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City Hall delivers Early Childhood Rio de Janeiro cards to more than a thousand families in Mangueira and Estácio
Published on 20/10/2025 - 16:26 | Updated on 20/10/2025 - 16:35
The card is a way to help combat food insecurity from early childhood. Photo: Disclosure/SMAS The Rio de Janeiro City Hall, through the Municipal Department of Social Assistance, has begun distributing the second batch of Early Childhood Rio de Janeiro cards in the Vila Olímpica da Mangueira. In this region, 489 families from Benfica, Mangueira, Manguinhos, and São Cristóvão will benefit.
On Tuesday (10/21), the delivery will be at Estácio de Sá's block, in the North Zone for 696 families, totaling 1.185 cards. The two actions are part of the Pequenos Cariocas program, a multidisciplinary protection network launched by the city hall, on Children's Day, in Maré, to care for the integral development of children in social vulnerability.
"The Carioca Early Childhood Card joins a series of public policies that Mayor Eduardo Paes has implemented to help us better understand our childhood. All 30 families with children aged 0 to 4 (registered with CadÚnico) are covered by this card," said Deputy Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere.
The card is a way to help combat food insecurity among Rio residents from early childhood.
"Seeing this project, conceived by us with such care, come to fruition and change the lives of so many families is a great joy. The Carioca Early Childhood Card guarantees food and dignity for those most in need and represents Rio City Hall's commitment to the future of our Cariocas," says Martha Rocha, Secretary of Social Assistance.
To qualify for the city's new food cash transfer program, families must meet the following requirements: be registered with the Unified Registry (CadÚnico); not receive the federal government's Bolsa Família program; have a monthly family income of up to R$218 per person; and have at least one child aged 0 to 4. Each family eligible for the benefit—a R$200 food card, recharged monthly and accepted at 1,5 establishments in the city—receives a notification via WhatsApp (using the contact information listed in CadÚnico) with information on the date and location for pickup.
Attendant Graziela Farias do Nascimento, 23, a resident of Morro do Tuiuti, will use the benefit to complete the purchase of food for her daughter Helena, 2 years old, who is already in daycare.
"I can't always make a full purchase. Meat is too expensive! With the card, I can now buy meat, yogurt, and cookies," Graziela celebrated.
Daniella Rocha dos Santos, 18, plans to include more fruit in her 2-year-old son Victor Emanuel's diet.
"I was surprised when I received the message about the card. I had already given up hope because I applied for Bolsa Família, which didn't come through. I'm going to use the card to buy fruit. It's important to him," celebrated the Benfica resident.
On Tuesday (21/10), the distribution point for the cards will be at the Estácio de Sá samba school court, on Avenida Salvador de Sá, 206-208, in Cidade Nova, starting at 9 am, for 696 families from the following neighborhoods: Caju, Rio Comprido, Santa Teresa, Catumbi, Estácio and Cidade Nova.
Only the family member registered with CadÚnico can obtain the card. You must bring an official photo ID (RG, CIN, CNH, or work permit).
about the card
The Carioca Early Childhood Card will reach 30 families, with an annual investment of over R$70 million from the City of Rio. The initiative aims to combat food insecurity among children, reaffirming the city's commitment to social protection from early childhood. The card is part of the Pequenos Cariocas program, which encompasses more than 25 initiatives in the areas of health, education, social assistance, culture, and protection against violence, for the comprehensive, full, and healthy development of children.
The launch took place on Children's Day (12/10), at Vila Olímpica da Maré, where the first cards were distributed to hundreds of families.
Service:
Local News: court of the Estácio de Sá Samba School
Date: 21 / 10 / 25
Timetable: from 9am
Address: Salvador de Sá Avenue, 206-208 – New City.
