How to update the Sisbén survey step by step

El año pasado, una madre de Itagüí nos escribió porque le habían negado un subsidio de vivienda. Llevaba meses esperando. El problema no era ella ni su solicitud: su ficha del Sisbén seguía diciendo que vivían cinco personas en la casa, cuando ya eran siete. Había nacido un bebé y su hermano se había mudado con ellos. Nadie le había avisado que ese dato, tan pequeño en apariencia, le estaba cerrando la puerta. Por eso insistimos en actualizar el Sisbén apenas cambia algo en tu casa.

If you're in a similar situation, here's the first thing you need to know: update the Sisbén survey no necesitás pagarle a nadie. El trámite es gratuito y lo hacés vos mismo, ya sea por la Ventanilla Social del DNP o yendo a la oficina del Sisbén de tu alcaldía. Acá te explicamos paso a paso cuándo hacerlo, qué papeles llevar y cuánto puede tardar, con la información que verificamos en los canales oficiales en octubre de 2026.

Information guide. The procedure is handled by the official entity. Always verify through the official channel. Hepacom does not charge or process payments.

When is the best time to update your Sisbén survey?

The rule of thumb is simple: every time something significant changes in your home, that change should be recorded. The Sisbén system classifies families according to their living conditions, and if the system's data is outdated, social programs will make decisions based on inaccurate information.

It is advisable to report any of the following:

• A child was born or a new member arrived in the home.
• Someone who was on the list has died.
• You moved house, neighborhood, or municipality.
• Someone started working or, conversely, lost their job.
• The type of identity document of some members changed.
• The household was divided or joined with another.

Hay una diferencia que vale la pena entender. Reportar una novedad puntual (un nacimiento, una muerte, un cambio de dirección) suele resolverse como una corrección de tus datos, en línea o en la oficina del Sisbén. Pero si lo que cambió es tu situación económica de fondo (perdiste el ingreso principal, la casa se deterioró, cambió quién aporta la plata) ahí ya no alcanza con corregir un dato: te corresponde pedir una new survey, And that means a pollster will come to your home. We explain this further below.

How do I request the update: through the portal or at the mayor's office?

You have two official routes, and both are free.

Por internet, desde la Ventanilla Social del DNP. El antiguo Portal Ciudadano del Sisbén hoy redirige a ventanillasocial.dnp.gov.co. Ahí te registrás, consultás tu clasificación y los datos de tu hogar, y podés pedir la corrección de lo que esté mal. Sirve para cambios concretos y te ahorra la fila. Lo que el canal en línea no resuelve es una modificación grande de tu situación económica; para eso sigue siendo necesaria la encuesta presencial.

In person, at the Sisbén office in your municipality. If you don't have internet access, if the change is significant, or if you simply prefer someone to guide you, go to the Sisbén office at your local mayor's office. In cities like Medellín, the process requires an appointment and is handled at the administration's service points. Bring your documents, explain the change to the official, and they will tell you whether you need to correct your record or schedule an appointment.

¿Cómo actualizar el Sisbén en línea?

Hoy el canal en línea oficial es la DNP Social Window, adonde ya redirige el antiguo Portal Ciudadano. Ahí consultás tu clasificación y tus datos y pedís que corrijan lo que esté mal. La encuesta nueva o la actualización por inconformidad se piden en la oficina del Sisbén de tu municipio.

1. Entrá a la Ventanilla Social, registrate con un correo al que tengas acceso y activá la cuenta con el enlace que te llega.
2. Iniciá sesión con tu contraseña y el código que te mandan al correo.
3. En «Consulta Mi RUI» revisá tu clasificación y los datos de tu hogar.
4. Si algo quedó viejo, pedí la corrección. Si el cambio es de fondo, sacá cita en la oficina del Sisbén para la encuesta.

Dos avisos. El DNP reconoció que la plataforma puede andar lenta por la cantidad de visitas; probá temprano o de noche. Y en Medellín, la ficha del trámite de la Alcaldía dice hoy que no se puede hacer virtual por mantenimiento: toca ir en persona, con cita.

¿Tengo que actualizar el Sisbén ahora que existe el RUI?

No de inmediato. Con la llegada del Registro Universal de Ingresos (RUI), el DNP aclaró que «no se requiere ninguna acción inmediata» de los hogares. Lo que sí conviene es lo de siempre: reportar los cambios reales de tu hogar. Según el DNP:

• El RUI empezó a operar como instrumento de focalización el 1 de agosto de 2026, por el Decreto 662 de 2026.
• Si ya estabas en el Sisbén al 31 de julio de 2026, la transición hacia el RUI va hasta el 31 de octubre de 2026.
• El Sisbén no desaparece: lo que tu familia ya respondió en la encuesta sigue valiendo, y el RUI lo cruza con registros como los de la Registraduría, la DIAN y la PILA.
• La actualización será gradual y la alcaldía le va a informar a cada hogar los pasos a seguir.
• Cada programa social publica su propio esquema de transición: preguntale a la entidad que te da el subsidio.

