In New York City, what counts as low income depends on which program you are asking about. For affordable housing, the city uses percentages of Area Median Income, and a single person earning up to $90,720 or a family of four earning up to $129,600 qualifies as low-income at 80% AMI under the most recent figures. For food assistance, health coverage, heating help, and discounted transit, eligibility is tied to the federal poverty level instead. The result is that one household can qualify for some benefits and not others at the same paycheck.
The Two Yardsticks NYC Uses
Most affordable housing programs rely on Area Median Income, a figure the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development calculates each year for the New York City metropolitan region. AMI represents the midpoint of household earnings in the area: half of families earn more, half earn less. For 2025, the AMI for a three-person household in the NYC region is $145,800.1New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Area Median Income HUD typically releases updated figures in the spring or summer, so 2026 numbers may not be available until mid-year.
NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development breaks AMI into income bands used across housing lotteries and city-financed developments:1New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Area Median Income
- Extremely Low-Income: 0–30% of AMI
- Very Low-Income: 31–50% of AMI
- Low-Income: 51–80% of AMI
- Moderate-Income: 81–120% of AMI
- Middle-Income: 121–165% of AMI
Non-housing programs generally skip AMI and use the federal poverty level. For 2026, the federal poverty level is $15,960 per year for a single person and $33,000 for a family of four, with $5,680 added for each additional household member.2U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2026 Poverty Guidelines Programs like SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Fair Fares each set their own cutoff as a percentage of that number.
Affordable Housing Income Limits
NYC’s affordable housing lotteries attach specific dollar amounts to each AMI band and household size. Under the current 2025 limits, the key cutoffs for a single person and a family of four look like this:3New York City Housing Development Corporation. 2025 Income Limit and Rent Charts
- 30% AMI (Extremely Low-Income): up to $34,050 for one person; up to $48,600 for a family of four
- 50% AMI (Very Low-Income): up to $56,700 for one person; up to $81,000 for a family of four
- 80% AMI (Low-Income): up to $90,720 for one person; up to $129,600 for a family of four
- 120% AMI (Moderate-Income): higher limits apply, and some developments go up to 165% AMI
HPD and the NYC Housing Development Corporation both use these charts for the buildings they finance. Some developments are reserved entirely for extremely low-income tenants; mixed-income buildings set aside units across several bands. Every affordable housing listing on NYC Housing Connect spells out which income bands qualify, so start by locating your household on the chart.1New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Area Median Income
NYCHA Public Housing
The New York City Housing Authority uses HUD’s “low-income” limits as its eligibility ceiling. A single person can earn up to $90,750 and a family of four can earn up to $129,600.4New York City Housing Authority. Eligibility Those numbers closely mirror the 80% AMI figures because they come from the same HUD calculations. Waitlists often span years, so applying early matters.
SNAP Income Limits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program uses the federal poverty level. For the period running October 2025 through September 2026, the standard gross monthly income limit (130% of the federal poverty level) is $1,696 for a single person and $3,483 for a family of four. Net income, after allowable deductions, must also fall at or below the poverty level itself: $1,305 per month for one person and $2,680 for a family of four.5Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Eligibility
New York broadens those limits for certain households. If your household includes a senior or disabled member, or if you have dependent care costs, the gross income ceiling rises to 200% of the federal poverty level: $2,608 per month for a single person and $5,358 for a family of four. Households with earned income qualify at 150% of the poverty level, and all others use the 130% threshold.
Medicaid Income Limits
New York expanded Medicaid, so most adults under 65 qualify if their income falls at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. For 2026, that works out to $1,836 per month for a single person and $2,489 per month for a couple. Young adults aged 19 and 20 who live with their parents qualify at a slightly higher threshold of 155% of the poverty level.6New York State Department of Health. GIS 26 MA/05 Attachment I – Medicaid Income Levels Pregnant women and children have more generous limits.
Home Energy Assistance (HEAP)
HEAP helps cover heating costs during colder months. For the 2025–2026 season, the monthly income limits are $3,473 for a one-person household and $6,680 for a family of four.7State of New York. Apply for Heating Assistance (HEAP) These thresholds are more generous than SNAP or Medicaid because the program targets a broader income range. HEAP is not an ongoing monthly benefit; it’s a seasonal grant applied once toward your heating bill, with a separate emergency component for shutoff situations.
Fair Fares
Fair Fares gives qualifying New Yorkers a half-price MetroCard for subway and bus rides. The income threshold is 150% of the federal poverty level,8City of New York Rules. Eligibility for Fair Fares Program which for 2026 comes to roughly $23,940 per year for a single person or $49,500 for a family of four. It’s an easy program to miss, especially for working adults whose income lands just above SNAP or Medicaid cutoffs.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit is one of the largest cash benefits available to low-income working households, and many eligible New Yorkers never claim it. The federal EITC for tax year 2026 provides up to $8,231 for a family with three or more children, up to $7,316 with two children, up to $4,427 with one child, and up to $664 for workers without qualifying children. The credit phases out at different income levels depending on filing status and family size. For a single filer with one child, for example, the credit disappears entirely at $51,593 in earnings.
New York State adds its own earned income credit equal to 30% of the federal EITC you receive, fully refundable for full-year residents.9New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Earned Income Credit (New York State) New York City layers on an additional local credit of 10% to 30% of the federal amount, with higher match rates for the lowest earners. Combined, the state and city supplements can add up to 60% on top of your federal credit. A family collecting a $7,000 federal EITC could receive roughly $4,200 more from the state and city combined. Free tax preparation through VITA sites across the city can help you claim these credits at no cost.
Where to Apply
Most benefit applications go through ACCESS NYC, an online portal where you can apply for SNAP, cash assistance, and Medicaid, or screen yourself for dozens of other programs.10City of New York. ACCESS NYC The screening tool asks basic questions about your income, household size, and expenses, then shows every program you may qualify for. Run it even if you think you only qualify for one thing; households are often eligible for benefits they haven’t heard of.
Affordable housing applications go through NYC Housing Connect, a separate system. You create a profile, browse open lotteries, and apply to specific developments. After the deadline, applications are chosen through a random lottery rather than first-come-first-served, so applying on the last day carries no disadvantage.11New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Housing Connect Application Guides NYCHA public housing has its own separate application through NYCHA’s self-service portal.4New York City Housing Authority. Eligibility
Once you qualify, you’re not set indefinitely. Medicaid renews annually, SNAP certification periods typically run 6 to 12 months, and affordable housing developments conduct annual income reviews that can affect your rent. Report income changes as they happen rather than waiting for the next renewal cycle.