The Family Card is a smart card issued by the government for selected low-income families, which entitles them to 2 types of benefits:
Cash Aid: Tk 2,000-2,500 per month directly transferred to the female head of household through bKash, Nagad or a bank account through the Government-to-Person (G2P) digital payment system.
Commodity Aid: Access to basic food items (rice, lentils, oil, sugar) at up to 50% below market price through TCB(Trading Corporation of Bangladesh) outlets.
Cards are issued in the name of the mother or female head of household to promote women’s financial empowerment.
Who can take part? (Standards of 2026)
The program is for three groups: ultra-poor, poor andlower middle-income families. Eligibility is based on PMT scores, a scientifically validated, field-tested poverty measure.
You probably qualify if:
- You do not have a stable high income in your household
- Families in rural areas own up to 0.50 acres of homestead and agricultural land
- You are a landless household/homeless
- You are a divorced, female-headed household or a widow
- You have a disabled relative
- You come from marginalised communities (including Bede, Hijra or small ethnic groups)
You will be automatically disqualified if:
- A regular government employee, pensioner or recipient of an allowance from a state institution is any household member
- A car or an air conditioner is owned by a household
- You have a commercial license or run a large enterprise
- You have savings certificates of Tk 5 lakh or more
- There is already a Family Card for another household member (strict One Household, One Card rule)
- You are already a beneficiary of other major programmes like the VGD allowance Programmes
Documents Required
Collect these before applying
- NID Card (Original & 2 Attested Photocopies)
- 2 recent passport-size colour photographs
- Active mobile number (for SMS alerts and payment)
- Proof of local residency – electricity bill, tax certificate or income/character certificate signed by your Union Parishad Chairman or Ward Councillor.
- Birth Certificate (if NID is not available)
- NID associated with the bKash or Nagad mobile banking account details
Fill the application form with your name exactly as it appears on your NID. Delays occur due to mismatches.
Step-by-Step Registration
Step 1 – Check Your Area Status
The pilot phase (March-June 2026) involves 14 selected wards and upazilas, including areas in Dhaka, Madaripur (Shibchar) and Bogura. You can visit familycard.gov.bd or contact your local Union Parishad office to see if your area is currently covered.
Step 2 – Download Application Form.
Go to your Union Parishad office (rural) or City Corporation Ward office (urban). You can obtain the official Family Card application form from your local Member or Councillor. Use only forms from official sources.
Step 3 – Fill-up the Form Carefully
Fill in all the fields correctly – name, NID number, household income, land ownership, number of dependents and mobile number. All details are double checked against government databases.
Step 4 – Submit with Documentation
Fill the form and submit it with NID copies, photos, proof of residence and mobile wallet details at the same office.
Step 5 – Field Verification
DSS field staff will also conduct a visit to your household to verify the information you provide. Then your household is put into an economic category based on the PMT scoring.
6. Online Portal (Coming Soon)
The government is working on a national online application portal at familycard.gov.bd that will allow you to register directly using your NID number. Until nationwide rollout, the Union Parishad and Ward office are the main registration points.
Step 7 – Get Your Smart Card & Payment
Approved applicants are issued a digital smart Family Card with a QR code. Then, Tk 2,500 is directly deposited into your registered bKash, Nagad or bank account every month – no middlemen.
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How to Check Your Application Status
Visit familycard.gov.bd and type in your NID or registered mobile number in the citizen search section.
Or check the beneficiary list posted on the notice board of your local Union Parishad or City Corporation.
Upon approval, an SMS notification will be sent to your registered number.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Launch Date | March 10, 2026 |
| Monthly Benefit | Tk 2,500 (cash) + subsidised goods |
| Pilot Target | 40,000 families by June 2026 |
| Card Issued To | Female head of household |
| Selection Method | PMT (Proxy Means Test) scoring |
| Payment Channel | bKash / Nagad / Bank (G2P) |
| Official Portal | familycard.gov.bd |
The Family Card programme is Bangladesh’s most data-driven social support scheme yet. If your household falls in the eligible income bracket, prepare your documents now and register at your nearest Union Parishad without delay — beneficiary slots in each phase are limited.
Summary
Bangladesh’s new Family Card programme is one of the largest social safety net initiatives in the country’s history, providing eligible low-income households with Tk 2,500 a month in direct cash support plus subsidised essential goods. The programme officially launched on 10 March 2026 and is operated by the Social Welfare Ministry, which uses a digital PMT (Proxy Means Test) score to select beneficiaries fairly and transparently. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand if you qualify, what documents are required, and how to register.
