Introduction: The Family Allowance Program (PBF) consists of a direct transfer of income benefiting families in poverty and extreme poverty in the country. Objective: this study aims to characterize the nutritional state of children less than seven years of age, beneficiaries of PBF and followed up by the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) in the State of Minas Gerais (MG). Methods: the data were obtained from the SISVAN WEB platform from the database comprising information related to the Basic Health Units of MG for the years 2008 to 2011. The nutritional status of these children was evaluated by anthropometric indexes of weight-age, height-age, and body mass indexage (BMI/age). Results: the number of children in the age group from zero to seven years, benefited in the State of Minas Gerais, accounted for 10.5% of the number of total residents in the State in the same age group in 2008; 13.7% in 2009; 19.8% in 2010; and 18.6% in 2011. The most prevalent disturbance of nutritional status among users was excessive weight (average of 26.5% according to the BMI/age indicator); this status became more prevalent over the years whereas low weight and short stature declined in the age range. Conclusions: the beneficiaries of PBF showed reduced incidence of low birth weight and increased incidence of excessive weight. These findings reveal the need for the implementation of nutrition education programs for PBF beneficiary families.