What is Your Survey Score or PMT Score in BISP, and How Does the Government Calculate It?

PMT Score The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is one of Pakistan’s largest social welfare programs, aimed at providing financial assistance to low-income households across the country. To ensure that the right people benefit from the program, the government uses a system called the Proxy Means Test (PMT) score, also known as the Survey Score. This score helps identify households in need by evaluating their poverty level based on various factors.

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What is the PMT Score?

The PMT score is a number assigned to households based on their socio-economic conditions. It is calculated by gathering detailed information about the household during a survey conducted by the BISP survey officers. The score helps the government decide which households are eligible to receive Payment through the BISP program.

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This score essentially reflects the poverty level of a family. The lower the score, the poorer the household, and vice versa. The score ranges from 1 to 100, where a score of 1 represents extreme poverty and 100 reflects relative wealth. For example, a family with no stable income and living in a small, underdeveloped home would have a lower score, while a family with multiple assets, such as cars and a well-furnished house, would score higher.

Importance of the PMT Score in BISP

The PMT score is crucial because it directly determines whether a household qualifies for BISP benefits. Currently, households with a PMT score between 1 and 32 are considered eligible for financial aid. This system ensures that assistance reaches the neediest families in Pakistan, helping to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions for low-income citizens.

In the past, the eligibility criteria were stricter, with only households scoring between 1 and 16.17 qualifying for aid. However, in 2019, the government adjusted the threshold to 1 to 32 due to an increase in the budget and the rising need for support. This change expanded the number of families eligible to receive aid.

How is the PMT Score Calculated?

The PMT score is calculated using information collected during a detailed household survey. The survey typically consists of 60 questions that cover various aspects of the family’s socioeconomic status. Some key areas that affect the PMT score include:

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Household Size: The number of family members living in the house.
Income: The total income of all household members, whether from jobs, businesses, or other sources.
Education: The educational background of family members, including the highest level of education achieved.
Employment Status: Whether the household members are employed, unemployed, or self-employed.
Housing Conditions: Information about the type of house (e.g., rented or owned, small or large) and the condition of the house (well-maintained or poorly maintained).
Assets: Details about household assets, such as whether the family owns vehicles, livestock, land, or any other significant assets.
Basic Amenities: Availability of utilities such as electricity, gas, and access to clean drinking water.

Each answer is assigned a specific score based on a predetermined range of 1 to 100 points. For example, a family living in a modest home with limited income will receive a lower score. On the other hand, a family with a large, well-furnished house and high income will receive a higher score.

The scoring is entirely computerized to avoid errors or biases. Once the survey is completed, the PMT algorithm processes all the information and calculates the final score for the household.

Data Collection Process for PMT

The data for calculating the PMT score is collected through door-to-door surveys conducted by trained BISP survey officers. These officers visit households, ask the required questions, and record the responses. The information collected during these surveys is stored in the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER), a central database that holds data on millions of households across Pakistan.

This registry is regularly updated to reflect changes in a household’s situation, ensuring that the PMT score remains accurate over time. For instance, if a family’s financial condition improves, their PMT score may rise, making them ineligible for BISP benefits.

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PMT Score Range and Eligibility Criteria

The PMT score is divided into different ranges that indicate the economic status of a household. Here’s how the score is generally interpreted:

1 to 32: Households in this range are considered eligible for BISP financial aid. These families are typically the poorest, with limited or no sources of stable income.
33 to 100: Households in this range are considered ineligible for BISP. These families are generally better off and have sufficient resources or assets.

The government sets the eligibility threshold based on the available budget and the number of households in need of support. As mentioned earlier, the score threshold has changed over time, reflecting adjustments in the government’s poverty alleviation strategy.

How to Check Your PMT Score

To check your PMT score, you can use the following methods:

Online: Visit the official BISP website or NSER portal, where you can enter your CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) number to view your score.
SMS Service: BISP also provides an SMS service where you can send your CNIC number to a designated number and receive your PMT score.
BISP Offices: You can also visit your nearest BISP office to inquire about your score and eligibility status.

Impact of the PMT Score on Benefits

Your PMT score directly impacts the type and amount of BISP benefits you receive. Households with a lower PMT score (closer to 1) are considered in extreme poverty and may receive higher or more frequent financial assistance. On the other hand, households closer to the threshold score of 32 may receive a smaller amount or less frequent support.

The PMT score also determines whether a household qualifies for other government welfare programs or subsidies, making it a key measure in Pakistan’s social safety net system.

PMT System How Work In BISP

While the PMT system is designed to be fair and efficient, it has faced some challenges and criticisms:

Data Accuracy: Some households claim that the survey data does not always accurately reflect their financial situation, leading to either unfair exclusion or inclusion in the program.
Exclusion Errors: In some cases, deserving families may be left out due to errors in data collection or scoring.
Inclusion of Non-Eligible Households: There have been reports of wealthier households somehow qualifying for the program, which undermines the fairness of the system.

To address these issues, the government continues to update and refine the PMT process, ensuring that only the most deserving families benefit from BISP.

Conclusion

The PMT score plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). By collecting detailed information about household income, assets, and living conditions, the government uses this score to assess the poverty level of families and provide financial assistance where it’s needed most. With an eligibility threshold of 1 to 32, the PMT score helps ensure that the poorest households in Pakistan receive support to improve their living conditions.

As the government continues to refine the PMT system and increase its budget, more families may benefit from the program, making it an essential tool in the fight against poverty. If you believe you may qualify for BISP, check your PMT score through the available online and offline methods to see if you’re eligible for assistance.