People’s Gas 2026: Complete Guide to the Program that Replaces Gas Assistance

Gás do Povo is the Federal Government’s new social policy for cooking gas, created to replace the old Auxílio Gás dos Brasileiros (Law No. 14.237/2021). Instead of paying a cash amount for the family to buy the cylinder, the new program guarantees the 13kg cylinder itself, picked up for free at accredited retailers. The government estimates it will serve about 15 million families, reaching close to 50 million Brazilians.

This guide covers everything: what changes from Auxílio Gás to Gás do Povo, who is eligible, how many cylinders each family receives, how to pick up at the retailer, how to check your inclusion, and what to do if you used to receive the old benefit and haven’t gotten the gas yet.

What is Gás do Povo

Gás do Povo was born as an evolution of Auxílio Gás. The logic changed: the old program paid in cash (about R$108 every two months, the average cylinder value according to ANP), and the new one delivers the cylinder itself. The government’s justification is to ensure that the resource is actually used for cooking gas, providing more food security to families — after all, without gas there’s no way to cook at home.

The program was approved by Congress and began to be implemented in 2026, with expansion in stages across cities. The forecast is that the cash model will be completely replaced by free refills by 2027.

Auxílio Gás x Gás do Povo: what changes

Those accustomed to the old name and format need to understand the differences:

• Name: from Auxílio Gás dos Brasileiros to Gás do Povo
• Format: from cash payment in Caixa Tem to cylinder pickup at retailer
• Payment at counter: doesn’t exist — the free service is applied on the spot, with no money changing hands
• Reach: large increase in the number of families served
• Income: per capita up to half a minimum wage (R$810.50 in 2026)

How many cylinders the family receives

The number of 13kg cylinders per year depends on the number of people in the family registered in CadÚnico:

• Family with 2 people: up to 3 cylinders per year
• Family with 3 people: up to 4 cylinders per year
• Family with 4 or more people: up to 6 cylinders per year

The beneficiary app shows how many pickups are still available for the year and which retailers are accredited near home.

Who is eligible for Gás do Povo

To receive, the family must meet the criteria below:

• CadÚnico updated in the last 24 months
• Monthly per capita income up to half a minimum wage (about R$810.50 in 2026)
• Family head’s CPF regularized
• Generally, be a Bolsa Família beneficiary or have a member receiving BPC

Since inclusion is in stages, there are priority criteria: families headed by women, women victims of domestic violence in protection programs, families with elderly or people with disabilities, households in extreme poverty, and families with young children enter first.

How to pick up the cylinder at the retailer

Picking up Gás do Povo happens at an accredited retailer, and the step is simple:

1. Check in the Gás do Povo app (available from February 2026), in Caixa Tem, or by calling 1410 if your family was included
2. Locate a nearby accredited retailer — the app shows the updated list
3. Bring the empty cylinder to exchange for a full one
4. Validate the pickup in one of these ways, without paying anything at the counter

The validation methods are: Bolsa Família card or Caixa debit card in the retailer’s card machine; CPF plus validation code sent to the phone registered with Caixa; or code generated by the beneficiary app.

How to check if you were included

Three official ways to check your status in Gás do Povo:

• Gás do Povo app — shows inclusion, available cylinders, and accredited retailers
• Caixa Tem app — log in with CPF to see status in social programs
• Phone 1410 — Caixa’s free hotline; have CPF and NIS ready

I used to receive Auxílio Gás but didn’t get the cylinder — why?

During the transition phase, this is the most common case. The most frequent reasons:

• Your city or neighborhood is still being included in the network of accredited retailers
• CadÚnico outdated for more than 24 months
• Family head’s CPF with pending issues
• Change of address or family composition not reported to CRAS

The solution, in all cases, is to go to your neighborhood CRAS with the family’s documents and update CadÚnico. The service is free.

How to update CadÚnico

Bring to CRAS: CPF of all members (mandatory for family head), ID or birth certificate of each person, updated proof of residence, proof of income, and proof of children’s schooling, if any. After service, the system reprocesses the information and the family can enter the program as soon as the retailer network is available in the region.

Beware of scams

Social programs are frequent targets of scams. Simple rules to protect yourself:

• Gás do Povo is 100% free — never pay a fee to “release” the benefit or “guarantee the cylinder”
• The accredited retailer doesn’t charge anything for pickup
• Caixa doesn’t ask for passwords by phone, email, or WhatsApp
• CadÚnico updates are only done in person at CRAS — be suspicious of links
• Always use the official app, Caixa Tem, 1410, or the gov.br portal

Frequently asked questions

Did Auxílio Gás end?
It’s being replaced by Gás do Povo. The transition is gradual and should be completed by 2027.

Does someone who received Auxílio Gás automatically enter Gás do Povo?
The basis continues to be CadÚnico and the family’s profile. It’s recommended to check inclusion through the app or 1410, and keep registration and CPF up to date.

Can I receive the cash amount like before?
The new program’s focus is cylinder delivery. The cash model is being phased out.

How much does it cost to pick up the cylinder?
Nothing. The free service is applied at the accredited retailer’s counter.

Does someone who lives alone qualify?
It depends on CadÚnico criteria and income profile. The number of cylinders increases according to family size.

What can remove a family from the program?
Income above the limit, CadÚnico outdated for more than 24 months, or family head’s CPF with pending issues.

Conclusion

Gás do Povo is the new phase of the old Auxílio Gás dos Brasileiros: instead of cash, it guarantees the 13kg cylinder for free, picked up at an accredited retailer. Entry is in stages and based on CadÚnico, with priority for the most vulnerable families. Those who received Auxílio Gás should check their status, keep their registration updated, and their CPF regular so as not to be left out during the transition, which runs until 2027.

This site is not an official portal. For official information, visit gov.br/mds and caixa.gov.br.