Ehsaas Emergency Ration 8171 Registration Guide

If you live in Pakistan and your family struggles to buy basic rashan every month, you’ve probably heard about Ehsaas, BISP, or the 8171 SMS service.

Originally launched during the COVID-19 lockdown to support daily-wage workers and poor families, the Ehsaas Emergency Ration and Emergency Cash schemes used SMS 8171 to collect data and register deserving households. Over time, the name and structure of the programme changed, but 8171 is still the main government code for checking eligibility and registering for support under BISP 8171 and Ehsaas Rashan / Rashan Riayat today.

This guide is written in easy English for people in Pakistan of all ages. You can share it with your parents, neighbours, or anyone who wants simple, clear instructions.

We’ll cover:

• What Ehsaas Emergency Ration actually is today
• How the 8171 SMS service works
• Who can qualify as a poor or low-income family
• Step-by-step registration by SMS and online portal
• How Rashan Riayat / Ration and Emergency Cash are connected
• Common mistakes and how to avoid fraud

What Is Ehsaas Emergency Ration Today?

During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, the Government of Pakistan launched Ehsaas Emergency Cash and Ehsaas Emergency Ration schemes to support families who lost income due to closure of markets, factories, and daily-wage work. The programme was led by Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, under the Ehsaas umbrella.

At that time:

• Families could send their CNIC number to 8171
• Their information was checked through NADRA and the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER)
• Eligible households received cash assistance and, in many cases, subsidised ration

Over the last few years, the government has reorganised these schemes. Now:

• BISP (Benazir Income Support Programme) handles most cash transfers
• The 8171 web portal and SMS service are used to check eligibility and register for BISP 8171 / Ehsaas Kafalat / Emergency Cash
• Ehsaas Rashan / Ehsaas Rashan Riayat and Punjab Ehsaas Rashan programmes provide discounts or subsidies on basic ration like flour, sugar, oil, ghee, pulses, and rice via 8123 and 8171, especially in Punjab

So when we say “Ehsaas Emergency Ration (SMS service 8171)” in 2025, we are mainly talking about:

• Government ration or subsidy schemes under the Ehsaas / BISP umbrella
• Registration and eligibility checking via 8171 SMS and 8171 web portal
• Support for poor and low-income families, especially those hit by inflation, unemployment, or disasters

Why 8171 Is So Important

The number 8171 is not just a random SMS code. It is:

• The official government short code used across Pakistan for Ehsaas and BISP schemes
• A gateway to check your eligibility, register your family, and track payment status
• Connected to the official 8171 web portal, where you can enter your CNIC and see your status online

The government has repeatedly used 8171 to:

• Re-open registration for Ehsaas Rashan Riayat for families with income below a fixed limit (for example, below Rs 50,000/month in earlier phases)
• Inform poor households about Rashan Riayat and cash instalments (like Rs 13,500 under BISP 8171 Kafalat / Emergency Cash)

Bottom line:

If you are a poor or low-income family in Pakistan and want help from the government, 8171 is the main number you must know.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility For Poor Families

Exact eligibility changes from time to time, but the general target group is always the same:

• Poor and low-income families
• Daily-wage workers, labourers, and small shop workers
• Widows, divorced or separated women without stable income
• Disabled persons or families where the breadwinner cannot work
• Families with monthly income usually below Rs 50,000 (the limit can vary depending on the scheme and province)

For many Ehsaas Rashan Riayat schemes, the government uses a PMT score (Poverty Means Test):

• Families with PMT score 0–32 may get full subsidy on ration
• Families with 33–40 may get partial subsidy
• Families with PMT above 40 are usually not eligible for

Your PMT score is calculated from:

• Your family income
• Type of house (pukka / kacha)
• Number of dependents
• If anyone in the house works in government, etc.

You cannot manually change your PMT score, but keeping your data accurate in NADRA and NSER is very important.

