Information Memorandums (IMs)—2007

The 2007 Family Income Guidelines (ACF–IM–HS–07–05)

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM [See Attachments at the bottom]

TO: Head Start and Early Head Start Grantees and Delegate Agencies

SUBJECT: The 2007 Family Income Guidelines

INFORMATION:

Children are eligible to participate in Head Start if they are from low-income families or if their families are eligible for public assistance. The Head Start Act establishes income eligibility for participation in Head Start programs based on the poverty guidelines updated annually in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2). The attached 2007 Family Income Guidelines were published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2007 (Vol. 72, No. 15, pp. 3147–3148). The 2007 Guidelines must be used to determine eligibility for Head Start for families who are eligible because they have low-incomes.

For information about determining eligibility for families who are eligible because they receive public assistance, please see the July 29, 1999 Program Instruction titled, “Receipt of Public Assistance and Determining Eligibility for Head Start.”

The attached definition of “income” that is used by Head Start is derived from the U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Reports and earlier reports in the same series. It provides a more detailed guidance on the term "income" than is found in 45 CFR 1305.2(i).

The definition of “family” to be used in determining eligibility is found in 45 CFR 1305(2)(e), which defines family as all persons living in the same household who are:

1. supported by the income of the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child enrolling or participating in the program, and
2. related to the parent(s) or guardian(s) by blood, marriage or adoption.

Please note that under Public Law 108–375 (37 USC 1009 NOTE), any family subsistence assistance received by members of the armed forces should be disregarded as income when determining the eligibility of their children for certain low-income assistance programs, including Head Start.

Questions about the Income Guidelines should be addressed to your OHS Regional Office or the American Indian—Alaska Native and Migrant Program Branches.

Sincerely,

(Download in PDF)

Attachments:

Family Income Guidelines 2007
Head Start Program Definition of Income