Glossary
Household size
The number of people living in your home who depend on income and resources from the same source.
Household size is the count of people living together in one home who share income and expenses. It usually includes you, your spouse or partner, your children, and other relatives living with you. Unrelated people living together may count if they buy food together.
Household size matters because it affects how much money you can earn and still qualify for many benefits. Larger households have higher income limits. For example, SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) allows a family of four to earn more than a family of one before benefits stop.
Household size also affects the amount of benefits you receive. The same program often gives more money per month to larger households.
Applying is free, and only the agency decides who counts as part of your household.
Programs where this matters
Child Tax CreditInternal Revenue ServiceThe Child Tax Credit is a federal tax credit that may lower the tax you owe if you are raising qualifying children.EITCInternal Revenue ServiceThe EITC is a federal tax credit for people who work and have low to moderate income. It may lower your tax and add to your refund.LIHEAPHHS Administration for Children and FamiliesLIHEAP helps households with low income pay heating and cooling bills, and may help in an energy crisis such as a shut-off notice.LifelineFCC / Universal Service Administrative CompanyLifeline is a federal program that may give households with low income a discount on phone or internet service.MedicaidCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicaid is free or low-cost health coverage run by each state with federal funding, for children, adults, pregnant people, older adults and people with disabilities.SNAPUSDA Food and Nutrition ServiceSNAP gives monthly benefits on an EBT card to help households with low income buy food.WICUSDA Food and Nutrition ServiceWIC gives healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding support to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children with low income.ACA SubsidiesCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesPremium tax credits may lower the monthly cost of a health plan you buy through the ACA Marketplace.CHIPCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesCHIP gives low-cost health coverage to uninsured children in families that earn too much for Medicaid.Child Care AidHHS Administration for Children and FamiliesChild care assistance helps families with low income pay for child care so parents can work, look for work, or go to school or training.Extra HelpSocial Security AdministrationExtra Help may lower what people with Medicare and limited income and resources pay for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.Head StartHHS Administration for Children and FamiliesHead Start and Early Head Start offer free early learning, health and family support services to young children from families with low income.MSPCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicare Savings Programs help people with Medicare who have limited income and resources pay Medicare costs such as premiums.MedicareCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicare is federal health insurance for older adults and some younger people with disabilities.SSISocial Security AdministrationSSI pays monthly cash to people with limited income and resources who are older, blind or have a disability.Section 8US Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentHousing Choice Vouchers, often called Section 8, help families with low income pay rent for a home they find in the private market.TANFHHS Administration for Children and FamiliesTANF gives cash help and support services to families with children who have low income. Each state runs its own program.UnemploymentUS Department of Labor / state workforce agenciesUnemployment insurance pays temporary cash benefits to workers who lose their jobs and meet their state's rules.Pell GrantUS Department of EducationThe Federal Pell Grant helps undergraduate students with financial need pay for college. Unlike a loan, it usually does not have to be repaid.Property Tax ReliefState revenue departmentsMany states offer property tax relief that may lower property tax bills for some homeowners, such as older adults, people with disabilities and veterans.SSDISocial Security AdministrationSSDI pays monthly benefits to people who cannot work because of a disability and who have worked and paid Social Security taxes.School MealsUSDA Food and Nutrition ServiceFree and reduced-price school meals help children eat well at school, and Summer EBT helps families buy food for children in the summer.VA BenefitsUS Department of Veterans AffairsThe US Department of Veterans Affairs offers disability pay, pension and health care to eligible veterans, and some benefits to their families.WeatherizationUS Department of EnergyThe Weatherization Assistance Program makes free energy-saving home improvements, like insulation and heating repairs, for households with low income.