New Rules for Meal Vouchers and Food Allowances Take Effect This Month: Find Out What Changed

Workers Must Pay Attention to the New Changes That Came into Effect This Month in the Rules of the Food Voucher (VA) and Meal Voucher (VR).

Approved by the Federal Senate, the changes directly reflect on the ways to use the benefit balance and the accepted card brands.

One of the most significant changes is the prohibition of diverting the food and meal assistance balance for purchases not related to food. From now on, workers will no longer be able to use the VA and VR balance at various establishments, such as pharmacies and gas stations. The new rules aim to ensure the proper use of the subsidy and avoid the misuse of public money.

Another important change pertains to the portability of the benefit card. Workers can request to switch the card contract, choosing the card issuing company to review the best offers. In this way, benefits companies are prohibited from restricting contracting companies to just traditional benefits card brands, expanding the range of options for workers when paying for their food or meals with the benefit offered by employers.

It Is Important to Emphasize That Workers Will No Longer Be Able to Use Their VA or VR to Purchase Products Other Than Food, as Mentioned.

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

However, the new rule states that the VA and VR must always be prepaid, meaning that post-payment of the benefit is prohibited. With the ban on rebates, workers will have a fairer purchasing power and will not need to pay exorbitant amounts that impact the prices of products.

It is established that workers will no longer be able to withdraw unused amounts in cash after 60 days, restricting the occasional use of the VA and VR balance only for food and meal purchases. This measure aims to discourage the accumulation of funds and, consequently, the improper use of the benefit.

With the new rules in effect, workers have the opportunity to better manage the benefit balance and opt for establishments affiliated with the card issuing company, given the wide variety of accepted brands. It is worth noting that the improper use of the benefit balance may lead to penalties under current legislation. Therefore, it is important for workers to pay attention to all the changes in the food and meal voucher rules and follow the established guidelines.