BISP Eligibility Check 2026: PMT Score & NSER

A BISP eligibility check tells you whether your household currently qualifies for the Benazir Income Support Programme. This guide explains how eligibility is decided, the PMT score, the NSER survey, and how to check your status by CNIC, in simple words.

It helps to know one thing first. Checking your status and being decided eligible are two different things. The check shows the result; the decision is made from a survey and a score.

How to check your eligibility by CNIC

You can check in two free ways:

Online at 8171.bisp.gov.pk, by entering your 13-digit CNIC and the captcha code.
By SMS, by sending your 13-digit CNIC, without dashes, to 8171.

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

How eligibility is decided

Your eligibility comes from two things working together:

The NSER survey (National Socio-Economic Registry), a household survey that records your family’s details.
The PMT score (Proxy Means Test), a poverty score the government calculates from that survey data.

A lower PMT score means greater need. Reported eligibility is generally a PMT score of about 32 or below, though the exact figure and your own score are not shown publicly. Be careful of any website that claims it can tell you your PMT number.

Who is generally eligible

Based on publicly known criteria, priority goes to:

Low-income households with a qualifying PMT score
Widows and divorced women
Persons with disabilities

A valid CNIC is required. Government employees and higher-income households are generally not eligible for this support.

If you are shown not eligible

If your result says you are not eligible but your situation has changed, you can update your household data through the NSER survey at your nearest BISP Tehsil office. Bring your original CNIC. Your eligibility is re-assessed from the updated information, so an out-of-date record can be the reason.

Check what may fit your household

To see which Punjab and federal programs may suit your situation, try our free eligibility checker. It gives a general estimate and stores nothing.

GoPunjab is an independent information website. We cannot decide your eligibility or change your record. We only explain how the system works so you can check and act correctly yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my BISP eligibility?

Check your BISP eligibility by CNIC at the official portal 8171.bisp.gov.pk, or send your 13-digit CNIC without dashes to 8171 by SMS. The result tells you if you are currently eligible. Eligibility itself is decided from the NSER survey and your PMT score, not by the check tool.

What is the PMT score in BISP?

PMT stands for Proxy Means Test. It is a poverty score the government calculates from your household details collected in the NSER survey. A lower score means greater need. Reported eligibility is generally a PMT score of about 32 or below. The exact score is not shown publicly.

Who is eligible for BISP?

BISP is for low-income families registered in the NSER with a qualifying PMT score. Priority goes to widows, divorced women, persons with disabilities, and households with very low income. A valid CNIC is required. Government employees and higher-income households are generally not eligible.

What is the NSER survey?

NSER is the National Socio-Economic Registry, a nationwide survey of households used to decide who qualifies for BISP. Your household details from this survey produce your PMT score. If your details are old or missing, you may need to update them at a BISP registration centre.

I am not eligible. Can I re-apply or update my data?

Yes. If your circumstances have changed, you can update your household information through the NSER survey at your nearest BISP Tehsil office. Bring your original CNIC. Your eligibility is re-assessed from the updated data, so keeping your record current matters.