benefit is specifically aimed at families with children who have not yet enrolled in nursery or pre-school due to unavailability of places.

In addition, the benefit is limited to a maximum of 3 children per family, with the exception of twins.

Who can't take part?

Earlier we talked about the target audience of the First Step Project, which, as we have seen, is aimed at Bolsa Família beneficiary families with children up to the age of 5 who are not enrolled in nursery or pre-school.

However, it is important to know that there are some criteria that make it impossible to receive the benefit:

• Parents or guardians who receive childcare allowance from their jobs;
• Parents or guardians who have withdrawn their children from the nursery or pre-school in which they were enrolled in order to receive the benefit;
• Children over 6 years old;
• Children who live in a region where there are places in nursery or pre-school;
• Children enrolled in a municipal daycare or preschool, or in partnership with the city government.

+Read also: What is the Bolsa do Povo benefit? - Valued.

Can children enrolled in private schools take part?

Sometimes, families who can't get a place in the public school system end up having to opt for the private school system, even if this compromises their monthly income.

With this situation in mind, the First Step Project is also aimed at these children, as long as the family meets the program's basic requirements.

In this case, when registering, all you have to do is present the documentation relating to the child's enrollment and attendance in the private school system.

How much is the benefit?

As we explained, the First Step Project works as a kind of "supplement" to the amounts paid by Bolsa Família.

This is because, in order to receive this municipal benefit, you must also receive the federal benefit, Bolsa Família.

But, after all, how much does the First Step Project pay?

The amount paid is R$ 81.50 per month per child who meets the requirements, with a maximum limit of 3 children (with the exception of twins).

The payment period lasts until the child reaches the age of 6 or gets a place in a nursery or pre-school.

It is worth mentioning that the benefit can be suspended if the family no longer meets any of the requirements, or if their situation changes, making them ineligible for the program.

Here's how to register for the First Step Project

A family's participation in the First Step Project is not automatic, so it is necessary to go through the registration procedure.

The good news is that the process is very simple, just follow the steps below:

1. Make an appointment on the website: Digital Savioror go to one of the service points from 8 a.m. to noon or from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

2. Go to the service point to register, carrying personal documents, including the children's documents.

3. After registering, wait for the First Step card to be released and delivered.

4. Once you have been granted the benefit, check the rules to ensure that you continue to receive it.

It's worth noting that, in addition to financial aid, the program provides various initiatives aimed at guaranteeing the child's health and development. Therefore, in order to continue receiving the monthly amount, it is necessary to take part in these initiatives.

In addition, families must re-register every 6 months at one of the city's service points.

How do I find the service center in my area?

The First Step Project has 10 service points distributed throughout the city, in order to serve all of Salvador's neighborhoods and regions.

Check out the list to find the service center closest to your address:

• City Hall-Center/Brotas neighborhood: Edif. Ranulfo Oliveira, Praça da Sé - Centro - Salvador - BA.
• Prefeitura-Bairro Subúrbio/Ilhas: Rua Pará, 15 - Paripe - Salvador - BA.
• City Hall - Cajazeiras neighborhood: Estrada da Paciência, Cajazeiras VIII (opposite Lojas Americanas) - Salvador - BA.
• City Hall - Itapuã neighborhood: Av. Dorival Caymmi, 17 - Itapuã - Salvador - BA.
• City Hall - Lower Town: Av. Porto dos Mastros, 65 - Ribeira - Salvador - BA.
• City Hall - Cabula neighborhood: Rua Silveira Martins, 185 - Cabula - Salvador - BA.
• City Hall - Pau da Lima neighborhood: Av. São Rafael, 185 - Pau da Lima. Zip code: 41253-190 - Salvador - BA.
• City Hall - Neighborhood VI - Barra/Pituba: Rua Marques de Monte Santo, 300 - Rio Vermelho - CEP: 41.940-330 - Salvador - BA.
• City Hall - Neighborhood VII - Liberdade/São Caetano: Av. General Silveira Martin, 239 - Curuzu - CEP: 40.366-100 - Salvador - BA.
• City Hall - Valéria neighborhood: R. da Matriz - Valéria, Salvador - CEP: 41.300-600 - Salvador - BA.

Suspended Bolsa Família also interrupts the First Step Project?

One of the main doubts about the First Step Project is whether the suspension of Bolsa Família also suspends it.

And yes, if your Bolsa Família is blocked, the First Step payment will also be interrupted.

This is because Bolsa Família is one of the basic requirements of the First Step, so when it is suspended, the beneficiary no longer meets one of the criteria for being granted it.

Therefore, check the status of your social benefits regularly to ensure that you receive them for as long as you need them and your entitlement remains guaranteed.

This may interest you: Straw Hat Program: how it works and who is eligible (valorizei.com).