8171 PMT Score Check Online CNIC 2026 | Eligibility Guide

Checking your 8171 PMT score is the first step to knowing if you qualify for government assistance programs in Pakistan. If you’ve heard about the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and want to verify your eligibility using your CNIC, this guide walks you through everything—from understanding what PMT scores mean to checking your status online in minutes.

What is 8171 PMT Score Check?

The 8171 PMT (Proxy Means Test) score check is a system used by the Government of Pakistan to determine which families qualify for financial assistance through BISP. Your PMT score is calculated based on household income, assets, living conditions, and family size.

How it works: When you send your CNIC number to 8171 via SMS or check online, the system retrieves your PMT score from the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER). If your score falls below the poverty threshold (currently set at 40 points for 2026), you’re eligible for monthly stipends ranging from PKR 10,500 to PKR 14,000.

The 8171 service is the official helpline managed by BISP to help citizens check eligibility, update information, and resolve payment issues without visiting offices.

Why PMT Score Matters for Pakistani Families

Your PMT score directly impacts your family’s access to financial support during tough economic times. With inflation and rising costs, thousands of families depend on BISP payments for basic necessities like food, children’s education, and healthcare.

Key benefits of knowing your PMT score:

• Confirms eligibility for monthly cash assistance
• Helps you understand what factors affect your qualification
• Allows you to update incorrect household information
• Enables access to educational scholarships for children
• Qualifies families for health insurance programs under Sehat Sahulat

Many families don’t realize they’re eligible simply because they’ve never checked their score. Others assume they qualify but discover their information needs updating.

Complete Guide to Check 8171 PMT Score Online with CNIC

Method 1: SMS to 8171 (Fastest Way)

This is the most popular method used by millions of Pakistanis.

Step-by-step process:

1. Open your phone’s messaging app
2. Type your 13-digit CNIC number (without dashes)
3. Send the SMS to 8171
4. Wait 1-3 minutes for a reply

What the reply means:

• If eligible: You’ll receive confirmation with your PMT score and payment details
• If not eligible: The message explains you don’t qualify based on current assessment
• If data missing: You’ll be asked to register or update information at the nearest BISP office

Example: If your CNIC is 4220112345678, simply text “4220112345678” to 8171.

Pro tip: Make sure you’re using the phone number registered under your CNIC. If you get no response, try from a different network (Jazz, Telenor, Zong, or Ufone all work).

Method 2: Online Portal Check

BISP launched an official web portal for checking eligibility without SMS charges.

How to check online:

1. Visit the official BISP website: bisp.gov.pk
2. Click on “Ehsaas Program” or “8171 Check Online”
3. Enter your 13-digit CNIC number
4. Complete the captcha verification
5. Click “Submit” or “Check Status”
6. Your eligibility status and PMT score appear instantly

What you’ll see:

• Current eligibility status (Active/Inactive)
• PMT score value
• Last payment date and amount
• Next expected payment schedule

This method works 24/7 and doesn’t require mobile balance. You can check from smartphones, tablets, or computers.

Method 3: BISP Mobile App

The official BISP app offers the most features for beneficiaries.

Features available:

• PMT score checking with CNIC
• Payment history and upcoming payments
• Update contact information
• File complaints or grievances
• Locate nearest BISP office or payment center

Download links:

• Android: Google Play Store (search “BISP Official App”)
• iOS: Not yet available (as of 2026)

Using the app:

1. Download and install from Play Store
2. Open app and select “Check Eligibility”
3. Enter your CNIC number
4. View complete profile and payment details

The app saves your information for quicker future checks, but always keep your CNIC data private and don’t share login details.

Understanding Your PMT Score and What It Means

The PMT scoring system uses a 0-100 scale. Lower scores indicate greater financial need.

Score breakdown:

PMT Score	Status	Meaning
0-30	Highly Eligible	Severe poverty, priority for maximum assistance
31-40	Eligible	Qualifies for BISP payments
41-50	Borderline	May qualify depending on program capacity
51-100	Not Eligible	Income/assets exceed poverty threshold

Factors that determine your score:

• Monthly household income (largest factor)
• Type of house (concrete vs mud/temporary)
• Ownership of assets (car, motorcycle, refrigerator, AC)
• Land ownership and agricultural assets
• Number of earning members in household
• Education level of household head
• Access to utilities (electricity, gas, water)

Real example: A family of six living in a rented two-room house with one earner making PKR 20,000 monthly typically scores between 25-35, making them eligible. A family with two earners, owning a motorcycle and living in their own concrete house might score 45-55, disqualifying them.