Documents And Information You Need Before Registration

Before you start registration through SMS 8171 or the 8171 web portal, keep these ready:

• Valid CNIC
  • Must not be expired
  • Must be computerised and readable
• Mobile number
  • Preferably a SIM registered on your own CNIC
  • Makes verification easier and avoids blocking of messages
• Basic household details
  • Number of family members
  • Approximate total monthly income
  • Any special category: widow, disabled person, orphan children, etc.
• Address
  • Permanent address
  • District and tehsil

If you visit a BISP registration / dynamic NSER centre in your tehsil, they may also ask for a recent utility bill and details of school-going children.

How To Register Through SMS 8171 (Simple Step-By-Step)

Here is the most important part for many families: how to use SMS 8171 in easy steps.

Step 1 – Open SMS app

On any mobile phone (even a basic keypad set):

• Open the Messages / SMS option
• Select “Write Message / New Message”

Step 2 – Type your CNIC number

• Type your 13-digit CNIC number
• Do not use spaces or dashes
  • ✅ Correct: 3510112345678
  • ❌ Wrong: 35101-123456-78 or 35101 123 456 78

Step 3 – Send to 8171

• In the “To” field, type 8171
• Press Send

Step 4 – Wait for reply

You will receive a reply SMS from the official 8171 system. Depending on the current scheme, the message may tell you:

• You are eligible and will receive information about cash or ration assistance
• You are under verification and must wait
• You are not eligible according to the government’s poverty data
• You need to visit a nearby BISP registration centre or update your data in NADRA

If the network is busy, the reply can take time. Do not send repeated messages again and again. Wait a while, then try once more if you did not get any response at all.

How To Use The 8171 Web Portal (Online Check)

If you have a smartphone, computer, or can visit a shop with internet, you can also check your status through the 8171 web portal.

What the portal does

The official 8171 portal allows you to:

• Check family eligibility for BISP / Ehsaas schemes
• Confirm cash payment status (for example, Rs 13,500 installment)
• See whether your registration request is accepted or still under review

Basic steps (in simple words)

• Open the 8171 web portal in your browser (from your mobile or computer).
• On the main page, you will see a box asking for your CNIC number.
• Type your 13-digit CNIC without dashes.
• Enter the captcha code (letters or numbers shown in an image).
• Click the button to check eligibility / submit.
• Your status will appear on the screen:
  • Eligible
  • Not eligible
  • Under verification
  • Or instructions to visit a nearby office

Some newer guides also mention a BISP mobile app that lets you track your details through your CNIC and phone number.

Ehsaas Emergency Ration vs Ehsaas Rashan Riayat vs Emergency Cash

Because the names are similar, many people get confused. Let’s make it easy.

Ehsaas Emergency Ration (lockdown period)

• Started mainly during COVID-19 lockdown
• Aimed at families who lost income due to closure of work
• Combined with Ehsaas Emergency Cash payments
• Used SMS 8171 to register low-income families, especially those with income below Rs 50,000/month PID

Ehsaas Rashan / Rashan Riayat (current style)

• Focus is on monthly groceries (rashan)
• Gives discount / subsidy on items like:
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Oil / ghee
  • Pulses
  • Rice
• Uses 8123 (especially Punjab Ehsaas Rashan) and sometimes 8171 for registration and CNIC checking

BISP 8171 / Ehsaas Emergency Cash (current)

• Provides cash amounts like Rs 13,500 to eligible BISP / Ehsaas Kafalat families
• Uses 8171 SMS and the 8171 web portal to:
  • Check installment status
  • Confirm eligibility
  • Share payment dates and centers

All of these are parts of the same bigger social safety net. The names and governments may change, but the purpose remains the same: to support poor and vulnerable families in Pakistan.

What Help Do Families Actually Get?

Depending on which scheme you qualify for through 8171, your family may receive:

Cash assistance

• Regular or special cash installments (for example, Rs 13,500 in many recent BISP 8171 payouts)
• Payment through:
  • Bank branches
  • Biometric ATMs
  • Official payment centres and camps

Ration / Grocery subsidy

Under Ehsaas Rashan / Rashan Riayat programmes:

• Discounts up to 30–40% on basic grocery items
• In some phases, fixed monthly subsidy amounts (like Rs 4,500 per month for very poor families) credited as discount limit in the system

You can purchase items from registered utility stores or partner Kiryana shops. At the counter:

• Your CNIC is checked in the Rashan system
• Discount is applied automatically on eligible items

Common Problems And Their Solutions

Even genuine poor families sometimes face issues. Here are the most common problems and what you can do.

