Charity Updates

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New Income Survey Data Released - What that means to your charity services

In August, we released the most recently available household income data. You will notice a drop in the number and percentage of consumers falling into your lower income bands.

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Here's Why:

• The census and related federal agencies release income surveys every 4 to 5 years. We updated these values in 2014, 2019, 2022, and 2025.

• Because of the time between releases, these income updates tend to ratchet up over the previously available data.

• We get federal poverty guideline updates every year like clockwork. The poverty line goes up about 3-4% year over year. (Although in some years, the guidelines adjust to unexpected inflation. For example, the CPI uptick in 2022 was 8% and the poverty guideline rose more than7% in 2023 to meet it.)

• This means that between income surveys, more people qualify for poverty because they have "flat" income levels and the poverty line increases.

• When the updated income values are implemented, the charity scores reflect an abrupt “level set” removal of people from lower poverty levels. Consumers snap out of the band because we now "know" about their increased income.​

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What you can do:

• ​Review your income thresholds for treatments such as write off recommendations, financial assistance outreach, and other activities.

• We can help you review your data and discuss your approaches.​

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