8171 Eligibility Criteria for 2026

To qualify for BISP assistance through 8171, you must meet these requirements:

Primary Eligibility Requirements:

✅ Pakistani citizenship with valid CNIC
✅ PMT score below 40 (poverty threshold)
✅ Female head of household (preference given)
✅ Age 18 years or above
✅ Not receiving other government pensions or assistance
✅ Registered in NSER database with accurate information

Additional Qualifying Factors:

• Households with widows or divorced women get priority
• Families with disabled members receive preference
• Pregnant or lactating women qualify for additional support
• Children enrolled in school can access education stipends

Automatic Disqualification:

❌ Government employees or their spouses
❌ Anyone receiving government pension
❌ Owners of commercial vehicles or property
❌ Possession of agricultural land exceeding 2 acres
❌ Foreign nationals or dual citizenship holders
❌ Anyone with monthly income exceeding PKR 40,000

Important note: Being unemployed doesn’t automatically qualify you. The system assesses your entire household’s economic situation, including assets and living standards.

How to Register for 8171 BISP Program

If you’ve checked and found you’re not in the system, here’s how to register:

Registration Process:

Step 1: Visit BISP Tehsil Office Locate your nearest BISP office through the website or helpline. Bring original documents.

Step 2: Required Documents

• Original CNIC (yours and household members)
• B-Form for children under 18
• Proof of residence (utility bill or rent agreement)
• Recent passport-size photograph

Step 3: Survey Interview A BISP representative conducts a detailed survey covering:

• Household composition and family members
• Income sources and amounts
• Housing type and ownership
• Assets and possessions
• Utility access and expenses

Step 4: Verification Process

• Data is entered into NSER system
• Field verification team may visit your home
• PMT score is calculated based on survey data
• You receive confirmation SMS within 3-6 weeks

Step 5: Activation If eligible, your case is activated and you’ll receive:

• Confirmation message on registered mobile
• First payment notification
• Instructions for collecting money

Processing time: Typically 2-3 months from registration to first payment.

Common Issues and How to Resolve Them

Issue 1: “No Record Found” Message

Why this happens:

• You’re not registered in NSER database
• CNIC number was entered incorrectly
• Your data hasn’t been updated since old surveys

Solution:

• Double-check CNIC number (13 digits, no spaces or dashes)
• Visit nearest BISP office to register
• Ask for NSER survey if you’ve never been assessed

Issue 2: Eligible but Not Receiving Payments

Possible reasons:

• Mobile number not updated in system
• Bank account or payment method not configured
• Your case is under verification review
• Budget allocation limits for your region

Solution:

• Update contact details at BISP office
• Set up Kafalat payment method (ATM card or bank account)
• Call 8171 helpline for case status
• File complaint through BISP portal or app

Issue 3: PMT Score Too High Despite Financial Need

Why scores might be inflated:

• Outdated information from old surveys
• Incorrect reporting of assets or income
• Household composition has changed
• Earning members decreased but data not updated

Solution:

• Request PMT re-assessment at BISP office
• Provide updated income proof (if applicable)
• Report changes in household status
• Submit written application for data correction

Processing time for corrections: 4-8 weeks typically.

Payment Methods and Collection Process

Once eligible, you can receive payments through multiple methods:

Option 1: Biometric ATM Card

Most common method. You receive a dedicated ATM card linked to your CNIC.

How it works:

• Card issued after eligibility confirmation
• Payments deposited every quarter (every 3 months)
• Withdraw from any bank ATM accepting biometric verification
• No PIN needed—uses fingerprint authentication

Withdrawal process:

1. Visit participating ATM (HBL, NBP most common)
2. Insert card and select “Withdrawal”
3. Place finger on biometric scanner
4. Enter amount and collect cash

Option 2: Mobile Wallet (JazzCash/EasyPaisa)

Convenient for areas with limited ATM access.

Setup requirements:

• Active mobile account with Jazz or Telenor
• CNIC registered with mobile wallet provider
• Linked at BISP office during registration

Benefits:

• Instant payment notification
• Transfer to bank or withdraw from agents
• No travel needed to ATMs

Option 3: Bank Account Transfer

For those with existing bank accounts.

Process:

• Provide bank account details at BISP office
• Payments deposited directly each quarter
• Withdraw from your branch or ATM

Best for: Educated beneficiaries comfortable with banking.

Latest Updates for 8171 BISP in 2026

Increased Payment Amounts: BISP raised quarterly payments from PKR 9,000 to PKR 10,500 in early 2026, with further increases expected based on inflation.

Expanded Coverage: Government aims to cover 9 million families by mid-2026, up from 7.5 million in 2025.

Digital Verification: New biometric verification systems reduce fraud and ensure payments reach actual beneficiaries.

