The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) & Benzair Taleemi Wazaif is the Government of Pakistan’s leading social safety net providing regular cash transfers to economically marginalized families across the country. Initiatives like Waseela-e-Taleem offer monthly unconditional grants to promote primary education amongst children from low-income backgrounds.
Families can apply to register as BISP beneficiaries based on defined eligibility criteria related to poverty rankings and income thresholds. The registration process involves submitting detailed household demographic and socioeconomic information for review.
Once registered, BISP beneficiaries can access a host of cash transfer and social security schemes like the educational stipends. This articles provides comprehensive guidance on the BISP registration mechanism and checking application status online using CNIC.
Step-by-Step Overview of BISP Registration Process
BISP identifies eligible low-income households for registration based on rigorous national poverty census surveys conducted periodically. The process involves:
- Trained BISP enumerators visit households across Pakistan to collect socioeconomic information on income, assets, demographics etc.
- Collected data is used to compute household poverty scores based on proprietary methodology
- Families with scores under the defined poverty ranking threshold are identified as potential beneficiaries
- Eligible households are informed and can submit registration applications with required documentation
- Submitted applications undergo verification procedures focused on validating applicant details
- Once approved after verification, households are formally enrolled into BISP system
- Registered families receive specialized BISP CNIC and PIN codes to access benefits like cash transfers
Checking Application Status Online
- Applicants can conveniently check registration status by CNIC through the BISP online portal
- They can also utilize the national helpline or visit their BISP Tehsil Office
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents when registering with BISP:
- Photocopy of CNIC for all adult family members
- Child registration certificates (Form-B) for those under 18 years
- Recent passport-size photographs of the household head
- Supporting eligibility documents (e.g. death or disability certificates if applicable)
Application Submission
- BISP has an online portal for applicants to submit registration forms
- Can also submit directly to BISP Tehsil offices in each district
- Assigned Field Supervisor can help collect forms and information from households
Women Encouraged to Apply
- BISP aims to empower women through cash transfers
- Main applicant is recommended to be an eligible woman from household
Checking BISP Registration Status by CNIC
Applicants can check the status of their BISP registration using their CNIC details through the following methods:
BISP Online Portal
- Visit portal https://bisp.gov.pk/Status
- Enter 13-digit CNIC number without dashes
- Enter displayed code and click “Check Status”
- Obtain real-time update on application status
Call Center Helpline
- Call BISP toll-free helpline at 8171 from registered number
- Provide CNIC when prompted by interactive voice recorder (IVR) system
- Agent or automated response communicates current status
Visit BISP Tehsil Office
- Physically visit assigned BISP Tehsil Office for your area
- Present original valid CNIC to officer
- Get application status update from staff
Understanding BISP Registration Status Codes
When you check your BISP application status using your CNIC, you will receive one of the following status codes indicating the stage of your registration:
- Eligible Household – Your family has qualified for BISP based on your poverty score meeting the defined threshold. You may start receiving benefits after verification.
- Eligibility Survey in Progress – Your household poverty survey by BISP enumerators is still being conducted. It involves collecting socioeconomic information and computing scores.
- Missing CNIC – Your application remains pending because of incomplete CNIC details for family members. Retrieve proper identity card reference numbers.
- Data Entry in Progress – The BISP team is currently entering and processing the data from your submitted registration form. Verify details are accurate.
- Rejected – Unfortunately if your computed household scores exceed the BISP eligibility cutoff, your application is rejected. You may choose to appeal.
Important Note: The status message normally specifies next steps based on your registration stage. Promptly complete any pending documentation or verification formalities for smooth processing.
Understanding BISP PIN Codes and CNIC
- Once your family registers as beneficiaries, you will receive a Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) specifically for BISP identification.
- Additionally, your household will be assigned a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) code. This will be communicated via postal letter.
- The PIN enables you to withdraw your BISP quarterly cash transfers from any affiliated payment outlet nationwide.
- You must provide the valid BISP CNIC and matching PIN at time of payments to confirm eligibility.
- Preserve your special BISP CNIC and keep PIN confidential for regular social cash assistance.
BISP Eligibility Criteria
As per 2022-23 policy, families qualifying for BISP registration must:
- Score under the 32.29 threshold as per latest poverty census data
- Covers around 7 million households based on socioeconomic status
- Households facing disability or having widowed female members get priority
- Possess valid Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC) as per NADRA
- Declare monthly income under PKR 12,000 per household
- Not already enrolled for state assistance like Pakistan Baitul Mal programme
BISP periodically revises eligibility criteria based on updated national poverty surveys and aims to expand coverage. Check website for latest details before applying.
Conclusion
Checking your BISP program registration status online regularly through your CNIC facilitates smooth application processing. Make sure to retain application acknowledgment and reference codes for faster processing. If delayed beyond announced timelines, promptly contact BISP representatives by visiting the Tehsil office or calling the helpline.
Nauman is an education policy analyst associated with BISP as senior program consultant for the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif conditional cash transfer initiative. He heads portfolio management for the program including planning, budgeting and performance monitoring. Nauman has over 10 years experience in the social impact space. He completed his MPhil in Economics from Government College University Lahore, focusing his research on financial inclusion for literacy and skills development.