Check PMT Score Online by CNIC – BISP 8171 Poverty Score Calculator 2026
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Use our free Poverty Score Calculator tool to get an instant estimate of your BISP eligibility based on your household details.
Quick Summary: The PMT (Proxy Means Test) Score is a government poverty rating from 0–100 used by BISP to determine eligibility for financial assistance. A score of 32 or below qualifies you for the Rs. 14,500 quarterly Benazir Kafaalat payment in 2026. You can check your eligibility status via the 8171 web portal, by SMS to 8171, or by visiting a BISP Tehsil Office. Use the calculator above for an estimated score based on your household details.
Your Proxy Means Test score decides whether your household qualifies for the Rs. 14,500 quarterly Benazir Kafaalat payment. This guide explains how the score works, what the 8171 portal can and cannot tell you, and what to do if your score is too high.
PMT score scams are active — read this first
Several websites and WhatsApp agents claim they can “check your PMT score online” or “increase your BISP eligibility for a fee.” All of these are scams.
- No website can show your actual PMT score — only the BISP Tehsil Office can
- No agent can change your PMT score — only an NSER Dynamic Survey at the BISP office can
- BISP never charges a fee for any service — registration, surveys, and checks are all free
- Never share your OTP, bank PIN, or mobile wallet password with anyone claiming to help with BISP
Official portal only: 8171.bisp.gov.pk
The Poverty Score is the biggest factor in determining if you are eligible for the BISP 14,500 rupees quarterly fund or not. This score is calculated using 23 different pieces of information collected by the NSER dynamic Survey. The exact formula is not revealed by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety or the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER). But we have made a tool to check your estimated Poverty Score based upon all factors of the Benazir Income Support Programme. This article explains what the Poverty Score is, how you can verify your eligibility, and how to keep your score low so you can qualify for BISP.
How to Check PMT Score Using CNIC
To see your exact PMT score number, you must visit your nearest BISP Tehsil Office in person. There is no online method for this like the official BISP 8171 web portal. It is a deliberate design choice to prevent score manipulation.
If you do not have internet access and cannot visit the office yourself, call the BISP helpline on 0800-26477 (free, Monday to Friday). Explain that you want to know your NSER data and request a call-back appointment at your nearest Tehsil Office.
Why can’t we check PMT Score online?
BISP does not display individual PMT scores online because doing so would allow households to game the system — deliberately reducing income declarations or hiding assets to lower their score. In-person verification with a trained NSER officer is the safeguard.
What the 8171 Portal Actually Shows — and What It Does Not
The 8171 portal and SMS service show your eligibility status only — not your PMT score number. Understanding the difference between these two things prevents a very common and frustrating mistake.
Kya 8171 se apna PMT score check ho sakta hai?
No. When you send your CNIC to 8171 or enter it at 8171.bisp.gov.pk, the system returns one of these results:
The 8171 portal is still the fastest way to check your eligibility status and payment release. Use it for those purposes. Just do not expect it to show you a number.
How to use the 8171 portal (step by step)
- Open your SMS app — not WhatsApp. Use the default SMS application on your phone.
- Type your 13-digit CNIC number without dashes or spaces (example: 3520212345678).
- Send it to 8171 from the SIM registered on your CNIC. Using a different SIM can cause a mismatch.
- You will receive a free reply within about one minute showing your eligibility status.
Web portal method: Go to 8171.bisp.gov.pk, enter your 13-digit CNIC, solve the captcha (numbers only), and click Submit. Your eligibility status and payment information will appear immediately.
What You Need to Check Your PMT Score
Before checking your PMT Score, make sure you have the following ready:
Important: Always use the mobile number that is registered on your own CNIC when contacting 8171. Using another person’s number can cause a mismatch in the NSER database and delay your results.
What Is a PMT Score and Why Does It Matter?
The Government of Pakistan uses the Proxy Means Test (PMT) score — also called the Poverty Score — to measure household poverty on a scale of 0 to 100. It is used by various schemes like the Benazir Income Support Programme and the Benazir Kafaalat Program to determine financial aid eligibility. A lower score means more poverty and a higher chance of qualifying for BISP assistance, including the Rs. 14,500 quarterly Benazir Kafaalat payment in 2026.
Why is it called “Proxy”?
The word “proxy” means indirect measurement. Because it is impossible to verify every household’s real income directly, the government uses observable indicators — the type of house you live in, the assets you own, your employment status — as a proxy (stand-in) for income level. This is a globally used methodology, recognised by the World Bank and applied in social protection systems across South Asia and beyond.
