Check Benazir Kafaalat Program via CNIC in 2024

The Benazir Kafaalat Program stands as a cornerstone of social protection in Pakistan. This cash transfer initiative aims to uplift the most vulnerable segments of society, particularly focusing on women’s empowerment and poverty alleviation. The program’s roots trace back to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), launched in 2008, which has since evolved into a more comprehensive social safety net.

Historical Context and Evolution from BISP

In 2008, Pakistan faced significant economic challenges, including high inflation and food insecurity. The government, recognizing the need for a targeted poverty alleviation program, established the Benazir Income Support Programme. Named after the late Benazir Bhutto, the program initially provided unconditional cash transfers to the poorest households.

Over the years, BISP underwent several transformations. In 2019, it was rebranded as part of the Ehsaas Program, a broader poverty alleviation initiative. The Benazir Kafaalat Program, launched in 2020, represents the latest evolution of this social protection scheme. It builds upon the foundation of BISP while introducing new features and expanding its reach.

Mission and Objectives

The Benazir Kafaalat Program’s primary mission is to provide financial support to the most disadvantaged families in Pakistan. Its objectives include:

1. Poverty Reduction: By providing regular cash transfers, the program aims to lift families above the poverty line and improve their overall quality of life.
2. Women’s Empowerment: The program specifically targets women as the primary beneficiaries, recognizing their role in household management and child welfare.
3. Financial Inclusion: By integrating beneficiaries into the formal banking system, the program promotes financial literacy and inclusion.
4. Human Capital Development: Through linked initiatives like educational stipends, the program invests in the future of beneficiary families.
5. Social Protection: The Kafaalat Program serves as a safety net, protecting vulnerable families from economic shocks and hardships.

These objectives align with Pakistan’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in reducing poverty and inequality.

Benazir Kafaalat Program Overview

The Benazir Kafaalat Program is more than just a cash transfer scheme. It’s a comprehensive social protection initiative designed to address multiple aspects of poverty and vulnerability.

Core Components of the Program

1. Unconditional Cash Transfers: The heart of the program is the quarterly cash payment made to eligible beneficiaries. As of 2024, this amounts to Rs. 8,500 per quarter.
2. Benazir Taleemi Wazaif: This educational component provides stipends to encourage school enrollment and attendance among children from beneficiary families.
3. Benazir Nashonuma Programme: Focused on nutrition, this initiative provides specialized nutritional support to pregnant and lactating mothers and young children.
4. Digital Payment System: The program utilizes a modern, biometric-verified payment system to ensure transparent and efficient fund disbursement.
5. Graduation Strategy: The Kafaalat Program includes initiatives to help beneficiaries graduate out of poverty through skill development and livelihood support.

Target Beneficiaries

The Benazir Kafaalat Program primarily targets:

• Women from the poorest households
• Widows and divorced women
• Persons with disabilities
• Transgender individuals

The program uses a data-driven approach to identify eligible beneficiaries, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most. By focusing on women, the program acknowledges their crucial role in household management and child welfare.

Eligibility Criteria For Kafaalat Program By Benazir Income Support BSIP

The Benazir Kafaalat Program employs a rigorous selection process to ensure that assistance reaches the most deserving individuals and families.

Who Qualifies for the Program

Eligibility for the Benazir Kafaalat Program is determined through a combination of factors:

1. Poverty Score: Households are assessed using the Proxy Means Test (PMT), which evaluates various socio-economic indicators. Families with a PMT score of 32 or below are generally eligible.
2. Gender: The program primarily targets adult women (18 years and above) as beneficiaries.
3. Marital Status: Preference is given to married women, widows, and divorced women.
4. Disability: Households with differently-abled members may qualify with a slightly higher PMT score (up to 37).
5. Transgender Individuals: The program has special provisions for including transgender persons, with relaxed PMT criteria.
6. Geographic Location: While the program is nationwide, there’s a focus on reaching underserved and remote areas.

