Income-Eligible Enhanced Defined
Income-Eligible Enhanced is a higher rebate tier in the Mass Save residential program available to households with combined annual income at or below 80% of Massachusetts state median income, calculated by household size per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Area Median Income tables.
The threshold is intentionally generous — well above federal poverty guidelines — and includes the majority of Massachusetts homeowners outside the very high-income suburbs. Per Mass Save 2024 program data, approximately 35-45% of MA households qualify.
2026 Income Thresholds
Approximate 80% MA state median income limits by household size for 2026:
| Household Size | 80% MA SMI Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 person | ~$55,000 |
| 2 people | ~$72,000 |
| 3 people | ~$87,000 |
| 4 people | ~$104,000 |
| 5 people | ~$117,000 |
| 6 people | ~$130,000 |
| 7 people | ~$143,000 |
| 8+ people | ~$155,000+ |
Limits update annually based on HUD AMI data. Check current limits at mass.gov/info-details/income-eligible-information.
Additional Rebate Amount vs Standard
Income-Eligible Enhanced increases nearly every Mass Save rebate substantially:
| Rebate | Standard | Income-Eligible Enhanced | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air sealing | 75% of cost | 100% of cost | +$600-$800 |
| Attic insulation R-49 | 75% | 100% | +$1,200-$1,800 |
| Wall insulation | 75% | 100% | +$1,200-$2,400 |
| Heat pump (whole-home) | $10,000 | $16,000 | +$6,000 |
| Heat pump water heater | $1,500 | $2,250 | +$750 |
| Induction range | $0 | $500 | +$500 |
| Typical Total Additional | — | — | $10,000-$12,500 |
For a household pursuing full electrification: enhanced tier captures roughly $10K-$12K MORE than standard tier — at no additional install cost.
How to Qualify
3-step qualification process:
- Schedule Mass Save HEA: Free 90-minute on-site audit. Required prerequisite for income tier verification.
- Bring income documentation to HEA visit: Most recent federal tax return cover page (Form 1040) showing AGI, OR 2 most recent pay stubs showing year-to-date earnings, OR Social Security benefit statement, OR unemployment benefits letter, OR disability income documentation.
- Auditor verifies on-site: 5-minute task during HEA. Auditor records 'income-eligible verified' on report. Verification carries forward to all downstream contractor filings within the 2-year HEA window.
Critical: income tier verification must happen BEFORE you sign with downstream contractors (heat pump installer, insulation installer). Standard-tier filings cannot be retroactively upgraded to enhanced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What income counts toward the household total?
Is the income threshold based on gross or net income?
Does household size include children?
Can I qualify if my income is just over the threshold?
Does Mass Save retain copies of my income documentation?
What if I qualify but my income changes after verification?
References & Sources
- Massachusetts state median income data. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/income-eligible-information
- Mass Save income-eligible enhanced program. https://www.masssave.com/saving/residential-rebates
- HUD Area Median Income for Massachusetts. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html
