Workers should be aware of the new changes that came into effect this month in the rules for food stamps (VA) and meal stamps (VR).

Approved by the Federal Senate, the alterations directly reflect on the ways of using the benefit balance and on the brands accepted by the cards.

One of the most significant changes is the prohibition of diversion of food and meal allowance balance for non-food related purchases. From now on, the worker will no longer be able to use the VA and VR balance in different establishments, such as pharmacies and gas stations. The new rules seek to guarantee the adequate use of the subsidy and to avoid the misuse of the public money.

Another important change refers to the portability of the benefit card. The worker can request the exchange of the card contract, choosing the company issuing the card to verify the best offers. In this way, benefit companies are prohibited from restricting contracting companies to traditional benefit card brands only, expanding the range of options for workers when paying for food or meals with the benefits offered by employers.

It is important to emphasize that the worker will no longer be able to use his VA or VR to buy products other than food, as already mentioned.

As a result, people will be more careful when using the benefit balance and will choose to manage it in a more assertive and conscious way. The end of the hit is another novelty of the new rules. Until then, food and meal voucher companies provided discounts to establishments that contracted the service for your employees.

However, the new rule says that the VA and VR must always be prepaid, that is, the subsequent payment of the benefit is prohibited. With the rebate ban, the worker will have a fairer purchasing power and will not have to pay exorbitant amounts that impact the product price.

It is hereby established that the worker will no longer be able to withdraw unused amounts in cash within 60 days, restricting the use of the occasional VA and VR balance to purchases of food and meals only. This measure aims to discourage the accumulation of amounts and, consequently, the inappropriate use of the benefit.

With the new rules in force, workers have the possibility to better manage the balance of the benefit and choose to establishments affiliated with the company card issuer, considering the wide variety of brands accepted. It is worth remembering that the misuse of the balance of the benefit may result in punishment by the current legislation. Therefore, it is important that workers pay attention to all changes in the rules of food stamps and meal vouchers and follow the established norms.