WIOA requires that all registered participants meet minimum eligibility requirements depending on the program for which they are being enrolled.

1. As outlined in the WIOA Policies on eligibility in the Program Eligibility chapter of the policy manual:
   1. Low-income may be a qualifying criteria for being determined eligible for the youth program. These individuals are considered as having a barrier to employment.
   2. Participants of the adult program must receive priority of services if they are a low-income individual, among other priority criteria.
2. A low-income individual is a person who:
   1. Personally receives or received in the past six (6) months or is a member of a family that receives or received in the past six (6) months assistance through the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, the program of block grants to states for temporary assistance for needy families program under part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act or the supplemental security income program established under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, or State or local income-based public assistance; or
   2. Is in a family with total family income that does not exceed the higher of:
      1. The poverty line; or
      2. Seventy percent (70%) of the lower living standard income level; or
   3. Is a homeless individual (as defined in Section 41403(6)) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 USC 14043e–2(6)), or a homeless child or youth (as defined under Section 725(2)) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 USC 11434a(2)) ; or
   4. Receives or is eligible to receive a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 USC 1751 et seq.); or
   5. Is a foster child on behalf of whom state or local government payments are made; or
   6. Is an individual with a disability whose own income does not exceed the higher of:
      1. The poverty line; or
      2. Seventy percent (70%) of the lower living standard income level, but who is a member of a family whose income does not meet this requirement; or
   7. A youth customer living in a high-poverty area.
3. In making determinations of low-income status, the list of income source inclusions and exclusions found in the Income Guidelines and Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL) Boundaries attachment of the Notice.  (See the Notices tab.)
   1. Any income source NOT included on the exclusions list of income sources should be interpreted as being an inclusion of the income source.
4. When past income is an eligibility determinant for federal employment or training programs, any amounts received as military pay or allowances by any person who served on active duty, and certain other specified benefits must be disregarded for the veteran and for other individuals for whom those amounts would normally be applied in making an eligibility determination.
   1. Military earnings are not to be included when calculating income for veterans or transitioning service members for this priority, in accordance with Eligibility Requirements for Veterans under Federal Employment and Training Programs (38 USC 4213).
   2. Please reference the attachment on Inclusions and Exclusions for Determining Family Income for further guidance.  (See the Attachments tab.)
5. All determinations of low-income status for customers must be supported by proper documentation of the qualifying condition as outlined in WIOA Title IB General and Fund Source Eligibility Requirements and Documentation Sources.  (See the Attachments tab.)