El detalle está en el comunicado del DNP. Para ver cómo quedaste clasificado, mirá nuestra guía de RUI query.

What documents do you need to bring?

It's best to have everything ready so you don't have to turn back. Depending on the official procedure, you'll need:

• Identity document of the person who heads the household.
• Documents for all members: ID card for adults, identity card for those between 7 and 17 years old, and civil registry for those under 7.
• If there are foreign members, the passport, the foreigner's identity card or the Temporary Protection Permit (PPT) as applicable.
• The supporting documentation for the change you are reporting: birth certificate, death certificate, or the document that proves the change.
• In some municipalities they may ask you for a recent utility bill.

A word of advice from those of us who work with families all the time: bring legible photocopies and, if possible, the originals too. A blurry copy is the most ridiculous reason why a document might be returned.

How long does the visit take and what does the surveyor check?

When you request a new survey because your score no longer reflects your current living situation, the municipality schedules a visit to your home. A surveyor arrives, asks the questions, and records the information as it exists today: how many people live there, who works and who doesn't, income, and the condition of the home (floors, walls, access to services).

There isn't a fixed time that works for the entire country, because each municipality manages its own schedule of pollsters. What is defined, however, is the processing time: in Medellín, for example, the update process has an official deadline of up to 30 business days. In other municipalities the timeframe may vary, so it's best to ask at your local office how long the visit takes and when the change will be reflected in your record.

One important thing about the pollster: they will never ask you for money. Their job is simply to gather information. If someone charges you "to raise your score" or "to expedite the visit," it's a scam.

Is it true that updating your Sisbén is free?

Yes. And we want you to remember this, because many people are taking advantage of this situation. All Sisbén procedures are free and without intermediaries. No person, private office, or "facilitator" is authorized to charge you for updating your information, completing the survey, or checking your score.

No one can guarantee you a specific Sisbén group in exchange for payment, because the classification is calculated by the system using your real data, not by a person. If you want to understand how that number is calculated, our guide on [topic missing] might be helpful. the Sisbén score and how they are interpreted Sisbén groups for subsidies.

What if I upgrade and they still deny me a benefit?

It happens, and it's not always your fault. Sometimes the change hasn't yet been reflected in the database, sometimes a document was missing, and sometimes the program you applied to has its own requirements in addition to the Sisbén. Before getting frustrated, check if the update has been recorded in your file and the specific reason for your rejection. We've compiled the most common cases in this article about Why was my grant application rejected?, which helps you identify where the fault was.

How to update the Sisbén survey, step by step

Actualizar la ficha del Sisbén sirve para que tu clasificación refleje la situación real de tu hogar, sobre todo si cambiaron tus ingresos, tu vivienda o quién vive contigo. El trámite es gratuito y oficial. Esta es la ruta general; los pasos exactos pueden variar según tu municipio, así que confirmá en la Ventanilla Social del DNP o en tu alcaldía.

General guidelines. The exact procedure is defined by Sisbén and your municipality.

Common mistakes when updating the Sisbén

• Pay for the procedure: Updating the survey is free; no official charges you for doing so.
• Providing inaccurate data to improve the group: False information may invalidate your registration.
• Not reporting important changes: An outdated profile can leave you out of benefits you are entitled to.

Frequently asked questions about updating the Sisbén survey

Can I update my Sisbén online without going to the office?

En muchos casos sí. Para novedades puntuales como un nacimiento, una defunción o un cambio de dirección, la Ventanilla Social del DNP te permite consultar tus datos y pedir la corrección sin moverte de casa. Ojo: algunos municipios, como Medellín, hoy atienden este trámite solo en persona. Si cambió tu situación económica de fondo, ahí sí necesitás la encuesta presencial.

How often should I update my Sisbén record?

There is no mandatory date on the calendar. The official recommendation is to report any changes that occur in your home to keep your rating up to date.

Is there a cost for the surveyor's visit?

No. The visit is completely free. The surveyor is only collecting information; if anyone asks you for money during or before the visit, it's a scam and you should report it.

Does updating my information raise or lower my score?

It depends on what changed. The system recalculates your ranking with the new information, and it may go up or down depending on your actual situation. It's not something you can "request" to change.

Where can I find official Sisbén information?

In the Ventanilla Social del Departamento Nacional de Planeación (DNP), que hoy reemplaza al antiguo Portal Ciudadano, y en el sitio del DNP. Any information regarding your specific case should be confirmed at the Sisbén office in your municipality.

This guide is part of our Complete guide to state aid and subsidies in Colombia, where we organize all the programs in one place.

How Hepacom accompanies you

At the Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation, we work to help low-income families access decent housing. And we've learned something along the way: often, the dream of homeownership is thwarted by an administrative detail, such as an outdated Sisbén form that rejects an application.

That's why we guide you to ensure your paperwork is in order before applying for a housing program. We don't handle the application process for you (that's done by the official agency), but we do help you understand what they require, why it matters, and how to avoid losing an opportunity due to outdated information. If you'd like to learn more about subsidies and housing, visit [website address]. our blog.

Última actualización: octubre de 2026.