Government decides to extend the deadline for requesting Defense Insurance; understand

The Deliberative Council of the Worker Support Fund (Codefat) decided to extend the deadline for artisanal fishermen to request Defense Insurance.

With the change, applications can be submitted between 30 days before and 90 days after the start of the closed period.

The closed season is the temporary cessation of fishing, commercial and amateur, of certain species during the breeding season, established by environmental agencies. The period varies depending on the location and species of fish.

In cases where the closure lasts 90 days or less, the request for the benefit can be made until the last day of the period.

According to the government, the measure seeks to adapt the deadlines to the reality of artisanal fishermen, especially those who live in regions with unstable internet access or face difficulties in traveling to the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) service units.

"The initiative also seeks to expand access to the public social protection policy for fishermen, without changing the legal requirements for granting the benefit or the number and value of installments", added the ministry, in a note. The measure is already in force.

What is defense insurance?

Defeso Insurance is a benefit paid to artisanal fishermen, who are prohibited from carrying out fishing activities during the closed period of some species.

The measure covers fishermen who:

carries out fishing activities uninterruptedly (individually or as part of a family economy);

be registered in the General Fisheries Register (RGP) for at least 1 year;

prove the payment of the social security contribution relating to the commercialization of your production, in the 12 months immediately preceding the request for the benefit or from the last closed period until the beginning of the current period, whichever is shorter;

is not receiving BPC or any social security benefit, except accident benefit and death pension limited to a minimum wage;

have no other source of income other than fishing;

claim the benefit within the deadline.

Since November 2025, the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) has been responsible for managing Defense Insurance.

The request can be made through the Emprega Brasil Portal or through the Digital Work Card. In these channels, the fisherman can also follow the process, check payments and present administrative appeals.

Information and guidance can also be obtained from the Alô Trabalho Call Center, by calling 158. The fisherman himself can make the request and monitor the progress of the benefit through official channels.