Income-qualified households
Income-qualified households can save more with community solar.
If your household gets SNAP, Medicaid, energy assistance, or similar help, or your income is under your county’s limit, you may qualify for a reserved spot, and a bigger discount where state rules require it. We can also help you apply for Lifeline phone service.
- Nothing to upload
- A real person calls you
- Se habla español
Three quick facts
Reserved space
Many states set aside part of each project for income-qualified households.
Stronger savings rules
Some states cap what income-qualified subscribers pay. See your state below.
One call for both
Community solar and Lifeline, on the same call.
Do I qualify?
There are two ways to qualify. You only need one.
- 1
You get help from a program
Someone in your household gets SNAP, Medicaid, energy bill assistance, SSI, housing assistance, or a similar program.
- 2
Your income is under your county’s limit
Your household’s yearly income is at or below one of the two numbers for your county and household size.
Look up your county’s limits
Which limit applies depends on your state and project. We’ll confirm on the call.
Updated October 2026. Sources: HUD FY2026 Income Limits, HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines.
Your state’s rules
One line per state. Tap a state for the details.
Minnesota: at gardens approved since January 1, 2024, income-qualified subscribers can’t be charged more than 90% of their bill credit value.
Maryland: income-qualified subscribers can’t be charged more than 90% of their bill credit value.
Delaware: at projects certified on or after September 3, 2026, the law sets a minimum savings rate of 20% for income-qualified subscribers.
Illinois: The ILSFA program ensures that your fees total no more than half of whatever electric bill value you receive (at the time of starting the subscription) through the Program.
Maine: no separate income-qualified discount right now.
Rhode Island: no separate income-qualified discount right now.
New York: if you’re in your utility’s Energy Affordability Program and live in a disadvantaged community, you’re enrolled in Statewide Solar for All automatically, with nothing to sign up for.
Lifeline: phone service for less
Lifeline is an FCC program, administered by USAC, that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service. Many participating providers offer a free phone and free monthly service.
One benefit per household, renewed every year.
We can help you apply on the same call.
Who qualifies
- SNAP
- Medicaid
- SSI
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (including Section 8)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Or income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines
What to have ready
Nothing to upload. Have these handy for the call:
- A program letter from the last 12 months, or recent income documents
- A recent electric bill
Questions, answered
Do I have to upload documents?
No. You never upload anything on our website. When we call, we tell you exactly what your project needs. Usually that is a program letter from the last 12 months or recent income documents.
Which assistance programs count?
It depends on your state and your project. Common examples are SNAP, Medicaid, energy bill assistance, SSI, and housing assistance. We confirm on the call.
What if my income is close to the limit?
Choose “Not sure.” Some state programs use higher limits, and we’ll review it with you on the call. We never ask for your exact income online.
Is Lifeline the same as community solar?
No. Lifeline lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service. Community solar gives you credits on your electric bill. They are separate programs, and we can help with both on one call.
Do I need Lifeline to join community solar?
No. They are separate programs. You can ask us about either one, or both.
I live in New York and get help from my utility. Do I need to sign up?
Newly enrolled Energy Affordability Program customers who live in a disadvantaged community are enrolled in Statewide Solar for All automatically, with nothing to sign up for. CSR does not enroll customers in that program.
Ready to see if you qualify?
It takes about two minutes. A real person calls you within one business day.