Exclusion Criteria

To ensure that resources are directed to the most needy, certain groups are excluded from the program:

Excluded Groups	Reason for Exclusion
Government Employees (and their spouses)	Assumed to have stable income and benefits
Large Landowners	Possession of significant assets indicates higher economic status
High Income Earners	Household income above the program’s threshold
Multiple Vehicle Owners	Ownership of multiple vehicles suggests higher economic status
Recipients of Other Similar Aid	To avoid duplication of benefits
Households with High Utility Bills	Indicates a higher standard of living

It’s important to note that these criteria are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure the program remains targeted and effective in reaching the most vulnerable segments of society.

The Benazir Kafaalat Program’s eligibility criteria reflect its commitment to providing support where it’s most needed. By carefully defining who qualifies and who doesn’t, the program aims to maximize its impact on poverty reduction and social welfare in Pakistan.

Benefits & Cash Support Offered By Ehsaas Kafaalat Program

The Benazir Kafaalat Program gives different types of help to make life better for poor families in Pakistan. The main help is money. If you’re in the program, you get 8,500 rupees every three months. This money can help you buy food, pay for school, or cover other important needs your family has.

But that’s not all. If you have kids, the program also gives money to help them go to school. This part is called Benazir Taleemi Wazaif. The amount you get depends on how old your kids are and what grade they’re in. Here’s a simple breakdown:

School Level	Amount (Every 3 Months)
Primary	2,500 rupees
Secondary	3,500 rupees
Higher Secondary	4,500 rupees

This extra money helps pay for school things like books and uniforms.

The program also helps with food. There’s a part called the Ehsaas Rashan Program that lets you buy basic food items at lower prices. This helps make sure your family has enough to eat, even when money is tight.

How to Join the Benazir Kafaalat Program: Application Process

Joining the program isn’t too hard. You can do it online or by sending a message from your phone.

Here’s how you can apply:

Method	Steps
Online	1. Go to the BISP website 2. Find “Ehsaas Kafalat Program” section 3. Enter your CNIC and phone number 4. Type in the code sent to your phone 5. Fill out the form and submit
SMS	1. Write a new message 2. Type “New” (space) your CNIC number 3. Send to 8171 4. Follow instructions in reply message

No matter how you apply, you’ll need some important papers. The main one is your ID card (CNIC). You also need to give details about your family, like how many people live with you. They’ll want to know how much money you make, so have something that shows that. If you own anything valuable, you need to show papers for that too. It’s really important that all your papers are up-to-date and correct.

Eligibility & Verification Of Benazir Kafaalat Program

After you apply, the program needs to make sure you really need the help. They do this in a couple of ways. First, they check your ID card. This is to make sure you’re a real person and you live in Pakistan. They do this through a government system.

If your ID checks out, the next step is to check your finger or thumb print. For this, you’ll need to go to a special office. They’ll scan your finger or thumb print there. This might seem odd, but it’s important. It makes sure that no one else can pretend to be you and take your money.

If you’re accepted into the program, you’ll get your money through a bank. The program works with two main banks. Which bank you use depends on where you live:

Bank	Areas Covered
HBL	Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan
Bank Alfalah	KPK, GB, AJK

You get money four times a year, or every three months. Each time, you get 8,500 rupees. Here’s how it works: First, you’ll get a message on your phone telling you your money is ready. Then, you go to an ATM or a special payment point. Make sure to bring your ID card. They’ll check your finger or thumb print again. If everything matches, you’ll get your money.

It’s important to remember that only you can get this money. You can’t send someone else to pick it up for you. This rule helps stop people from cheating the system.

The Benazir Kafaalat Program tries to make getting help easy and fair. By giving money, helping with school costs, and making food cheaper, it hopes to make life better for many families in Pakistan. If you think this program could help you, don’t be afraid to apply. The process might seem complicated at first, but it’s set up to make sure the help goes to the people who need it most.

Benazir Kafaalat Program: How To Get Paid, Special Cases, and Fixing Problems

How To Get Your Money

The Benazir Kafaalat Program uses banks to give you your money. This makes sure you get your money safely and on time.

Banks That Help

Two main banks work with the program:

1. HBL (Habib Bank Limited): If you live in Punjab, Sindh, or Balochistan, you’ll get your money through HBL.
2. Bank Alfalah: If you’re in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), or Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Bank Alfalah will help you.

