Lula Approves 15% Bolsa Família Hike Weeks Before Election

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a decree on 17 September raising Bolsa Família, Brazil's cash aid for poor families, by 15% to 691 reais. The rise starts 19 October, between the 4 October first round and likely 25 October runoff. The program reaches about 50 million people and began in 2003 in Lula's first term.