Low income guidelines are employed by Oregon governmental agencies to determine which residents are eligible for certain financial assistance programs. Each of these programs has its own income guidelines on what "low-income" is.
Significance
Meeting Oregon low income guidelines for certain programs means having the opportunity to participate in these programs to help improve your situation.
Benefits
As of 2010, the Oregon Low-Income Energy Assistance Program defined low-income as a household at or below 60 percent of the median state income level. For the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, low income was defined as households that are at or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL.) The Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program defined low-income as 135 percent of the FPL. The Oregon Medicaid program defined low-income as households below 200 percent of the FPL.
Considerations
Income determinations are based on family size. While a couple with no kids making $30,000 in 2010 may not qualify for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP,) a couple with one child making $30,000 in 2010 may qualify.
