How to Check BISP Eligibility by CNIC (8171) – 2026 Guide
This guide is written in simple English, includes real Pakistan-based examples, and explains all official methods to check eligibility under BISP / Ehsaas programs.
1. What Is BISP and 8171?
BISP stands for Benazir Income Support Programme. It is Pakistan’s largest financial assistance program for poor and deserving families, especially women.
The 8171 system is the official platform used by the Government of Pakistan to:
Check BISP eligibility
Verify CNIC status
Send payment updates
Inform beneficiaries about new programs
BISP provides:
Quarterly cash assistance
Support under programs like:
Kafalat
Taleemi Wazaif
Emergency cash (when announced)
2. Who Can Check BISP Eligibility?
You can check BISP eligibility if:
You are a Pakistani citizen
You have a valid CNIC
You belong to a low-income household
You or your family registered in:
BISP survey
NSER (National Socio-Economic Registry)
Typical Eligible Persons
Widows
Divorced women
Disabled persons
Daily wage workers
Families with no stable income
👉 Example:
A widow in Bahawalpur with no regular income can check her eligibility by sending her CNIC number to 8171.
3. Documents Required to Check Eligibility
To check eligibility, no documents are needed—only your CNIC number.
However, for registration or verification, you may need:
Original CNIC
Children’s B-Form (for Taleemi Wazaif)
Disability certificate (if applicable)
Mobile phone registered on your CNIC
4. Step-by-Step: Check BISP Eligibility by CNIC via SMS (8171)
This is the most common and easiest method.
Step 1: Open SMS App
Open the messaging app on your mobile phone.
Step 2: Type Your CNIC Number
Type your 13-digit CNIC number
❌ Do not use dashes
Example:3520212345678
Step 3: Send SMS to 8171
Send the message to 8171
Step 4: Wait for Reply
Within a few seconds or minutes, you will receive a reply showing:
Eligible / Not Eligible
Registration required
Verification pending
Payment status (if already beneficiary)
📌 Important:
Only messages from 8171 are official.
5. Online Method: Check BISP Eligibility via 8171 Web Portal
If you have internet access, you can check online.
Step-by-Step Online Process
Open official 8171 portal
Enter:
CNIC number
Captcha code
Click Submit / Check Status
You will see:
Eligibility result
Payment details (if approved)
Survey or verification message (if required)
👉 Example:
A user in Karachi checks eligibility online instead of sending SMS due to network issues.
6. Offline Method: Check Eligibility at BISP Office
If SMS or online method does not work, use offline option.
Steps:
Visit nearest BISP Tehsil Office
Bring:
Original CNIC
Request eligibility check
Staff will verify your status in system
This method is useful if:
CNIC is blocked
Biometric issues exist
SMS response is unclear
7. Common SMS Replies and Their Meanings
Understanding the reply is important.
Common Messages Explained
“You are eligible”
✔ You qualify for BISP payments“Not eligible”
❌ You do not qualify based on survey data“Survey required”
⚠ You must complete NSER survey“Verification in process”
⏳ Your data is under review“Visit BISP office”
🏢 Further verification needed
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many people face issues due to small mistakes.
Avoid These Errors:
Sending CNIC with dashes
Using someone else’s CNIC
Trusting fake SMS or WhatsApp messages
Paying agents for “registration”
Ignoring verification messages
Using unregistered SIMs
⚠️ Warning:
BISP services are 100% free. Anyone asking for money is a scammer.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is 8171 free?
Yes. Sending SMS to 8171 is free on most networks.
Q2: Can men check BISP eligibility?
Yes, but payments are usually issued to women of the household.
Q3: What if I am not eligible?
You can:
Update data through NSER survey
Visit BISP office for guidance
Q4: Can eligibility change later?
Yes. Eligibility may change after:
New survey
Change in income
Family data update
Q5: How often are payments given?
Usually quarterly, but depends on the program.
Q6: What if CNIC is expired?
You must renew CNIC first. Expired CNICs are not accepted.
10. Conclusion
Checking BISP eligibility by CNIC (8171) is a simple, fast, and free process. The government has made it easy so that deserving families can access financial help without agents or middlemen.
Key Points to Remember:
Use only 8171 official methods
CNIC must be valid
Do not pay anyone
Complete NSER survey if required
Visit BISP office if issues persist
If you follow this guide, you can check your eligibility within minutes and avoid scams or confusion.
