Am I Eligible for Assistance?
Eligibility varies by program, but income level and household size are key factors. Area median income (AMI) and State Medium Income (SMI) are common metrics for qualification and are calculated based on your location and the number of individuals in your household.
You can get a sense of where your AMI falls by looking at the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Income Limits Documentation System.1 Once you select your state and county, a table will appear that identifies income limits by number of persons in a household for common income thresholds such as 50% and 80% AMI. (See examples in the figure below.) Information on SMI can be found in this table (PDF, 136 KB).
Similarly, many programs determine income eligibility based on a percentage above the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For example, the 2023 poverty guideline for a family of four living in the contiguous United States is $30,000. If program eligibility is 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline, the income limit would be $60,000. (See multiples chart (PDF, 158 KB).)
In general, more help (money and services) is available the lower your income is compared to others in your area.
- Households under 80 percent of AMI are usually considered lower income, with households under 50 percent of AMI being eligible for the widest range of programs and assistance.
- Households between 80 and 150% of AMI are usually considered moderate income and can still be eligible for significant assistance. In addition, a few utility low-income programs may offer enhanced incentives for households as high as 300 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
You may also automatically qualify for one or more available programs if at least one individual in your household receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and/or certain needs-tested Veteran Benefits.
It doesn’t look like I qualify, what are some other options?
If you do not qualify as low- to moderate-income, you may still be eligible for rebates or tax credits for home energy upgrades. Use the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder to search your zip code and view rebates and special offers available near you. Additionally, high efficiency measures, including some ENERGY STAR certified equipment, are eligible for tax credits. The tax credits are set to run through 2032.
More rebates and information will become available as funds are distributed, so please continue to check back on this page for updates.
1 Please note the system currently reflects 2022 information as 2023 data is not yet available.