The Benazir Kafaalat Program is the main cash stipend part of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). This guide explains the stipend amount, the planned increase, who qualifies, how to check it by CNIC, and how to receive your payment safely.

Kafaalat gives a quarterly payment to eligible low-income women so they can support their households. Checking and receiving it is free, and uses only your CNIC.

What is the Benazir Kafaalat Program?

Benazir Kafaalat is the regular cash-support part of BISP. Instead of one-off help, it pays eligible women a fixed amount every three months. The money is meant to give low-income families a steady base of support. It works alongside other BISP help, such as the Benazir Nashonuma nutrition stipend and Benazir Taleemi Wazaif for school-going children.

benazir kafaalat program: screenshot of the official 8171.bisp.gov.pk page
Check your Benazir Kafaalat status by CNIC at 8171.bisp.gov.pk.

How much is the stipend

As of September 2026, the quarterly Kafaalat stipend is Rs 14,500. It has gone up in steps:

  • Rs 10,500 a quarter in 2024
  • Rs 13,500 from January 2025, as BISP announced in September 2024
  • Rs 14,500 since Ramzan 2026. BISP announced the Rs 1,000 rise on 18 February 2026 as part of the federal Ramzan relief, and began paying it on 10 March 2026.

It is paid every three months. Amounts can change over time, so treat any figure as “as of” its date and confirm the current amount on the official portal 8171.bisp.gov.pk or by sending your CNIC to 8171.

Is Kafaalat going up to Rs 18,000?

Not yet. On 22 June 2026, the government’s Press Information Department (PID) said Rs 14,500 is being paid now, “with plans to increase the stipend to Rs 18,000 from January 2027.” The federal budget for 2026-27, presented on 12 June 2026, raised BISP’s allocation to Rs 838 billion, Dawn reported.

So treat Rs 18,000 as a plan, not a payment. Until BISP announces that the new amount has started, expect Rs 14,500 a quarter. If a video, a WhatsApp forward or a text message says the higher amount has already started, check on 8171 before you believe it. BISP’s chairperson has told beneficiaries to trust messages only from 8171.

Who is eligible

Kafaalat is paid to women from low-income families registered in the NSER, the National Socio-Economic Registry that BISP builds through its survey. Each household gets a PMT score, a poverty score worked out from the survey answers. A lower score means greater need.

BISP’s own Kafaalat page says the qualifying cut-off is a PMT score of 32, set by the BISP Board in September 2021. For a family that includes a person with a disability, the cut-off is 37, so more of those families qualify. The same page says transgender persons with a valid CNIC can join after the survey and NADRA verification, without the PMT limit.

A valid CNIC is required. BISP does not show your own PMT score publicly, and nobody can change it for money. You can read more in our BISP eligibility guide and our PMT score guide.

How to register for Benazir Kafaalat

You do not register for Kafaalat separately. Eligibility comes from the NSER survey, which is the same registration used for all of BISP. If you are not in the system yet, you complete the NSER dynamic survey in person at a BISP Tehsil office. Our BISP registration guide explains the full process. Once your household is surveyed and assessed, your Kafaalat status appears when you check by CNIC.

If your family’s situation has changed since your last survey, for example an earning member has died or lost work, you can ask at the Tehsil office to update your survey.

How to check by CNIC

  • Online: enter your CNIC at 8171.bisp.gov.pk
  • By SMS: send your 13-digit CNIC, without dashes, to 8171

For the full walkthrough, see how to check BISP 8171 online.

How to receive your payment safely

BISP says that from July 2026, Kafaalat is paid only into the digital wallet linked to the free Benazir SIM it issues. If you do not have this SIM, collect it from your BISP office with your original CNIC and your own phone. You get an SMS when the money arrives, and it stays safe in your wallet until you withdraw it. To withdraw, go to an authorised retailer or agent of a BISP partner bank, never a private home. If your fingerprints do not verify, BISP says you can be paid through a bank account instead. To stay safe:

  • Collect your full amount yourself.
  • Never hand your phone to an agent, and never share your OTP or PIN. You need only your CNIC and fingerprint.
  • Count your money before you leave the payment point, and check it against the SMS you get after withdrawing.
  • In July 2026, BISP said the cash withdrawal fee is Rs 280. If any other money is deducted or withheld, refuse and report it on the BISP helpline 0800-26477.

ProPakistani reported in July 2026 that the fee applies only to cash withdrawals. Online transfers and Raast transfers from the wallet are free, and the State Bank reviews the charges every six months.

If you get less than the full amount

An agent who keeps part of your money is committing fraud. In March 2026, BISP’s chairperson said that if you receive less than the official amount, you can complain at your BISP Tehsil office. Take:

  • Your CNIC number
  • The mobile number linked to your payment
  • The place where you were paid, and the agent’s name or shop if you know it

She said verified complaints lead to legal action against the agent and your money being returned, ProPakistani reported. You can also call the helpline 0800-26477. BISP’s website says it answers from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

If no payment has arrived at all, see our BISP payment not received guide for the reasons and the free fixes.

Common Kafaalat scams to avoid

  • “Pay a fee and your stipend will increase.” False. No one can raise your amount for money.
  • “The Rs 18,000 has started, pay to unlock it.” False. The increase is only planned, and no payment is ever unlocked by a fee.
  • “Share your OTP so I can release your payment.” Never do this. It is how thieves steal stipends.
  • “Register on this app for Kafaalat.” Only the official NSER survey and 8171 are real.

Contact

  • Official portal: 8171.bisp.gov.pk
  • SMS: your CNIC to 8171
  • BISP helpline: 0800-26477
  • In person: your nearest BISP Tehsil office

8171 is the only official number, and checking or receiving Kafaalat is always free. To see what else may fit your household, try our free eligibility checker.

GoPunjab is an independent information website. We are not BISP. We cannot release payments or change your record. We only explain how the program works so you can act safely.