The drop in the INSS queue accelerates in recent months; denied benefits rise and reach almost 1 million in June

INSS joint effort in Rio Branco Lucas Thadeu/Rede Amazônica The so-called waiting list for benefits from the National Social Security Institute (INSS) has been systematically shrinking this year following the determination of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) to clear it in 2026, but the rejections of requests are also advancing quickly. Data from the Ministry of Social Security shows that the queue fell to 1.8 million benefits retained in June and to 1.55 million at the end of July – the lowest level in 21 months. During the year, the queue reduction was 74%. ??The number of benefits denied also shows a strong increase. In June, rejections approached the 1 million mark. ??In the year to date, the volume of rejected benefits grew by 70% compared to the same period last year. Among the most rejected applications are those relating to disability benefits, which include the former benefit for temporary incapacity (former sickness benefit), accident benefit and retirement due to permanent disability. "It is important to emphasize that denials are part of the benefit application analysis process. Denial is the correct measure when the necessary requirements are not met or the insured person has not met the requirements – such as deadlines or presentation of documents", informed the Ministry of Social Security. Mathematics that 'doesn't add up' For Jane Berwanger, director of the Brazilian Institute of Social Security Law (IBDP), the decline in the queue accompanied by an increase in denials is a "mathematics that doesn't add up". In the expert's assessment, the strategy can only transfer the demand to another stage of the process. "It's postponing the problem because these processes, for the most part, will return", says Jane, adding that denied requests can result in new applications, administrative appeals or legal actions, contributing to the increased judicialization of social security issues. "There is so much talk about the high rate of judicialization in Brazil, especially in social security matters, and here we have an example of this. Many people who, if the process were better analyzed, could have their case resolved, will have to go to court to have their rights", he says. The director also highlighted difficulties faced by insured people in proving their right to the benefit, especially in cases that depend on demonstrating incapacity for work. Among the factors that may contribute to rejections, she cites the lack of medical documentation and problems in the analysis carried out during the examination. According to the expert, the difficulty in gathering documents that prove incapacity, combined with an assessment considered insufficient, could harm the insured in the process of granting the benefit. Facade of the headquarters building of the National Social Security Institute (INSS) in Brasília (DF) Wilton Junior/Estadão Content Bonuses for employees and limitation of requirements According to Social Security specialist, Leonardo Rolim, who was Secretary of Social Security and president of the INSS between 2019 and 2022, during the administration of former president Jair Bolsonaro, however, the official data available does not initially indicate that there is anything wrong with the strong increase of rejections this year. According to him, the main measure adopted by the government to reduce the INSS queue this year has been the bonus for INSS experts and employees, which, in his view, is an expedient already used previously and which usually presents effective results. Rolim noted that, because of this, the queue for forensic examinations has plummeted in recent months. Medical expertise is a mandatory step for granting and continuing some INSS benefits. Fabiane de Paula/SVM "The most important thing is to look at the percentage of rejections. If the number of analyzes increases, it is normal to increase rejections. In June, it was 54.2%. In 2019 and in 2022 [when bonuses were also paid to employees], the rejection rate was 44.7% and 49.5%. It is higher [this year], but not absurdly higher", assessed Leonardo Rolim. Another change was the one that prevents the insured from submitting a new application while there is an ongoing process regarding the same type of benefit. In practice, a new request can only be submitted 30 days after the first decision. This is because the case is considered pending during the deadline for filing an administrative appeal. For Bernardo Schettini, legislative consultant at the Federal Senate, the regulatory change is valid given what he classifies as a "blatant excess of demand for INSS services". For him, submitting multiple applications for the same benefit generates a negative externality for other insured people, as it reduces the agency's ability to analyze new applications. The expert, however, considers that the measure also imposes costs on policyholders. Often, he states, new applications are presented to correct documentary flaws, supplement information or solve problems in the previous application. "It is clear that this type of measure imposes costs on policyholders. Many times, new applications are presented to make up for documentary flaws, supplement information or correct errors in the previous application's instructions", explained Schettini. He added that, by restricting the submission of new applications, the rule can increase the effective time to access the benefit, especially for people who face difficulties in obtaining information, gathering documents or using the INSS digital channels. "By restricting the submission of applications, the rule can increase the effective time of access to the benefit, especially for people who have difficulty accessing information, obtaining documents or using digital channels", added the consultant. Atestmed Rolim points out that another possible factor that may have contributed to increasing rejections was the replacement of Atestmed, an INSS procedure that