Can Married Women Be Ineligible Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) 8171 is a lifeline for many low-income families across Pakistan. It provides financial support to those who qualify under the government’s poverty criteria. But here’s a question many women are asking:
“Can a married woman be marked ineligible for BISP?”
The simple answer is: Yes and it’s more common than you think.
Let’s break down exactly why this happens, how you can check your status, and what steps you need to take if you’re unfairly marked as “ineligible” or “under verification.”
Why Are Some Married Women Marked Ineligible?
Many women are genuinely eligible for the BISP program, but their applications are rejected due to errors in personal information especially their marital status.
Here’s what usually goes wrong:
- NADRA records still show the woman as “unmarried”, even after marriage
- The BISP dynamic survey incorrectly records the same
- The husband’s CNIC is not linked to the woman’s profile
- Family size is shown incorrectly
- PMT (poverty score) is affected due to incomplete or incorrect data
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These issues result in the woman being listed as ineligible or stuck under verification, even if she comes from a poor household.
How NADRA Data Affects BISP Eligibility
When you apply for BISP, your details are verified using NADRA’s database. This includes:
- ✅ Marital status
- ✅ Spouse’s CNIC and family linkage
- ✅ Number of family members in the household
If your NADRA record still shows you as “single”, then:
- You are not counted as part of your husband’s household
- Your family’s income may appear higher than it actually is
- Your PMT score may be calculated incorrectly
- You may not appear as the head of household or as a dependent both of which can affect eligibility
Common Reasons Married Women Are Disqualified
Let’s look at the most frequent issues that result in disqualification:
| Problem | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| CNIC not updated after marriage | The woman’s marital status stays as “unmarried” in NADRA |
| Spouse not linked | Husband’s CNIC is not associated with the woman’s family data |
| BISP survey errors | The survey team marks the woman incorrectly or skips key data |
| Wrong household size | Missing or unlinked family members reduce total household count |
| Low PMT score ignored | Even with a low poverty score, wrong family info can override it |
Why PMT Score Alone Is Not Enough
Most people believe that if they’re poor and have a low PMT score, they’ll qualify automatically. But that’s not always true.
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If your family structure is incomplete or your spouse isn’t linked, your PMT score won’t reflect your actual financial condition. That’s why correct marital and family data is just as important as income level.
Step-by-Step: How Married Women Can Fix BISP Ineligibility
If you’re a married woman marked as ineligible for BISP, here’s what you should do:
✅ Step 1: Visit Your Nearest NADRA Office
- Ask for a check on your marital status
- If your CNIC says “single,” request an immediate update to “married”
- Make sure your husband’s CNIC is linked to your family data
✅ Step 2: Go to Your Nearest BISP Tehsil Office
- Inform the staff that your NADRA record has been updated
- Ask them to review and correct your survey data
- Specifically check if you’re marked as unmarried or if your household size is wrong
✅ Step 3: Bring the Right Documents
Make sure you carry:
- Updated CNIC (yours and your husband’s)
- Marriage certificate (if available)
- Your BISP survey receipt or token (if already registered)
✅ Step 4: Follow Up on Your Application
After corrections are made:
- Visit the 8171 web portal to check your status
- You may also receive an SMS confirmation if your eligibility is approved
Real-Life Example
Ayesha from Multan applied for BISP but was marked ineligible despite having no income. After visiting NADRA, she found her marital status was still listed as “single.” Once she updated her record and visited the BISP office to correct her survey data, she was finally approved within two weeks.
You can also read: BISP 8171 Online Registration Process Check Complete Latest Update (July 2025)
FAQs
Q1: I’m married, but my CNIC still says ‘single’. What should I do?
Visit NADRA and update your marital status immediately.
Q2: NADRA says I’m married, but BISP says ‘unmarried’. What now?
Go to the BISP Tehsil office and ask for a correction in your survey data.
Q3: Can I fix this online?
No. Both NADRA and BISP require you to visit their offices in person.
Q4: What documents do I need to carry?
CNICs (your and your spouse’s), marriage certificate, and BISP survey token or receipt.
Q5: My PMT score is low. Why am I still ineligible?
👉 Your family data may be incomplete or incorrect. Low income alone is not enough.
Final Advice: Double-Check Before You Apply
If you’re a married woman applying for BISP 8171 or waiting for approval:
- First, check your NADRA record
- Make sure your marital status and spouse data are correct
- Visit the BISP office to correct any survey errors
- Don’t assume you’re ineligible until you’ve verified everything
Correcting small mistakes can open the door to receiving the support you deserve.
You can also read: BISP Payments Reopen for All Women Who Missed Last Installment
📢 Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with BISP or any government body. For official updates, always visit the official BISP website.