The Sisbén score no longer exists: how groups A, B, C and D work

Last updated: June 2026

If you check your Sisbén score and don't see a number from 0 to 100, there is no error. Since the implementation of Sisbén IV, there is no longer a numerical scale. Today, the system places you in a group (A, B, C, or D) based on your household's living conditions. This is the most common source of confusion we receive at the Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation: people look up their "score" and get scared when a letter appears. We're going to explain what each group means, how to check yours, and how to legitimately improve your classification, without falling for tricks or using fake websites.

The change is official. The National Planning Department itself states: "There will no longer be a score from 0 to 100, but rather a new classification that orders the population into groups." What was once a number is now a letter with a sub-level.

Why did the Sisbén score disappear?

The Sisbén III system did provide a number from 0 to 100. Many people still remember it and that's why they continue to look for their "score." But that model changed. The Sisbén IV system stopped measuring a score and began classifying by groups.

The reason is technical. The DNP now uses a model that estimates your household's income-generating capacity by analyzing four dimensions: housing, health, education, and the labor market. It's not a single number. It's a snapshot of how your family actually lives. That's why the result is a group, not a score.

So when someone asks you "what was your score on the Sisbén?", the correct answer today is a letter: A, B, C or D. And within that letter, a number.

What do the A, B, C, and D groups of the Sisbén mean?

Each group reflects a different level of living conditions. These are the four, according to the official Sisbén definition:

• Group A — Extreme poverty. This is the population with the lowest income-generating capacity. It is divided into five subgroups, from A1 to A5.
• Group B — Moderate poverty. Population with a greater capacity to generate income than that of group A. It has seven subgroups, from B1 to B7.
• Group C — Vulnerable. Population at risk of falling into poverty. This is the largest group: eighteen subgroups, from C1 to C18.
• Group D — Not poor, not vulnerable. Population that is neither in poverty nor at risk of falling into it. It has twenty-one subgroups, from D1 to D21.

Order matters. Within each group, the lower the number, the less earning potential. A person in A1 has more difficult circumstances than someone in A5. The same applies to each letter. That's why an A1 is, in practice, at the very bottom of the scale.

For many social programs, groups A and B are the highest priority. However, each program sets its own requirements, and these are decided by the administering entity, not by Sisbén. If you want to see which subsidies each group typically applies for, we explain it separately in [link/section/etc.]. Our guide to Sisbén groups for subsidies.

How do I check my Sisbén group using my ID number?

It's free and you don't need registration, a password, or intermediaries. Here are the steps:

1. Enter the official consultation portal: portal.sisben.gov.co.
2. Choose the type of document (national identity card, identity card, foreign identity card, etc.).
3. I wrote down the document number.
4. Check the result: it shows you the group, the subgroup, the municipality of residence and the date of the last survey.

The same portal allows you to download the certificate in PDF format. This document validates the information registered in the certified national database and serves as official proof. If a letter (A, B, C, or D) appears when you check, you are already registered in Sisbén IV. If your letter doesn't appear, you have probably never been surveyed or your information is outdated.

Is it possible to improve your Sisbén classification? How, without cheating?

Yes, but one thing needs to be understood: there's no "trick" to move down a group. The Sisbén reflects your actual circumstances. The legitimate way for your classification to change is to update the survey when your situation truly changes.

Think of it this way. If you lost your job, if a child was born, if someone in your household stopped working, if you moved to a less comfortable home, or if someone left the household, all of that affects how the system sees you. The survey is the only way for those changes to be recorded. You can request this update at the Sisbén office in your municipality or borough.

What you shouldn't do is provide false information. Reporting inaccurate data is fraud; it can remove you from the system and exclude you from programs. And be aware: the DNP (National Planning Department) makes automatic adjustments and cross-references with databases. Keeping your information up-to-date is what protects you.

How do I recognize fake Sisbén websites?

You have to be very careful here. There are websites that impersonate Sisbén to steal your data or charge you for something that's free. The rule is simple: the official domain ends in .gov.co.

Be wary of addresses like sisben-gov.co o sdp.sisben-gov.co. Look at the script: sisben-gov.co (with a hyphen) is NOT the same as sisben.gov.co (with a period). That hyphen is the trap. There are also websites that invent "scores" from 0 to 100 to appear credible, precisely by taking advantage of the confusion we explained at the beginning. If a site shows you a number from 0 to 100, you already know it's not the official source.

Sisbén never charges you for checking your group or downloading your certificate. The only valid consultation is at [website address missing]. sisben.gov.co and on the portal portal.sisben.gov.co.

Myths and realities about the Sisbén score

A lot of outdated or misleading information circulates about the score, especially since the Sisbén system stopped using a 0-100 number and switched to groups. This table separates common misconceptions from what actually applies today, so you don't make decisions based on outdated information. Your specific classification is always confirmed on the official Sisbén website.

What many believe	What really applies today
«"I have this score from 0 to 100"»	The Sisbén IV classifies by groups and subgroups, not by a numerical score from 0 to 100.
«"There is an ideal score for all subsidies"»	Each program defines which group it accepts; there is no single value that works for everyone.
«"I can get my group down quickly by paying someone."»	The ranking depends on the verified survey; offers to "lower" it are usually a scam.
«"My group is forever"»	This may change if you update the survey or if your registered conditions change.

This is a guideline. Check your actual group and subgroup by ID number on the official Sisbén website (sisben.gov.co).

Common mistakes when interpreting the Sisbén score

• Searching for a "score" that no longer exists: Continuing to think in terms of 0 to 100 leads to comparisons with figures that the Sisbén IV does not use.
• Falling for fake websites: Websites that mimic Sisbén ask for data or money; only access the official domain and be wary of those that charge.
• Believing that the group guarantees payment: Being in the correct group is a requirement, not an automatic approval of the subsidy.

Frequently asked questions about the Sisbén score

What is the best Sisbén score to receive subsidies?

There are no longer scores, only groups. For most social programs, groups A and B are prioritized because they correspond to extreme and moderate poverty. But the exact requirements are defined by each program, not by the Sisbén system.

What happened to my previous Sisbén score?

The score from 0 to 100 was from Sisbén III and is no longer applicable. With Sisbén IV, you were reclassified into a group. You don't need to do anything to "convert" your old score: just check your current group on the official website.

How often is my Sisbén group updated?

Your group may change when you request a new survey because your circumstances have changed, or when the DNP makes automatic adjustments by cross-referencing databases. Therefore, it's a good idea to check your classification from time to time.

Is it true that I can quickly "lower" my Sisbén group?

There's no quick fix or trick. The only legitimate way is to update the survey when your life situation truly changes. Any website that promises to change your group in exchange for payment is a scam.

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 know that behind every Sisbén inquiry is a family seeking stability. We don't process your Sisbén application for you—that's done by the official agency—but we do help you understand which group you're in, what it means, and what opportunities it opens up for you.

Our background work is the decent housing. And the Sisbén classification is usually the first step to accessing housing subsidies. That's why we're helping you understand your situation clearly: if your household is in group A, B, or C, there are housing programs that may apply to you, and it's worth keeping your information up to date. If you want to understand the requirements of related programs, check out our guide on Citizen's Income requirements, And for more content like this, visit our blog or meet the work of the Foundation.

Information guide. The official entity handles the process. Please verify through the official channel. Hepacom does not charge fees or process payments.