Education Stipends: Children of beneficiaries enrolled in primary schools receive additional PKR 1,500 quarterly, secondary students get PKR 2,500.

Health Insurance Integration: All BISP beneficiaries automatically qualify for Sehat Sahulat Program coverage up to PKR 1 million annually for medical treatment.

Mobile App Improvements: Updated app includes payment calculators, document upload features, and real-time complaint tracking.

Tips for Maintaining Your 8171 BISP Eligibility

Keep information updated: If you move, change phone numbers, or have major household changes, update at BISP office within 30 days.

Avoid small income increases triggering disqualification: While you can earn, staying below PKR 40,000 household monthly income is crucial.

Maintain documentation: Keep copies of CNIC, payment receipts, and any correspondence from BISP.

Respond to verification calls: BISP conducts random checks. Answer honestly to avoid suspension.

Don’t sell or transfer your ATM card: This is illegal and results in permanent disqualification.

Report suspicious activity: If someone asks for bribes to maintain eligibility, report to BISP helpline immediately.

Comparison: 8171 vs Other Government Programs

Program	Eligibility	Payment Amount	Check Method
BISP 8171	PMT score under 40	PKR 10,500/quarter	SMS/Online/App
Ehsaas Emergency Cash	Specific crisis situations	PKR 12,000 one-time	Online portal only
Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship	University students from poor families	PKR 4,000/month	University application
Sehat Sahulat Card	BISP beneficiaries + others	Medical coverage up to PKR 1M	Hospital registration

Key difference: 8171 BISP is the largest and most consistent program providing regular quarterly payments. Other programs offer supplementary support but don’t replace BISP.

Pros and Cons of 8171 PMT System

Pros:

✅ Reaches millions of deserving families nationwide
✅ Easy checking process via SMS/online
✅ Transparent scoring system based on objective criteria
✅ Regular payments help with household budgeting
✅ No middlemen or bribery required for genuine cases
✅ Integrated with education and health programs
✅ Biometric verification reduces fraud

Cons:

❌ PMT scoring sometimes misses genuinely poor families
❌ Registration process requires office visits
❌ Data updating can take months
❌ Payment amounts don’t always match inflation
❌ Rural areas face challenges accessing ATMs
❌ System errors occasionally cause payment delays
❌ Limited recourse for disputed disqualifications

Regional Offices and Contact Information

8171 Helpline: Available 24/7 for queries and complaints (call charges apply)

Main BISP Office:
Benazir Income Support Programme Headquarters
Plot No. 1, Sector H-8/1, Islamabad

Provincial Offices:

• Punjab: BISP Directorate, 21-Davis Road, Lahore
• Sindh: BISP Complex, Civic Center, Karachi
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: BISP Office, Sector F-7, Peshawar
• Balochistan: BISP Directorate, Jinnah Town, Quetta

Online Support:

• Website: bisp.gov.pk
• Email: complaints@bisp.gov.pk
• Facebook: @BISPofficial

Best time to call: 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday-Friday for quickest response.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How long does it take to get a response after sending CNIC to 8171?
A: Usually 1-3 minutes. If you don’t receive a reply within 5 minutes, check your CNIC number and try again. Network issues sometimes cause delays, so try during non-peak hours.

Q: Can I check someone else’s 8171 status using their CNIC?
A: Yes, you can send any CNIC to 8171, but for security reasons, detailed information and payments only go to the registered mobile number. If checking for an elderly relative, use their registered phone.

Q: What if my PMT score is 41 but I genuinely need assistance?
A: Visit your nearest BISP office with income proof and request a re-assessment. Provide documentation showing changed circumstances like job loss, medical expenses, or increased family size. The review process takes 4-8 weeks.

Q: Do I need to re-register every year to stay eligible?
A: No. Once registered and eligible, you remain in the system automatically. However, BISP conducts periodic surveys to update information. If selected for re-survey, cooperate fully to maintain eligibility.

Q: Can men receive BISP payments under 8171 program?
A: The program prioritizes female household heads, but widowers, divorced men with dependents, or disabled male heads of household can qualify if they meet PMT criteria and demonstrate genuine need through the tehsil office.

Conclusion

Checking your 8171 PMT score online with your CNIC is simple and takes just minutes through SMS, web portal, or mobile app. Understanding your eligibility status helps you access financial assistance that can genuinely improve your family’s living conditions. If you’re eligible, make sure your information stays updated and collect payments regularly. If you’re not in the system yet but believe you qualify, visit your nearest BISP office to register. The program continues expanding, and staying informed about updates ensures you don’t miss benefits your family deserves.

Take action today: Send your CNIC to 8171 right now to check your status. If eligible, set up your payment method. If not registered, gather your documents and visit the closest BISP office this week.