How the Government Calculates Your PMT Score
It is calculated using 23 variable pieces of information, including monthly income, household assets, number of family members, and whether any family member is living abroad. It also considers the nature of employment and whether the head of household is a widow.
Key Factors That Affect Your BISP Eligibility
Here is a list of key factors that contribute to calculating your PMT score.
Household Information
NSER collects your household information during its survey. You can update it at the BISP Tehsil Office.
Number of family members
Number of dependents (children & elderly)
More dependents mean a lower PMT Score and higher chances of eligibility.
Education Level
Education level of the household head
Presence of literate family members
A lower educational level generally results in a lower PMT Score.
Employment Status
Being unemployed increases your chances of eligibility. A government job typically disqualifies a household.
Assets & Property
Ownership of:
House
Agricultural Land
Vehicle (Bike or Car)
Livestock
More assets mean a higher PMT Score and lower chances of qualifying for the Benazir Kafaalat Program or Benazir Taleemi Wazaif.
Living Conditions
Type of house (kacha/pakka)
Number of rooms
Access to electricity and gas
Poor living conditions mean a lower PMT Score and higher chances of eligibility.
PMT Score Classification and What It Means for BISP Eligibility
The eligibility threshold (cut-off) for BISP and Ehsaas programmes is a PMT score of 32 or below as of 2026. Here is what each score range means:
0–16
Highest Priority — Eligible for almost all government schemes including Benazir Kafaalat (Rs. 14,500/quarter).
17–32
Eligible — High chance of receiving funds. May not qualify for all sub-programmes but eligible for most.
33–37
Borderline — Very limited eligibility. May qualify only if a family member has a registered disability.
37+
Not Eligible — Does not qualify for cash transfer schemes. Can request an NSER re-survey to update data and potentially lower the score.
Special Cases: Who Can Still Qualify With a Higher PMT Score Above 32?
Certain categories of people may qualify for BISP assistance even if their PMT score is slightly above the standard threshold of 32:
If you fall into one of these categories, visit your nearest BISP Tehsil Office and inform the staff of your situation before requesting a re-survey.
It depends on your specific situation. A score between 33 and 37 is not automatically disqualifying if your household has a disabled member with a registered disability certificate. A score above 37 means you do not currently qualify, but if your data is outdated or recorded incorrectly, a Dynamic Re-survey may change this. See the section below on correcting your score.
It is also worth noting that the PMT threshold is set by the BISP Board based on available fiscal resources. It can change over time. The threshold stated here — 32 for standard eligibility, 37 for disability cases — is the confirmed rate as of September 2026.
Score 32 se upar ho lekin phir bhi BISP milne ke chances hain? Three categories of households may qualify for BISP assistance even if their PMT score is slightly above the standard threshold of 32.
Households with a disabled family member
If any member of your household has a registered disability, the eligibility threshold is relaxed to 37 or below instead of 32. This applies to the Benazir Himmat Card category and can also affect Kafaalat eligibility. The disability must be registered at NADRA — an unregistered disability does not trigger the relaxed threshold. Visit your nearest NADRA centre to register a disability if you have not already done so.
Widow-headed households
Households headed by widowed women receive additional consideration in the NSER scoring system. A widow heading a household with multiple dependents and no male earning member is weighted more favourably, which often results in a lower calculated score than the raw data would otherwise suggest. If you are a widow and received an ineligible result, visit the BISP Tehsil Office and specifically mention your widow status to the NSER officer before requesting a re-survey.
Households affected by natural disasters or floods
During declared disaster periods, BISP may extend eligibility to households above the standard threshold in affected areas. This is a temporary provision and varies by announcement. Check the official BISP website at bisp.gov.pk or call 0800-26477 to confirm if your district is currently covered by any disaster-specific relief provision.
Why You Should Check Your PMT Score Before Applying
The PMT score measures the level of poverty and determines eligibility not only for BISP, but also for related programmes like BISP Hunarmand, the Benazir Kafaalat Program, and other government welfare schemes. This system ensures merit-based distribution of funds, reducing fraud and ensuring assistance reaches the most vulnerable households. A lower PMT score means a higher chance of qualifying for government schemes.
More dependents, lower income, poorer housing, and no assets all push your score down — which is what you want. A government job, a car, agricultural land, and a pakka house all push your score up. No single factor automatically disqualifies or qualifies you — it is the combination of all 23 that produces your final number.
