Ehsaas Program: BISP Benazir Income Support Program [NEW]

Ehsaas Program or BISP Benazir Income Support Program also known as Benazir Kafaalat Program is a well-known charity program, an unconditional cash transfer program called “BISP” (Benazir Income Support Program ). It was started in 2008 by Yousuf Raza Gillani with the assistance and advice of Asif Ali Zardari. The only aim is to provide financial support to all deserving people, and now it provides financial aid to approximately 9 million families around Pakistan.

In this article, we will provide you with all the details about the Ehsaas Program, BISP Benazir Income Support Program :

BISP Benazir Income Support Program History

As mentioned earlier, the Benazir Income support program was started by the ex-prime minister of Pakistan, Yousuf Raza Gillani, with the advice and support of Asif Ali Zardari. It was a tribute to Benazir Bhutto Zardari, who was brutally killed in 2007.

Since 2005, High inflation and rising food and gasoline prices have reduced the purchasing power of many Pakistani families.

BISP arose against this backdrop to address reductions in purchasing power. Along with the economic development aims of the program, BISP also seeks to empower women by presenting cash transfers directly to female members of households.

BISP is a great program with a strong motive; it is not only for ordinary people but for disabled persons as well. BISP is also empowering all women by providing them with financial aid through this program to the females of houses.

In the initial years of this program, it covered almost 5 million low-income families, and the government allocated approximately 34 billion for the program. After the exponential growth of low-income families because of inflation and lack of jobs, its allocation increased to 70 billion RS in the same year.

Then, after the program’s success, BISP started its e-commerce platform as well.

Benazir Income Support Program BISP The Largest Aid Program

As mentioned earlier, BISP is one of the largest financial programs in Pakistan, and it has also become the third-largest allocation program of the government. It’s a great income support program that, even in the first starting year of the program, more than 3 million low-income families were funded by this.

This number represents 1.5% of the total population and 10% of those living in poverty.

Benazir Income Support Program BISP Program Structure

The procedure for choosing and identifying eligible families through Parliamentarian approval ended in April 2009. Families are identified using the Poverty Scorecard’s proxy means test.

Systems for internal monitoring are being created to keep track of delivery and payments made to qualified families. Another great training program, “Waseela e Rozgaar,” provides almost one year to make them independent by training them in any particular skill.

BISP also devised another great initiative, “Waseela e Taleem.”

In this program, parents receive a specific amount of cash as a fee for their children’s primary education.

These are the same payments provided to low-income families as an aid whose family member is killed or affected by natural disasters, war, etc. So, Waseela-e-Taleen payment is also similar to it.

Main Objectives of the BISP Benazir Income Support Program

As mentioned earlier, BISP is a great initiative taken by the members of the Pakistan People’s Party as a tribute to the ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto, and their main object is to reduce poverty and help the deserving low-income families whose bread runner are affected or killed by the earthquake, target killing, war, etc.

So, it’s a great program to fight poverty by utilizing various social protection tools created to permanently improve the lives of families who have been consistently excluded.

This great program was previously established through a parliament act, and the following are some of the main objectives of BISP:

1. As mentioned earlier, The main objective is to create ease for the deceased families of affected people or low-income families by providing them with financial support
2. Create and implement complete policies and programs specifically aimed at helping the weak and disadvantaged.
3. In Pakistan, survival is becoming difficult every day because of the increase in inflation, so they aim to reduce poverty, spread happiness around people, and make their lives a bit easier.

Benazir Income Support Program Budget

As mentioned earlier, the total allocation and the funds provided to BISP by the government were approx Rs. 471 Billion budget for the year 2023-2024 in Islamabad on 2nd August 2023; some important developments were also made because of the women’s empowerment and making them independent irrespective of age, race, culture, etc. Ms. Shazia Marri, Federal Minister and Chairperson of BISP, presided over the 60th Board meeting of the Benazir Income Support Programme at its headquarters.

However, the bill was approved for almost 361.5 billion rs for the Benazir Kafaalat Program, which has covered more than 9 million low-income families, and the remaining amount was reserved for other projects as well, such as Benazir Nashonuma and almost 55.4 billion rs was given to the families to support them.

