Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) 2023

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is a social safety net initiative launched by the Government of Pakistan in 2008 to provide financial assistance to vulnerable segments of society. The program is named after the late Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, who was known for her commitment to social welfare and poverty alleviation. The program is now part of ehsaas kafalat program

This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the BISP, including its history, objectives, beneficiaries, coverage, funding, and impact.

Also Read: Ehsaas Kafalat Program | Eligibility, Registration, Benefits

What is the Benazir Income Support Program?

The BISP was launched in 2008 by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government led by the late Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan’s first female prime minister. The program aims to provide a social safety net to the poorest households, especially women.

BISP is one of the most extensive social protection programs in the world and has been widely recognized as a successful model for poverty reduction.

what is Benazir Income Support Program (BISP)?

Objectives of BISP

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) has specific eligibility criteria that households must meet to receive financial assistance. The program uses a poverty scorecard to identify eligible beneficiaries, which assesses household poverty based on household assets, income, education, and health criteria.

To qualify for the BISP, households must meet the following requirements:

The family must live below the poverty line, which is currently defined as a monthly income of less than PKR 15,000.
The household must not own productive assets like agricultural land or a business.
The household must not have a member who is a government employee or receiving a pension.
The household must not have a member who owns a car.
The household must not have a member who is paying income tax.
The household must not have a member receiving a monthly salary of more than PKR 20,000.
The household must have at least one female member who is either the head of the household or a spouse.
The household must have a valid national identity card.

It is important to note that meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee automatic enrollment in the program. The final decision on enrollment rests with the BISP authorities, who may consider other factors, such as regional disparities and social vulnerability, in the selection process.

Documents Required for BISP

To apply for the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), households must provide certain documents to support their application. The required documents may vary depending on the household’s situation but generally include a

Valid national identity card (CNIC)

The head of the household must provide a valid CNIC to confirm their identity.

Family registration certificate (FRC)

The FRC is a document that lists all the family members and their relationship to the head of the household. The FRC must verify the household’s composition and ensure no duplicate or fake entries are made.

Proof of income

The BISP program is designed to assist households below the poverty line. Therefore, households must provide proof of their low income, such as wage slips, tax returns, or an affidavit stating their monthly income.

Proof of expenses

Households must provide evidence of their monthly expenses, such as utility bills, rent receipts, or medical bills.

How to Apply for BISP- Application Process

To apply for the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), eligible households must follow these steps:

Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) application process

Check Eligibility

Before using, families should check if they meet the BISP eligibility criteria. The criteria are based on the poverty scorecard and assess household poverty based on income, assets, education, and health.

Obtain application form

Once the eligibility is confirmed, households can obtain the application form from the BISP office or download it from the BISP website.

Fill out the form

The application form requires basic information about the household, such as the number of members, income, assets, and expenses. Households must ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date.

Attach required documents

Several documents, including a valid national identity card, a family registration certificate, and proof of income and expenses, must accompany the application form.

Submit the application

Once the application form and required documents are completed, households can submit them to the nearest BISP office or designated bank branch. The BISP staff will review the application and verify the information provided.

After submission of the application, households need to wait for confirmation from BISP regarding their enrollment in the program. If approved, households will receive a biometric payment card that will be used to receive financial assistance.

Also Read: Ehsaas Taleemi Wazaif Program | How To Apply|Overview

How does the BISP program work?

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is a social safety net program in Pakistan that provides cash transfers to the poorest households to help them meet their basic needs. Here’s how it works:

how does Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) work?

Identification of Beneficiaries

The first step in the BISP program is identifying eligible beneficiaries. The program uses a poverty scorecard to identify the poorest households in the country. The scorecard considers various factors, such as household size, income, education, and assets, to determine whether a family is eligible for the program.

Enrollment

Once eligible households are identified, they are enrolled in the program. The enrollment process involves collecting basic information about the household, such as their name, address, and family size.

Payment

BISP provides cash transfers to eligible households quarterly. The transfer amount depends on the household’s poverty score and can range from PKR 1,500 to PKR 4,000 per quarter.

Compliance

To continue receiving cash transfers, beneficiaries must comply with certain conditions. These conditions include sending their children to school, getting them vaccinated, and attending health and nutrition sessions.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The BISP program is closely monitored and evaluated to ensure it meets its objectives. The program collects data regularly to assess the impact of cash transfers on poverty reduction.

Overall, the BISP program is designed to provide a safety net for the poorest households in Pakistan and help them meet their basic needs.

Also Read: Ehsaas Program 12000 cash online check 2023 | Apply online

The distribution process for BISP

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) in Pakistan involves the following steps:

Amount of Cash Transfer

BISP provides cash transfers to eligible households quarterly. The transfer amount depends on the household’s poverty score and can range from PKR 1,500 to PKR 4,000 per quarter.

Payment Method

BISP uses different payment methods to distribute cash transfers, depending on the location and accessibility of the beneficiaries. The payment methods include ATM cards, mobile wallets, and cash disbursement through designated banks.

SMS Notification

BISP sends an SMS notification to the beneficiary’s registered mobile number before the scheduled payment date to inform them of the amount and method of payment.

Overall, the distribution process for BISP aims to ensure that cash transfers reach eligible households transparently and efficiently.

