You may see “income-qualified” on forms and flyers. What does it mean for your household? This guide explains the terms in plain words.
The big idea: two common ways to qualify
Many programs accept either of these paths:
- Someone in your household gets help from a qualifying program. You show a letter or notice from that program, usually dated within the last 12 months.
- Your household income is below a set limit for your county and household size. Projects often use 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) or 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
Which programs and limits count can change by state and by project. If you are not sure which path fits, start on our Income-qualified and Lifeline page to see what we look for.
What is Area Median Income (AMI)?
AMI is the middle income for a local area. It is not one number for the whole country. It changes by location and by household size.
HUD publishes income limits each year based on AMI. HUD’s “low-income” limit is 80% of AMI. Programs use these limits to decide who qualifies in each county. A household of two will have a different limit than a household of five in the same county.
This is why your county matters. Incomes and costs vary from place to place, so the limit that fits your county may not match a nearby county.
What is the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)?
The Federal Poverty Level is a simple chart of yearly income. It rises as household size rises. HHS published the 2026 poverty guidelines on January 15, 2026.
Some programs use a multiple of that number. A common one is 200% of the poverty level. If a project uses this rule, it will compare your household’s yearly income to that 200% figure for your household size.
Both AMI-based limits and FPL-based limits aim to measure need. They do it in different ways. AMI looks at your area. FPL is a national guideline that adjusts for household size.
Household size: who counts, and why it matters
Limits change with household size because more people cost more to support. But programs and projects do not all count “household” the same way.
Some use one definition, while others use a different one. The right approach depends on the rules for that program or project. If you are unsure who should be counted, we will explain the rule that applies to your project and help you list the right people.
County or place: why location changes the limit
AMI-based limits vary by county because incomes differ by area. A limit in one county might be higher or lower than in the next county over. Even within a state, the numbers can shift.
If your project uses AMI, your county and your household size both matter. If your project uses FPL, household size is the key factor, since FPL is a national guideline.
You do not need to look these up before you reach out. Our pinned guide on income-qualified community solar explains how projects apply these rules. We also walk through it with you on a call.
How programs check income or participation
There are two common paths:
- Proof of participation in a qualifying program. This is usually a letter or notice from that program, often dated within the last 12 months.
- Proof of household income under the limit for your county and household size. Many projects use 80% AMI or 200% FPL as the limit.
Which programs “count,” which documents work, and which income limit applies can differ by state and by project. We confirm the rule that applies to your project.
What CSR asks on the form (and what we don’t)
You never need to share your exact income online with CSR. CSR never asks anyone to upload documents on our website. On the call, we explain exactly what the project needs. If a program letter works, we tell you what kind and how recent it should be. If income is needed, we explain which pay or benefit records fit.
How to check your status today
You can prepare without hunting for numbers:
- Decide which path might fit your household: a qualifying program letter, or an income limit for your county and household size.
- Keep recent mail or emails from any qualifying program in one place. A notice from the last 12 months is often what projects ask for.
- If using income, note your county and how many people are in your household under the project’s rules.
- Answer our form truthfully. We will confirm the rule that applies to your project and explain next steps.
If you want more background now, see our Income-qualified and Lifeline page. It sums up the ways households show they qualify.
Understanding AMI, 80% AMI, the poverty level, and 200% FPL can feel like a lot at first. You do not need exact dollar figures to get started. Tell us what applies to your household, and we will help you match the right rule to your project.
