Low income audience overview

  • Updated

Consumer support and offer redemption

If a consumer experiences issues verifying their low income status, direct them to the SheerID Verification Help Center for assistance or customer support routing. If a verified consumer encounters issues applying a discount or redeeming an offer, your customer support team must assist them directly.

Audience overview

SheerID low income allows brands to offer exclusive promotions to individuals in the US who participate in government assistance programs. Low income verification programs are available exclusively in the US.

Low income sub-segments

Program eligibility relies on federal income eligibility guidelines and active enrollment in government assistance programs.

SNAP income guidelines

Primary verification relies on federal eligibility guidelines for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Consumers who meet SNAP criteria verify instantly through authoritative data sources.

Document review programs

If an instant database match is inconclusive, consumers can verify by providing proof of enrollment in SNAP or another supported government assistance program:

  • LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
  • Medicaid
  • NSLP (National School Lunch Program)
  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
  • TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
  • TTANF (Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
  • WIC (Women, Infants, Children)
Verification confirms active membership in the selected program rather than evaluating specific individual income metrics. Verification documents must display an issue date within the past 12 months. Learn about data and document retention settings here.

Other program additions

You can optionally expand your program to include additional government assistance programs.

  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribal Head Start
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
  • School Breakfast Program
  • Federal Pell Grant
  • CEP (Community Eligibility Provision)
  • NY Senior citizen rent increase exemption
  • NY Disability rent increase exemption
  • NY Affordability benefit from a utility

Parent and dependent eligibility

Parents can redeem low income offers on behalf of an eligible child. To verify, the parent completes the verification form using their own personal details and submits two documents during document review:

  1. Proof of the child's enrollment in an eligible government assistance program
  2. A government ID providing proof of identity

Poverty level settings and program options

By default, low income verification aligns with SNAP eligibility rules set at 130% of the federal poverty level. You can expand eligibility by raising the poverty level threshold to 150%, 175%, or 200% of the federal poverty level. Contact SheerID Product Support to update your program threshold settings.

Verification methods and data protection

Verification methods

Low income programs use authoritative data sources and document review to confirm eligibility. Learn more about SheerID's verification engine.

Data security

SheerID maintains a robust security posture through annual SOC 2 Type 2 audits across security, availability, and privacy domains. Our commitment to data protection is further validated by ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications, ensuring our information and privacy management systems meet rigorous international standards. We utilize comprehensive safeguards throughout our infrastructure to defend consumer information and uphold strict regulatory compliance.

Age requirements

Low income programs can validate consumers as young as 16 years old depending on the government program guidelines. SheerID recommends setting the minimum age requirements to be 18 years or older for low income programs.

Legal and compliance considerations

As always, SheerID advises that you consult with your legal counsel regarding compliance with laws and regulations including, but not limited to, those relating to governmental assistance programs and advertising.

Learn more about supporting this audience in the Center of Excellence.

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