Problem 1 – “Not Eligible” message, but we are very poor

Possible reasons:

• Your PMT score is above the cut-off
• Your data in NADRA / NSER is outdated
• Government has limited quotas in your area

What you can do:

• Make sure your NADRA records are correct (family members, marital status, address)
• Visit your nearest BISP / Ehsaas registration or NSER centre and request re-survey / dynamic registration if available in your tehsil
• Keep your mobile number active for future phases; eligibility is sometimes updated later

Problem 2 – No reply from 8171

• Check you sent the SMS to 8171 and not to a wrong number
• Make sure your SIM is active and has enough balance for a single SMS
• Network might be busy during rush hours; try after some time
• Restart your phone and try again with correct CNIC format

Problem 3 – Payment message received, but money not showing

For BISP / Ehsaas cash payments:

• Make sure you are visiting an official payment centre, partner bank, or authorised retailer
• Carry:
  • Your original CNIC
  • The SMS from 8171 if you have it
• Remember that biometric verification is usually required

If the problem continues:

• Contact the BISP helpline or visit the nearest BISP office with your CNIC and SMS proof.

How To Protect Yourself From Fraud

Because 8171 is famous, many scammers try to cheat people using the same number in fake messages.

Here’s how to stay safe:

• Official messages only come from 8171, not from random mobile numbers.
• Government programmes never ask you to send money to receive assistance.
• Ignore any message that:
  • Asks for your ATM PIN or bank password
  • Tells you to call a personal mobile number to “confirm” your prize
• For any doubt, use the official 8171 web portal or visit a BISP office instead of trusting WhatsApp forwards or Facebook posts.

Simple FAQ – Quick Answers For Your Family

Q1: Is Ehsaas Emergency Ration still available like during Corona?
Today, the name “Emergency Ration” is less used, but its spirit continues through Ehsaas Rashan Riayat, Ehsaas Rashan Punjab, and BISP 8171 cash / food support programmes. All of these still use the 8171 system to reach poor families.

Q2: How do I register my poor family using 8171?
Type your 13-digit CNIC (no dashes) in an SMS and send it to 8171. Wait for the official reply. You can also use the 8171 web portal to check eligibility online with CNIC and captcha.

Q3: Can I apply if my income is slightly more than Rs 50,000?
Earlier press releases and recent Rashan updates mostly target families with monthly income below around Rs 50,000, but exact limits can change with time and government policy. You can still send your CNIC to 8171; the system will decide based on your PMT score and NSER data.

Q4: What if my CNIC is expired?
You should renew your CNIC from NADRA as soon as possible. An expired CNIC can cause issues in registration, verification, and payment.

Q5: I live in a village and don’t have internet. Can I still get help?
Yes. The 8171 SMS service is designed especially for people without internet access. Just use any mobile phone and send your CNIC to 8171.

So What Your Family Should Do Now ?

Here’s the bottom line:

• 8171 is still the main official code for poor families in Pakistan to connect with Ehsaas / BISP support programmes.
• Whether the scheme is called Ehsaas Emergency Ration, Ehsaas Rashan Riayat, or BISP 8171 cash, the goal is the same: help families who cannot afford basic needs due to poverty, inflation, or crisis.

If your family is struggling:

• Send your CNIC to 8171 from a SIM in your own name.
• Check your status on the 8171 web portal when possible.
• Keep your NADRA information updated and visit BISP / Ehsaas centres when called.
• Never share personal data with unknown people or send money to anyone claiming to “release” your payment.

Share this guide with your relatives, neighbours, or domestic workers. A single SMS to 8171 can be the first step toward regular cash support or cheaper monthly rashan for a deserving family in Pakistan.

Sameer Ahmad

HI! I am Sameer Ahmad, A well ranked Multi Niche Blogger and SEO expert. I love all kind of knowledge that People love.