How It Works

To determine income eligibility, we use a combination of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and the Area Median Income (AMI). We use FPL as a baseline income level and then use AMI to adjust the income limits based on the local cost of living. 

 
The Federal Poverty Level (FPL): The FPL is a measure of poverty used by the federal government to determine whether someone's income is considered low enough to qualify for certain government programs. The FPL takes into account family size and household income, and is adjusted annually for inflation. In 2023, the FPL for a family of four in the contiguous United States was set at $30,500.

The Area Median Income (AMI): The AMI is the median income for a specific geographic area, such as a metropolitan area, county, or state.  AMI can be more useful than FPL in some situations because it takes into account the local cost of living, whereas FPL is a national standard based on income thresholds that are the same across the country.

In areas with a high cost of living, the AMI will be higher than the national FPL, meaning that more people will be eligible for assistance under AMI criteria. This is important because people living in high-cost areas may still struggle to make ends meet even if their income is above the FPL threshold. 

AMI can be more accurate than FPL in capturing the income distribution of a particular region. Since it is based on the median income of the local area, AMI can account for income inequality and provide a more nuanced picture of the income levels in a community. This can be especially important in areas where there are pockets of extreme poverty or wealth.

• We have set the income eligibility threshold at 200% of the FPL. This means that households with an income below twice the FPL for their family size may be eligible for cash assistance. 

• We have set the income eligibility threshold at 80% of the AMI for the state or county to ensure those who are earning significantly less than the average income in their area are served.

In addition to income, we may also take into account other factors when determining eligibility, such as family size, income history, net income, and expenses. We regularly monitor and evaluate our income criteria to ensure that we are effectively reaching those in need.