The other project also includes Benazir Taleemi Wazaif for educational purposes and almost 9 million children.

Also, 6 billion RS are distributed to undergraduate students as well.

The Board was also apprised of last year’s performance, whereby the number of Benazir Kafaalat beneficiaries was increased from 7.6 to 9 million, along with an increase in cash stipend from Rs 7000 to Rs 8750 per quarter per family.

The Board was informed that the number of beneficiaries of the Taleemi Wazaif Programme had increased from 2.6 to 7.52 million, and those of the Benazir Nashonuma Programme had increased from 0.2 to 0.77 million.

One key choice was to broaden the application of the just-instituted Benazir Social Protection Account. Due to its dependence on two banks and their agents, the Benazir Income Support Program’s current payment system needed help, which resulted in complaints and problems.

Benefits of the BISP Benazir Income Support Program

However, there are plenty of benefits of the BISP program, and people are also at ease because of this great initiative. Here are some of the major benefits of BISP discussed below:

1. Poverty Reduction
2. Empowerment of Women
3. Improved Health and Education
4. Increased Financial Inclusion
5. Social Cohesion

1- Poverty Reduction

As mentioned earlier, the main aim of this program to provide financial assistance to low-income families is to reduce poverty and help them fight high inflation. As Pakistan is facing plenty of problems, low, middle-class families must be aided to improve their living standards and live better lives.

2- Empowerment of Women

One of the best benefits of this program is that they are working on women’s empowerment so they don’t depend on someone else by giving entire control over their financial matters.

3- Improved Health and Education

The cash provided to low-income families can also be used for health and educational purposes. So, it’s a great initiative helping many families and children get primary education and manage medical expenses.

4- Increased Financial Inclusion

By encouraging recipients to obtain bank accounts, the BISP also promotes financial inclusion. This facilitates greater access to financial services and encourages investment and saving.

5- Social Cohesion

The BISP contributes to advancing social cohesion and reducing inequality in society by lowering poverty and raising the standard of living for low-income households. Also, sadly, equality is now measured in the parameters of finances, which needs to be corrected. So, it’s a great initiative for low-income families to raise their living standards, as mentioned above.

BISP App Download

To assist families whose combined income is insufficient to support their family, the Pakistani government established the Benazir Income Support Program in July 2008. Prices for commodities reached their highest point at this time, and the global financial emergency was causing an economic crisis.

To register new participants in the Benazir Income Support Program, a mobile app called BISP has been developed.

The Benazir Income Support 2023 app was created to provide advice and guidance regarding the Benazir Income Support Programme. You can verify your eligibility for the Benazir Income Support Programme Portal in this app and apply for the program.

Therefore, you should install this app and check your eligibility for BIPS 2023 if you qualify for the Benazir Income Support program.

You can search the Ehsaas Program app on Google Play Store and download it from there.

BISP 8171 Online Registration

The registration forms are available at www.nser.nadra.gov.pk tracking ID if you want to register online. You can also discover the closest Ehsaas Govt 8171 center by visiting the BISP’s official website at www.bisp.gov.pk.

If you still need to, you can SMS 8171 to verify the 2023 Nadra online registration for the CNIC check on the ehsaas program. Information about Ehsaas Kafalat program eligibility, enrollment, and free amount delivery may be found here.

Following are some of the steps to register in BISP:

Step 1

First of all, you must have all the documents as well as the required information for registration. All these documents are CNIC, bank account details, which includes pay slips, bank statement, etc.,

Step 2

Go to https://ehsaastracking.org/ to access the BIS Programme 8171 Web Portal for online app tracking and then proceed to the registration process.

Step 3

Press “New Registration” to begin the process after completing the previous steps. Record your CNIC number or Form Number so you can check the eligibility of your application. Once finished, enter the verification code in the image (captcha).

Step 4

As mentioned earlier, it will ask for your personal information and provide everything to proceed to the next step. This information might include contact number, address, name, etc.

Step 5

This step will ask for all the information related to your house, and then the verification procedure will begin. It includes details about your family members, relationships, CNIC, and other information to avoid problems.