Kya government job hone se BISP bilkul band ho jata hai?
Being a government employee at Grade 17 or above is an automatic disqualifier. For lower-grade employees, the PMT score still applies — if the overall household score is at or below 32, you may still qualify. However, owning significant assets such as a car, agricultural land above a certain size, or filing income tax returns will raise the score considerably and likely result in ineligibility regardless of grade.
How to Stay Eligible?
NSER approval does not guarantee permanent eligibility. The National Socioeconomic Registry (NSER) updates your data in real time. Whenever your PMT score exceeds the threshold, your eligibility will be affected. To avoid losing your benefits, keep your NSER data current. These four steps will help you stay eligible:
Avoid False Information
Providing false information can result in a permanent ban from BISP and other government programmes, even if you are genuinely eligible. Always use accurate data. You can update your records by visiting the BISP Tehsil Office near you.
Use Your Own Information
Always use your own CNIC and the mobile number registered on your CNIC for any BISP-related inquiry. Your CNIC is the only identifier linking you to your NSER database record.
Keep Your Information Updated
Whenever your household data changes — assets, monthly income, or the number of dependent family members — update it through the NSER dynamic Survey at your nearest BISP Tehsil Office. The NSER Dynamic Registry means BISP updates your data in real time. Changes typically reflect within 2 to 3 weeks, so check your eligibility status again after that period.
Update Biometric Data at NADRA
Ensure your biometric information — thumb impression and fingerprint data — is up to date at the National Database and Regulation Authority (NADRA). Outdated biometric data can block your payments even if your PMT score is within the eligible range.
How to Correct a High or Incorrect PMT Score for BISP
If your BISP status changes to ineligible or your score increases above 32, follow these steps to confirm your NSER data and request a correction:
Out-of-district CNIC problem: If your CNIC shows an address in a different district from where you currently live — which is common for women who married and moved — your payment may be blocked even if your PMT score is eligible. This is not a score problem; it is a CNIC address problem. Visit your BISP Tehsil Office and ask them to link your current address to your CNIC record, and separately visit NADRA to update your permanent address.
Common Myths About PMT Scores That Cost People Their Payments
Several widespread misconceptions cause eligible families to assume they do not qualify — or cause ineligible families to be incorrectly included. Here are the most damaging ones, corrected.
Myth
Owning a mobile phone disqualifies you from BISP.
Facts
Owning a basic mobile phone is not a factor in the PMT score. Smartphones are also not listed as a disqualifying asset. What matters is ownership of vehicles, land, and livestock.
Myth
A son who works as a daily labourer means the whole household loses BISP.
Facts
Daily labour income is counted as employment income and raises the score slightly. But it does not automatically disqualify the household. If the overall PMT score remains at or below 32, eligibility is maintained. The key is whether all income is correctly recorded in NSER.
Myth
If I went for Hajj or Umrah through a sponsor, I am permanently disqualified.
Facts
A Hajj or Umrah trip sponsored by a community member, family relative, or charitable organisation is not counted as an asset or income in the current NSER framework. This disqualification was part of an earlier policy and has since been removed.
Myth
You can check your exact PMT score by SMS to 8171.
Facts
The 8171 SMS and web portal return eligibility status only — Eligible, Not Eligible, Payment Issued, or Survey Required. The numerical PMT score is available only at the BISP Tehsil Office NSER desk.
Myth
Once ineligible, you can never get BISP again.
Facts
Ineligibility is not permanent. If your household situation changes — loss of income, death of an earning member, selling an asset — you can request a new NSER Dynamic Survey. After the update, your score is recalculated and you may become eligible again.
Myth
Owning one motorcycle automatically makes you ineligible.
Facts
A single motorcycle raises your PMT score slightly as one of 23 factors. It does not automatically disqualify you. If all other factors — income, housing type, number of dependents — reflect genuine poverty, your overall score can still be at or below 32.
Conclusion
Your Poverty Score decides if you are eligible for BISP funds, including the quarterly Benazir Kafaalat payment of Rs. 14,500 (2026 rate). A lower PMT Score means a higher chance of eligibility. You can check your PMT Score using the 8171 Portal, 8171 SMS Service, or by visiting the BISP Tehsil office. Stay eligible by providing correct information, keeping your data updated in the NSER survey, and ensuring your biometric data is current at NADRA. If anything changes in your household, update it at the BISP Tehsil office and re-assess your household rating after 2 to 3 weeks. Doing this will help you stay eligible and receive your payments on time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Poverty Score and BISP eligibility.