How to legally move up a group in the Sisbén system (without tricks or scams)

Last updated: June 2026.

Many people come to the foundation with the same question and almost the same phrase: "I saw in a video that there's a way to move up a social group in the Sisbén system." Sometimes they say it with hope, sometimes they've already paid and nothing happened. It's worth pausing there for a second, because behind that idea there's almost always a misunderstanding that could cost you dearly.

So how do you move up a group in the Sisbén system?

The honest answer is that there's no trick to "move up a Sisbén group." Your group isn't a number someone manipulates in your favor; it reflects your household's actual circumstances. The only legitimate way for it to change is to update the survey when your situation has truly changed. If your reality has worsened—you lost your job, more people have come into your care, your housing is in worse condition—and this is recorded in a new survey, your classification can move to a higher priority group. Not because you pulled a fast one, but because the system recognized your current situation.

The Sisbén system categorizes households into four groups (A, B, C, and D) based on their income generation capacity and living conditions. Group A includes households in extreme poverty, while Group D includes those considered neither poor nor vulnerable. Your group placement isn't determined by a local official or a "facilitator," but rather by the National Planning Department (DNP), using technical criteria and based on your survey data. If you'd like to better understand this logic, we explain it in detail in our guide on [topic missing]. the Sisbén score.

What changes in your life can actually move your group?

When we talk about updating, we're talking about specific things that have happened in your home. These are the ones we see most often:

• You lost your job or your income dropped significantly and permanently.
• New people have come into your care: a child, an elderly person, a relative who now depends on you.
• Your home deteriorated, or you moved to a place with worse conditions (no running water, dirt floor, overcrowding).
• Someone in the household got sick and that changed the household's finances.
• You separated and the household was left with only one income.

Notice that all of these are verifiable facts. The survey doesn't ask which group you want; it asks about your current situation. Therefore, updating your information isn't "asking to be downgraded": it's about sharing your current circumstances. We've included the complete step-by-step instructions in the guide. How to update the Sisbén survey.

Why does giving false information end up getting you kicked out of the system?

Here's the point that almost no one tells you before it's too late. Declaring something that isn't true (making up that you're unemployed, hiding assets, saying that people live in the house who don't) is fraud. The National Planning Department (DNP) cross-references the information from your survey with records from health, education, the civil registry, immigration, and other entities. When the data doesn't match up, you not only won't be included in the program, but you could also be flagged for inconsistency and lose access to the programs you actually need.

We've seen it happen. A family that lied to "secure" a subsidy ends up with their survey blocked and nothing. The system is designed to detect this, and it's getting better at it all the time. Risking your real household status for false information never pays off.

And what about the people who charge to "boost your score"?

This is what worries us most, because this is where people lose money. If someone offers to change your group in exchange for money—via WhatsApp, on the street, or by knocking on your door—it's a scam. There's no way around it. Mayors in several cities have warned about fake officials who promise to "lower your group" or "raise your score" and only take the money from those who need it most.

Three things you should remember:

• The Sisbén process is gratuitous. Nobody has the right to charge you for doing it or for "speeding it up".
• No official, whether municipal or national, can manually change your classification. That is assigned solely by the DNP (National Planning Department).
• There are no door-to-door visits unless you've requested them first. If someone arrives without your prior notice, be suspicious.

If you are offered this type of "help," do not pay and report it. You can report it to the anti-corruption hotline 195 or to the Sisbén administration in your municipality.

Where is the actual procedure carried out?

Only through official channels. Updates can be requested at your municipality's Sisbén office or through the DNP Citizen Portal. The verified channel is the official website. sisben.gov.co, where you will find the Citizen Portal for procedures. For questions, the DNP's helpline is (601) 381 5000.

When you go, bring your ID and the IDs of everyone in your household. If the office requires it, they will schedule a visit to your home to verify the conditions. That's the normal process, and it doesn't cost anything.

What's the point of having a good ranking?

The group you're assigned to opens or closes the door to social programs and subsidies, including various housing assistance programs. That's why it's important that your survey accurately reflects your household: not to "beat" the system, but so that, when you need support, the paperwork accurately reflects your reality. If you want to see which benefits depend on each group, we've compiled them in [link/section/etc.]. Sisbén groups for subsidies.

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 for the right to decent housing, and we know that the Sisbén (a Colombian social welfare system) is often the first step toward obtaining a housing subsidy. That's why we'll help you understand your classification and complete the update process correctly, free of charge and without false promises. We don't assign groups or scores (that's the responsibility of the National Planning Department), but we will guide you to the right channels so that no intermediary takes your money. If you're looking for decent housing and don't know where to start, write to us: that's what we're here for. You can read more guides like this one at [link to guide]. our blog.

What does and doesn't influence your Sisbén group

Your Sisbén group reflects the actual conditions of your household, so it's not something you can change arbitrarily: it changes when your situation changes and you update it correctly. This table separates what can affect your classification from what can't, but the final result is calculated by Sisbén using your verified data.

Situation	Can it influence your group?
Actual changes in household income or employment	Yes, if you update the information with accurate data.
Changes in household composition	Yes, when reporting births, deaths, or new family members
Improvements or deterioration in the home	Yes, the pollster assesses it during the visit.
Paying a third party to raise the score	No, it's a scam and it can get you banned from the system
Giving false information	No, it can also invalidate your registration

General guidance. The final classification is determined by Sisbén with your verified data.

Common mistakes when trying to change groups

• Paying someone who promises to raise your score: The procedure is free and official; anyone charging for it is scamming you.
• Declaring false information: It can exclude you from the system and from the benefits you would be entitled to.
• Confusing a group with a number that is chosen: The group comes from your real information; it is not chosen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I directly request a group change?
No. You don't need to be in a group: the survey is updated with your current situation and the DNP recalculates. If your circumstances have changed, your classification may change.

Is it true that paying speeds up or guarantees the change?
No. The process is free, and no one can modify your group in exchange for money. If someone offers to do so, it's a scam; report it to line 195.

I lost my job. Does that automatically lower my group size?
It's not automatic. You need to update the survey for the change to be recorded. Until you do, the system will continue using your previous information.

How long does it take for the change to be reflected?
It depends on the municipality and whether they require a verification visit. The important thing is to do it through the official channel and keep proof of your application.

What happens if I enter false information?
It's a scam. The DNP cross-references your information with other entities, and if it doesn't match, you could lose access to the programs. It's not worth risking your actual home.

Notice: This content is for informational and guidance purposes only. The Sisbén classification is assigned exclusively by the National Planning Department (DNP). For your specific case, always consult the official website sisben.gov.co or call (601) 381 5000. The Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation does not manage, modify, or charge for Sisbén procedures.