BISP Payment frequency and amount

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) in Pakistan provides cash transfers to eligible households quarterly. The payment frequency and amount depend on the poverty score of the home, which is determined through the poverty scorecard. Here are the details:

Payment Frequency

BISP provides quarterly cash transfers, meaning eligible families receive the payment four times yearly.

Payment Amount

The cash transfer amount depends on the household’s poverty score, which is calculated based on various factors such as household size, income, education, and assets. Cash transfers can range from PKR 1,500 to PKR 4,000 per quarter.

BISP New Update on March 2023

Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) new update

One of the recent updates, the distribution of BISP payments for March 2023, has commenced, providing eligible Benazir Kafalat beneficiaries with 7000 Rupees. Notably, the quarterly stipend for deserving BISP beneficiaries has been increased from Rs7,000 to Rs9,000, following the Prime Minister’s directives from February 2023.

The Utility Stores Corporation has also implemented a 15 to 20 rupees discount on various food items such as flour, sugar, ghee, pulses, and rice to benefit its customers.

How To Check BISP Kafalat Balance Via CNIC Online

One of the most popular programs under BISP is the Kafalat program, which provides a monthly stipend of 2000 rupees to eligible female beneficiaries.

If you are a beneficiary of the BISP Kafalat program, you can quickly check your balance online using your CNIC number. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Open the official BISP website in your browser.
Click on the “Beneficiary Information” tab on the homepage.
Select the “CNIC Information” option from the drop-down menu.
Enter your 13-digit CNIC number in the designated field.
Click on the “Submit” button.
Once you submit your CNIC number, your beneficiary information, including your balance, will be displayed on the screen.
If you want to print your beneficiary information, click the “Print” button.

The online balance check facility is only available for BISP Kafalat beneficiaries. If you are enrolled in other BISP programs, you must check your balance by visiting the BISP office or calling their helpline.

Also Check: Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program Online Registration-2023

Benefits Or Impact of the BISP program

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) in Pakistan has significantly affected the lives of the country’s poor and vulnerable population. Here are some of the benefits and impacts of the program:

Poverty Reduction

BISP has contributed to reducing poverty in Pakistan by providing cash transfers to eligible households.

Women Empowerment

BISP is a women-focused program, and it prioritizes female beneficiaries. Cash transfers are provided to women beneficiaries.

Education and Health improvement

BISP encourages households to invest in education and health by linking cash transfers to school attendance and immunization. This has led to increased school enrollment and improved health outcomes for children.

Social Protection

BISP provides social protection to vulnerable groups such as widows, orphans, and people with disabilities by providing them with cash transfers to meet their basic needs.

Overall, the BISP program has played a vital role in reducing poverty. It has encouraged investment in education and health, leading to long-term benefits for the country.

Challenges faced by the BISP program

While the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) in Pakistan has had many benefits, it has also faced some criticisms and challenges. Here are some of them:

Exclusion Error: Some eligible households may not be included in the program, while some ineligible households may receive cash transfers.
Inclusion Error: Non-poor families may be included in the program reduces the program’s effectiveness.
Limited Coverage: Despite being the most extensive social safety net program in Pakistan, the coverage of BISP is still limited. Many eligible households still need to be covered by the program, which means they cannot access the benefits.
Compliance Issues: There have been concerns about the accuracy of monitoring compliance through the mobile-based system, and the program needs to find better ways to ensure compliance.
Budget Constraints: The government’s budgetary constraints may limit the scope and coverage of BISP. The availability of resources determines the program’s expansion and effectiveness.

FAQs

The BISP program is a social safety net initiative launched by the government of Pakistan in 2008 to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households in the country.

The BISP program targets poor and vulnerable families in Pakistan, focusing on women. Eligibility is determined based on a poverty scorecard and a means test.

The BISP program provides cash transfers to eligible households through a payment mechanism that includes biometric verification and a payment card.

Cash transfers are provided to eligible households quarterly.

The number of cash transfers provided through the BISP program varies based on household size, location, and other factors. Currently, the maximum cash transfer amount is PKR 4,000 per quarter.

The future of the BISP program in Pakistan depends on the government’s commitment to poverty reduction, the availability of resources, and the program’s effectiveness in addressing the challenges it faces. The program may undergo reforms, expansion, integration, digitalization, and alternative financing mechanisms to ensure sustainability and provide a safety net for the country’s poor and vulnerable population.

To register online for the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) in Pakistan, you can follow the steps below:

Visit the BISP official website.
Click on the “Registration” tab on the top menu of the homepage.
Select the option “Apply Online.”
Create an account by providing your CNIC number, mobile number, and email address.
Verify your account by entering the verification code sent to your mobile number or email address.
Fill out the registration form with your details, including your name, CNIC number, date of birth, and contact information.
Provide information about your household, including the number of family members, income source, and assets.
Attach the required documents, including your CNIC copy, household registration certificate, and utility bills.
Review your application and submit it online.

The objectives of BISP are poverty reduction, women empowerment, improvement in education and health, and social protection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) in Pakistan has provided a safety net for the country’s poor and vulnerable population. The program has helped alleviate poverty, improve nutrition and health outcomes, and promote social welfare.

BISP can be vital in reducing poverty and promoting social welfare in Pakistan. However, The program’s success will depend on its ability to adapt to changing circumstances, address the needs of its beneficiaries, and ensure sustainability in the long run.