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Artisanal fishermen face fishing restrictions at certain times of the year, with closed insurance an important guarantee to maintain your livelihood during these periods.
This benefit plays a crucial role in the lives of these fishermen, providing them with a livelihood during fishing bans.
This article explores all the steps needed to apply for insurance and how fishermen can take advantage of this assistance offered by the Government. Find out more below!
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What is Defeso Insurance?
Defeso Insurance is a benefit guaranteed by Social Security to professional artisanal fishermen in the months in which fishing is prohibited.
Also called Unemployment Insurance for Artisanal Fishermen, the benefit aims to protect the livelihood of fishermen during the fish reproduction period, which generally occurs in November to February.
The regulation of artisanal fishing is carried out by ICMBio and IBAMA bodies, which seek to preserve the existence of fish and avoid predatory fishing.
During the ban period, artisanal fishermen, who depend exclusively on fishing for their subsistence, have the right to closed season insurance, as provided for in Law No. 10,779/2003.
This benefit is granted and paid by the National Social Security Institute (INSS).
Who is entitled to insurance?
O closed insurance aims to ensure the subsistence of a specific portion of Brazilian workers: fishermen.
To be entitled to this benefit, you must meet some simple requirements:
1. Being a fisherman;
2. Act exclusively and uninterruptedly in fishing;
3. Not having another source of income;
4. Be insured with the INSS in the artisanal fisherman category;
5. Be actively registered for at least 1 year before the closed period in the General Register of Fishing Activities (RGP);
6. Not receive another Continuous Payment Benefit (BPC) or any assistance or social security benefit, with the exception of accident benefit and death pension.
In addition, the fisherman must have contributed to the INSS in the 12 months prior to applying for insurance. In other words, it is not enough to just be registered with the RGP; It is must have contributed to the INSS for 12 months.
It is important to highlight that closed season insurance is intended for those who fish for profit and is not applicable to subsistence fishing.
This benefit has similarities with unemployment insurance in its purpose.
It is worth mentioning that artisanal fishermen are also entitled to a pension with different requirements.
Documents required to apply for closed insurance
When applying for INSS insurance, it is essential to gather the correct documents to ensure the success of the request and receive the benefit.
To make things easier, a list of the necessary items was created:
- Valid official identification document with photo (such as Identity Card or Professional Card);
- Proof of registration in the Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF);
- Copy of proof of payment of social security contributions (GPS), if production was sold to individuals;
- Copy of the tax document for the sale of the fish to the purchasing company, consumer or consignee, with information about the operation and the value of the social security contribution;
- Professional fisherman registration in the artisanal category, issued at least one year ago;
- Proof of residence in municipalities that are covered by the ordinance that declared the closure.
It is recommended that you pay attention to organizing these documents to ensure success in the insurance application process.
How to request closed insurance in 2024?
There are several ways to request closed insurance, and they will all be explained here.
For artisanal fishermen associated or affiliated with associations, colonies or unions that have a Technical Cooperation Agreement with the INSS, the first option is to make the request directly to these entities.
This process is free, and the fisherman does not need to make any payment to make the request.
If you are not associated with these entities or they do not have an agreement with the INSS, the alternative is to make the request at the INSS agencies. It is essential to remember call number 135 to schedule the appointment.
An additional option is to place the order through the MY INSS application. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Access the site or download the app MY INSS on your cell phone;
2. Click “sign in” and, if you don’t already have an account, create one;
3. After entering, search for “insurance” and select the option “defense insurance – artisanal fisherman”;
4. Update your data and proceed by clicking “continue”;
5. Fill in the data correctly and click “+” to attach documents;
6. Choose the INSS agency closest to your residence and proceed;
7. Review the information carefully, confirm your agreement and click “next”.
When you complete your order, you can track its progress via MY INSS or call 135 to check the status of your order.
It is possible for the INSS to contact you or send you messages if a document is missing.
See also how unemployment insurance works for domestic workers: here! Questions about insurance? Leave it below in the comments!
