If you’re living in Pakistan and struggling financially, you’re not alone. The Ehsaas Program 8171 was launched to support people like you—families struggling to meet basic needs, students with potential but no resources, and women who’ve lost their breadwinners.

In 2025, the government continues this initiative through monthly stipends, scholarships, and other relief options. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the Ehsaas Program 8171?

Ehsaas is one of the largest poverty alleviation efforts in Pakistan. Backed by the federal government and managed through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP),Launched in 2019, its goal is simple: provide financial support to the poorest families so they can afford essentials like food, healthcare, and education.

The program includes:

• Monthly cash stipends
  
• Emergency assistance
  
• Student scholarships
  
• Benazir Kafaalat (special cash support for women)
  

All these programs run under one umbrella to keep things efficient for people in need.

Source: BISP Official Website

CNIC Check Online – How to Know If You Qualify (2025)

You don’t need to visit an office to check if you’re eligible. Your Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) number is the key.

SMS Method:

• Open your SMS app
  
• Type your 13-digit CNIC number (no spaces or dashes)
  
• Send it to 8171
  
• You’ll receive a reply with your status
  

Online Method:

• Visit 8171.bisp.gov.pk
  
• Enter your CNIC and the image code
  
• Click “Maloom Karen”
  
• Your application or payment status will be shown
  

How to Register for the Ehsaas Program

You can register online or offline.

Online Registration:

• Go to 8171.bisp.gov.pk
  
• Fill in CNIC, family details, and contact info
  
• Submit and wait for confirmation
  

Offline Registration:

• Visit your nearest Ehsaas Registration Center
  
• Bring your original CNIC, children’s B-forms (if any), and proof of income
  
• A representative will help with registration
  

Remember, registration doesn’t guarantee approval. Data is verified through NADRA and government databases.

Source: BISP Registration Info

Types of Financial Aid in 2025

Aid amounts vary by situation:

 Emergency Assistance

• Program maintains an “Emergency Relief Fund” per BISP categorization
  
• Amounts vary by disaster:
  
  • PKR 25,000 per family was dispersed during 2022 floods, per official BISP announcements
    
  • Other emergency packages are event-specific payment exists in 2025 (Business Recorder)

Benazir Kafaalat

• Quarterly stipend: PKR 13,500 paid to eligible women (Pakistan observer)
  
  
• Disbursed via biometric-verified bank transfers or mobile wallets 

Payments are made via bank transfers or mobile wallets like EasyPaisa and HBL Konnect, with biometric verification.

Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Program (EUSP)

This scholarship helps bright students from low-income families attend public universities.

Eligibility:

• Enrolled in an HEC-recognized public university
  
• Monthly family income below Rs. 45,000
  
• Not receiving other scholarships
  

Benefits:

• Tuition fees covered fully
  
• Rs. 4,000 monthly stipend for expenses
  

Apply: Visit ehsaas.hec.gov.pk and submit required documents.

Source: hec gov pk

BISP/Ehsaas Disbursement Process

Once approved:

• Payments are made via HBL, Bank Alfalah, or mobile wallets like EasyPaisa/JazzCash
  
• Biometric verification (e.g. thumbprint) is mandatory at ATMs or camps
  
• Recipients get SMS updates detailing disbursement

Benazir Kafaalat and Linked Programs

Benazir Kafaalat is now integrated into Ehsaas and focuses on women’s financial support.

The quarterly stipend is Rs. 13,500, distributed after biometric verification. Eligible women get SMS updates or can check online.

Other related programs include:

• Benazir Taleemi Wazaif for children’s education
  
• Nashonuma for nutrition support to pregnant women and infants
  
• BISP Savings Scheme (upcoming)
  

Source: BISP June 2025 Payment Update

Quick Look: What You Get from the Ehsaas Program

Real Experience: A Story from the Ground

Let me tell you about Fatima, a mother of three from a small village in Sindh. When her husband passed away two years ago, Fatima was left as the sole provider. She had no steady income and struggled daily to feed her children and send them to school.

Fatima heard about the Ehsaas Program from a local community worker. She sent her CNIC number via SMS to 8171 and discovered she was eligible for the Benazir Kafalat stipend.

After registering offline at the nearest Ehsaas center, she started receiving Rs. 13,500 every quarter. This money helped her buy groceries, pay school fees, and cover basic health expenses for her kids. Fatima says, “Without Ehsaas, I don’t know how I would have managed. It gave me hope and strength.”

Real Story: Ali’s Dream Came True with Ehsaas Scholarship

Ali is a hardworking student from Multan. His father works long hours as a laborer, but the income was never enough to pay for Ali’s university education. Just when they were about to give up, someone told them about the Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship. Ali applied online and was selected. Now, his full university fees are covered, and he gets Rs. 4,000 every month to manage his expenses. “This program changed my life,” he says. “Now I can study without worrying about money.” 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid delays by:

1. Double-checking CNIC (errors block eligibility)
   
2. Carrying B-Form documents + proof of income when registering
   
3. Updating contact details to receive SMS notifications
   
4. Checking eligibility regularly—payment windows are often time-sensitive
   

FAQs

Can overseas Pakistanis apply?
No, only residents in Pakistan are eligible.

Is the HEC need-based scholarship active in 2025?
Yes, and you can apply via ehsaas.hec.gov.pk.

What is the latest stipend amount?
Rs. 13,500 quarterly for Benazir Kafaalat. Other payments vary by case.

Is the U.S. Lifeline program part of Ehsaas?
No. Be cautious of scams claiming otherwise.

Disclaimer

This information is for general awareness only. Always verify details through official sources like bisp.gov.pk. Do not share your CNIC or personal data on unofficial websites or with unknown individuals claiming to represent the Ehsaas or BISP programs.