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The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will continue to be a vital social safety net for millions of underprivileged families across Pakistan in 2024. With several new updates and enhancements, the program aims to extend its reach and impact to alleviate poverty and promote social welfare. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in BISP, including how to register, eligibility criteria, payment methods, and the status of monthly installments.

 Benazir Income Support New Updates 2024

In 2024, Benazir Income Support BISP introduced several key changes to streamline its processes and improve the program’s effectiveness. One significant update is the integration of the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) survey data with the BISP database, enabling more accurate identification of eligible households based on their socio-economic status.

Another notable development is the increase in the quarterly stipend amount. BISP beneficiaries will now receive Rs. 7,000 per quarter, which translates to a monthly payment of approximately Rs. 2,333. This increase aims to provide more substantial financial assistance to low-income families, helping them meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life.

BISP 8171 – SMS and Online Registration

Benazir Income Support BISP has enhanced its SMS and online services to facilitate easy registration and information access. Interested individuals can now check their eligibility and payment status by sending their 13-digit CNIC number to 8171 via SMS. Alternatively, they can visit the official BISP website at https://www.bisp.gov.pk/ and use the online CNIC search option to verify their status.

The online registration process for BISP has also been streamlined. Candidates can now apply for the program through the web portal by providing essential details such as CNIC, family information, income, and bank account details (if applicable). This convenient online registration system aims to make the application process more accessible and efficient for potential beneficiaries.

Eligibility Criteria for BISP

To qualify for financial assistance under Benazir Income Support BISP, households must meet specific eligibility criteria. These include:

• Monthly income below Rs. 30,000
• Possession of a valid CNIC issued by NADRA
• No family member employed in government service or semi-government organizations
• Ownership of less than 3 acres of agricultural land or a residential property not exceeding 80 square yards
• No family member owning a car or having a foreign bank account

BISP also has special provisions for the inclusion of transgenders and families with differently-abled persons, with relaxed PMT cut-off scores for eligibility.

NSER Survey and Poverty Scorecard

The National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) survey plays a crucial role in identifying eligible households for BISP assistance. This comprehensive door-to-door survey collects data on various socio-economic indicators such as household size, education, employment, assets, and income. The information gathered through the NSER survey is used to calculate a Proxy Means Test (PMT) score, which determines a household’s welfare status and eligibility for BISP support.

In 2024, BISP is conducting a new round of the NSER survey to update its database and ensure that the most deserving families are identified and included in the program. This survey is being carried out in collaboration with provincial governments and partner organizations to ensure maximum coverage and accuracy.

Monthly Payment Status and Disbursement

Under the Benazir Income Support Kafaalat Programme, eligible families receive quarterly payments of Rs. 7,000, equivalent to a monthly stipend of approximately Rs. 2,333. The payments are disbursed through various channels, including a biometric verification system (BVS) at designated campsites, ATMs of partner banks, and door-to-door delivery in some areas.

To check their payment status, beneficiaries can visit the nearest BISP office or campsite and provide their CNIC for verification. They can also check their status online through the BISP website or by sending an SMS to 8171. Additionally, beneficiaries can contact the BISP helpline at 0800-26477 for payment assistance and any other queries.

BISP is committed to ensuring timely and transparent disbursement of funds to eligible beneficiaries. The program has implemented robust mechanisms to facilitate smooth payments and address any issues or complaints through its active Grievance Redressal Mechanism.

Benazir Support Program Registration

To register for the Benazir Income Support Programme, interested individuals need to follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the nearest BISP registration center or NADRA office 
2. Provide a valid CNIC issued by NADRA. 
3. Fill out the registration form with accurate information about the household, including family members, income, and assets. 
4. Submit the completed form along with copies of required documents, such as CNIC and family registration certificate 
5. Await assessment of the application and eligibility determination based on the NSER survey and PMT score
6. If found eligible, receive confirmation and start receiving payments as per the BISP schedule
7. It is crucial to provide accurate and honest information during the registration process to ensure fair assessment and distribution of funds to deserving families.

NSER survey is related to BISP

The National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) survey and its relationship to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in Pakistan can be summarized as follows:

The NSER is a comprehensive door-to-door household survey conducted by BISP to collect socio-economic data on households across Pakistan. It assesses various indicators such as household size, education, employment, assets, and income to determine eligibility for BISP assistance.

Key points about the NSER survey and its link to BISP:

1. The NSER survey data forms the basis for targeting and identifying eligible beneficiaries for BISP cash transfer programs using a Proxy Means Test (PMT) that calculates a poverty score for each household.
2. The first NSER survey was conducted in 2010-2011 and covered 27 million households. This data was used by BISP for many years to target its programs.
3. In 2016, BISP decided to update the NSER through a new survey to recertify existing beneficiaries, include new households, and improve targeting efficiency.
4. The new NSER survey started in 2019 and was recently completed in 2021-2022, covering around 35 million households. It used a computer-assisted personal interviewing approach.
5. With the updated NSER data, BISP aims to transition from a static registry to a dynamic registry that allows more frequent updates to capture changes in socio-economic status over time.
6. Besides BISP, the NSER data is also used by other social protection programs in Pakistan to improve coordination and reduce duplication. Over 70 federal and provincial programs utilize NSER data for targeting.

Proxy means test (PMT) used in the NSER survey

The proxy Means Test (PMT) used in Pakistan’s National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) survey can be summarized as follows:

1. The PMT is a targeting mechanism used to identify eligible households for social assistance programs like the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) without directly measuring income.
2. It uses a statistical model to predict a household’s welfare or poverty level based on observable and verifiable characteristics or “proxies” that are correlated with poverty. These proxies typically include demographic data, human capital, housing conditions, asset ownership, etc.
3. The NSER survey collects data on these proxy variables from households across Pakistan. The PMT formula then uses the survey data to calculate a poverty score for each household.
4. Households falling below a certain poverty score cutoff are deemed eligible for BISP cash transfers and other social protection programs that use NSER data for targeting.
5. While PMT aims to predict poverty without directly measuring income, it has inherent inaccuracies and inclusion/exclusion errors. The predictive power of PMT models, even when measured against the same survey data used to generate them, is limited.
6. Challenges with the PMT approach include the imperfect correlation between proxy variables and actual welfare, household heterogeneity not captured by the model, and potential gaming of the system once proxies are known.     

Conclusion

The Benazir Income Support Programme remains a beacon of hope for millions of underprivileged families in Pakistan. With the latest updates in 2024, including increased monthly stipends, integration of NSER survey data, and improved registration and payment processes, BISP is poised to extend its reach and impact even further.

By providing a streamlined registration process, clear eligibility criteria, and convenient online and SMS services for information access and payment status checks, BISP has made it easier for deserving families to avail the financial assistance they need. The program’s focus on transparency, efficiency, and grievance redressal ensures that the benefits reach those who need them the most, contributing to the overarching goal of poverty alleviation and social welfare in the country.