Step 6

This step includes the details about your bank account and everything related to it, like bank name, code, etc. This step is to deposit the cash in your bank account.

Step 7

Review all of the provided information to confirm accuracy before applying. Put your online application in once you’re happy. You will get a notice or email confirming that your registration was submitted successfully.

Eligibility Criteria for Benazir Kafaalat Progarm

BISP’s eligibility criteria are based on the available financial space; the BISP Board determines the PMT eligibility cut-off score. All families receiving cash assistance through the Benazir Kafaalat Programme must meet the approved PMT cut-off score.

• Those who are homeless and experience sudden financial challenges are also eligible for BISP
• Also, for disabled people, the PMT score must be 30 or higher
• According to Bait-ul-Maal’s policy, if a family has only one special person, the maximum amount limit is 10,000, and if the family has more than one special person, the maximum amount limit is 25000rs
• Priority is given to those who do not receive financial aid from Zakat or Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal, and among all deserving applicants, the disabled applicant is prioritized

The eligibility criteria for the BISP program have been summarized below:

1. having a low income
2. Confirmation of enrollment in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
3. Having a valid Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) and exceeding the required household income

BISP Card Facility

To save the beneficiaries from the hassle of visiting the agents and site office to collect the amount, the government has decided to restart the Benazir Card for eligible families.

All eligible families can apply for the card, and they will easily be able to withdraw their money from HBL Bank ATMs without any deduction.

Benazir Income Support Program Online Check Balance

There are numerous ways to check the progress of the BISP program in 2023, but the most reliable ones are covered below:

• Check by SMS
• Check over Portal

Check by SMS

First, write down your CNIC number and text it to 8171 if you want to check via SMS.

• You will soon receive an SMS informing you of your registration eligibility. Due to the prevalence of scams and the likelihood of fraud, management will verify your details and notify you.
• Visit any nearby BISP registration center after receiving the SMS to obtain money in your bank account.

Check Over Portal

You can also check your application status through the web portal by following the steps below:

• Visit the BISP Program 8171 Web Portal at ehsaastracking.pass.gov.pk to track your app usage online.
• Enter your details and search for it
• Wait for a few minutes and the result will be out

Benazir Income Support Programs Contact Details

Call the support line at 0800-26477 if you have any inquiries or concerns regarding this campaign. Below are the phone number, fax number, and email address:

1. 92-51-9240024
2. 92-51-9210022

KIN Policy

The BISP has a Next of Kin policy to continue providing financial support to the families of deceased beneficiaries. This policy allows the legal heirs of the deceased beneficiary family to participate in the program through a carefully thought-out appeals process.

When a beneficiary passes away, her family must submit the proper paperwork to the closest BISP Tehsil Office, including the beneficiary’s CNIC, a NADRA cancellation certificate, a Union Council death certificate, and the CNICs of any other family members.

Following processing, payments are made to the next-of-kin relatives as specified by BISP policy.

The Kin Policy also seems very beneficial for low-income families, and we are hoping for the best and the approval of this policy.

Addition of Transgender in BISP

One of the best initiatives to support BISP is for the transgender and to provide financial aid to them.

As nobody is talking about their right, they don’t even get jobs, so, in these extremely difficult conditions of the country, providing financial assistance is a great gesture towards them.

Transgender people must obtain CNICs from NADRA that identify their gender as transgender. Every BISP Tehsil Office has a Benazir Registration Centre where a survey is required. But there are fewer limits on PMT cut-off times.

Following the Biometric Verification System (BVS), Benazir Kafaalat cash aid is distributed to eligible recipients through two partner banks: HBL in Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan and Bank Alfalah in KP, GB, and AJK.

FAQS About Ehsaas Program: BISP Benazir Income Support Program

Following are some of the frequently asked questions:

Conclusion

The BISP is an essential social welfare program in Pakistan that offers low-income households cash support. Although it has encountered many difficulties, it is an essential safety net for society’s weakest and most vulnerable groups. BISP can aid in reducing poverty and inequality in Pakistan by enhancing its targeting and resolving its drawbacks.

But, it is indeed a great initiative taken by the Pakistan People’s Party for everyone around the country who cannot manage their expenses and meet their basic needs.