These banks do important jobs:

• They set up ATMs and special payment points where you can get your money.
• They make sure your money is safe until you come to get it.
• They help check that the right person is getting the money.

When and How Much You Get

You get money four times a year. That means every three months. Right now, each time you get 8,500 rupees. Here’s how you get your money:

1. You’ll get a message on your phone saying your money is ready.
2. Go to an ATM or special payment point. Don’t forget your ID card!
3. At the ATM or payment point, they’ll check your finger or thumb print.
4. If everything matches, you’ll get your 8,500 rupees.

Remember, only you can get this money. You can’t send someone else to pick it up for you.

Special Help for Some People

The Benazir Kafaalat Program wants to help everyone who needs it. That’s why they have special rules for some groups of people.

Help for Transgender Individuals

The program knows that transgender people often need extra help. Here’s what they do:

• Transgender people can join the program even if they don’t meet all the usual rules.
• They need to get a special ID card that says they’re transgender.
• They still need to fill out the survey at a Benazir Registration Center.
• After NADRA (the ID card people) checks everything, transgender individuals can start getting money.

Support for People with Disabilities

The program also gives extra help to families with differently-abled members:

• These families can join the program even if they have a bit more money than other families who get help.
• The program understands that having a family member with a disability often means extra costs.
• Families with a differently-abled person can join if their PMT (Proxy Means Test) score is up to 37, instead of the usual 32.

What to Do If You Have a Problem

Sometimes things might go wrong, or you might have questions. The Benazir Kafaalat Program has ways to help you with these issues.

How to Tell Them About a Problem

If something’s not right, here’s what you can do:

1. Call the free helpline: Dial 0800-26477. It doesn’t cost anything to call.
2. Visit a BISP office: Go to the nearest Tehsil office of BISP and tell them your problem.
3. Use the website: If you’re good with computers, you can use the BISP website to report your problem.

When you report a problem, make sure to:

• Have your CNIC number ready.
• Explain clearly what the problem is.
• If you’re calling, write down the date and time you called, and who you talked to if possible.

How They Fix Problems With the enrollments

After you tell them about your problem, here’s what happens:

1. They give your complaint a special number. Keep this number safe.
2. Someone will look into your problem. This might take a few days.
3. If it’s a simple problem, they might fix it right away.
4. For bigger problems, they might need to talk to other offices or banks.
5. They’ll let you know what’s happening, usually by sending a message to your phone.
6. If your problem is fixed, they’ll tell you. If not, they’ll explain why and what else they can do.

Take Away From the Article

The Benazir Kafaalat Program is a big help for many families in Pakistan who don’t have much money. Let’s look back at what we’ve learned about this important program:

1. It gives money to poor families every three months. Right now, that’s 8,500 rupees each time. This money can help buy food, pay for school, or cover other important needs.
2. The program also helps kids go to school by giving extra money for education. This is really important because education can help families have a better future.
3. There’s even help to buy food at lower prices through the Ehsaas Rashan Program. This means families can eat better, even when money is tight.
4. The program tries to be fair about who gets help. They check carefully to make sure the money goes to the people who need it most.
5. They use banks to give out the money safely. This helps make sure the right person gets the money and no one can cheat the system.
6. The program cares about everyone. They have special rules to help transgender people and families with disabled members. This shows they want to support all kinds of people who need help.
7. If something goes wrong, there are ways to report problems and get help. This means the program tries to take care of people even after they start getting money.

The Benazir Kafaalat Program is more than just giving out money. It’s about trying to make life better for many families in Pakistan. By helping with money, food, and school, the program hopes to give people a chance at a better life.

For families struggling with poverty, this program can be a ray of hope. It can help parents feed their children better, send them to school, and worry less about basic needs. Over time, this kind of help can change lives and communities.

If you think this program could help you or someone you know, it’s worth looking into. While the process might seem complicated at first, remember that there are people ready to help you understand and apply.

The Benazir Kafaalat Program shows that Pakistan is trying to take care of its people who need help the most. It’s a big step towards making the country a place where everyone has a chance to live a good life, no matter how much money they have.

By helping one family at a time, the Benazir Kafaalat Program is working to build a stronger, fairer Pakistan for everyone.