Eligibility Criteria for the Ehsaas Program: Ensuring Fair Distribution in October 2024

The Ehsaas Program, one of Pakistan’s largest social protection initiatives, has continuously refined its eligibility criteria to target and assist the country’s most vulnerable populations. In October 2024, the government reiterated the importance of these criteria, ensuring that the funds reach the families and individuals most in need. This section explores the current eligibility criteria, their significance, and the challenges in maintaining an efficient and equitable distribution of benefits.

The Importance of Well-Defined Eligibility Criteria

Effective social protection programs rely on well-defined eligibility criteria to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently. Given Pakistan’s limited fiscal resources and the large number of families living below the poverty line, it is crucial to have a system in place that prevents leakage of funds to ineligible recipients while ensuring that no deserving person is excluded.

The eligibility criteria for the Ehsaas Program reflect the government’s commitment to fairness and transparency, relying on a data-driven approach to identify those in greatest need. A key focus is on low-income families, women, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities, who are often most vulnerable to economic shocks.

In the context of rising inflation and an economic slowdown, these criteria have become even more critical. By keeping the distribution of benefits tightly linked to an applicant’s poverty score, income, and family circumstances, the government seeks to prevent misuse and ensure that limited resources are used for maximum impact​​.

Poverty Score: The Core Criterion

At the heart of the eligibility process is the poverty score, which is calculated through the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER). The poverty score is a composite index based on various socio-economic indicators, including household size, income, access to basic utilities, and ownership of assets.

To qualify for the Ehsaas Program, applicants must have a poverty score of less than 40. This threshold was established to target those living below or just above the poverty line, ensuring that financial assistance reaches the most deprived segments of society. The poverty score is designed to be objective and data-driven, helping to minimize the potential for bias in the selection process​.

The NSER, which provides the basis for calculating poverty scores, was updated in recent years to improve accuracy and coverage. It now includes detailed data on millions of households across Pakistan, enabling the government to identify those most in need of assistance. The dynamic nature of the NSER means that the poverty score can be regularly updated to reflect changes in an applicant’s circumstances, such as job loss, medical expenses, or changes in family composition.

Income Thresholds and Financial Hardship

Another essential criterion for eligibility in the Ehsaas Program is the household income limit. As of October 2024, applicants must have a monthly household income below 20,000 PKR to qualify. This income threshold is designed to target families who are struggling to meet their basic needs in the face of rising prices and economic instability​.

The income verification process requires applicants to provide proof of income, such as salary slips, bank statements, or, in the case of informal sector workers, self-reported income statements. While this can pose a challenge for individuals working in the informal economy, the Ehsaas Program has introduced alternative methods of verifying income to accommodate these workers, including community-based assessments and surveys.

This income-based eligibility criterion is particularly important in ensuring that the program does not inadvertently support families with sufficient means. By focusing on low-income households, the program prioritizes those most affected by inflation, job loss, and other economic pressures, helping to alleviate poverty in a targeted and meaningful way.

Special Considerations: Supporting the Most Vulnerable Groups

In addition to the poverty score and income thresholds, the Ehsaas Program has established special considerations for particularly vulnerable groups. These include:

1. Widows and Female-Headed Households: Widows, single mothers, and other female-headed households are often at a disadvantage due to social and economic barriers. The program gives special consideration to these applicants, recognizing that women in these situations are more likely to experience poverty and food insecurity​

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• People with Disabilities: Recognizing the additional hardships faced by people with disabilities, the Ehsaas Program provides priority assistance through initiatives like the Himmat Card, which offers direct financial aid and support services. Disabled individuals who meet the income and poverty criteria are fast-tracked for assistance to help cover healthcare costs and other needs​

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• Elderly Individuals: The elderly, particularly those living alone or without family support, are a key focus of the Ehsaas Program. Elderly individuals who do not have a stable source of income or support are prioritized, ensuring that they receive financial assistance for their daily expenses, healthcare, and other necessities.

By tailoring the program to address the unique challenges faced by these groups, the Ehsaas Program enhances its impact, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society are not left behind.

Verification Processes: Ensuring Integrity and Transparency

A critical component of maintaining fairness and transparency in the Ehsaas Program is the verification process. To prevent fraud and ensure that only eligible applicants receive assistance, the program relies on a combination of data verification and on-the-ground surveys.

The National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) is the primary tool used to verify the poverty status of applicants. The NSER is continually updated through dynamic surveys, allowing the government to reassess the economic status of households periodically. This helps to ensure that individuals whose financial situation improves over time are removed from the program, while those who experience new hardships can be added​.

Additionally, the Ehsaas Program uses biometric verification for payment disbursement, ensuring that payments are only made to the rightful recipients. This technology minimizes the risk of fraud, particularly in cases where individuals might attempt to collect payments on behalf of others. By linking payments to biometric data, the program enhances accountability and transparency​.

Challenges in Ensuring Fairness and Accessibility

While the Ehsaas Program’s eligibility criteria are designed to ensure fair distribution of resources, several challenges remain. One of the primary issues is ensuring that all eligible individuals, particularly those in remote areas, are able to register and receive assistance.

Digital literacy and access to technology are significant barriers for some applicants, especially those in rural areas or with limited access to the internet. While the online registration system has simplified the application process for many, there are still areas where access to digital services is limited. The government has taken steps to address this by setting up local offices and mobile registration centers, but challenges persist in ensuring that no eligible individual is left out due to technological barriers​.

Another challenge is updating the NSER database to reflect changes in household circumstances. As economic conditions fluctuate, households may fall into or rise out of poverty. It is essential that the database remains up to date to ensure that the right individuals continue to receive assistance. The government is working to improve the frequency and accuracy of NSER updates, but this remains an ongoing challenge.

Finally, the program must continue to ensure that corruption and mismanagement are minimized. While the use of biometric verification and data-driven poverty scoring has reduced fraud, there is still a need for vigilant oversight to ensure that funds are not diverted or misused at the local level.

Conclusion

The eligibility criteria for the Ehsaas Program have been carefully designed to ensure that financial assistance reaches those most in need. By focusing on poverty scores, income thresholds, and the unique vulnerabilities of specific groups such as widows, disabled individuals, and the elderly, the program has established a comprehensive and equitable approach to poverty alleviation.

However, challenges remain in ensuring that the eligibility process is accessible to all eligible individuals and that the system remains transparent and free from corruption. As the program continues to evolve, ongoing efforts to refine and improve the eligibility criteria will be critical to ensuring its long-term success in reducing poverty and improving the lives of Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations.