Clipper START Eligibility
[Published: Dec. 1, 2020]
To qualify for the Clipper START program, participants must meet the requirements below. For the most up-to-date information and eligibility requirements for the Clipper START program, visit the Clipper START page.
Be a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area
- Includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma Counties.
Be 19-64 years old
- If you are 18 or younger, you qualify for the Youth Clipper card discount program, which is a better benefit.
- If you are 65 or older, you qualify for the Senior Clipper card discount program, which is a better benefit.
Not have an RTC Clipper Card for people with disabilities
- The RTC Clipper card is a version of Clipper created for passengers under 65 with qualifying disabilities. All disabled customers who wish to receive transit discounts (passes, cash value fares) must have an RTC Clipper card. The RTC Clipper card is a photo identification card. You must apply for an RTC Clipper card in person at a participating transit agency. Visit 511.org for more information.
Have an annual household income of 200% of the federal poverty level or less
- To qualify, you must have a gross (before taxes) income level at or up to the amounts below.
- Add $8,960 for each additional household member over six.
- The following table is for 2020. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Clipper START page.
Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Annual income | $25,520 | $34,480 | $43,440 | $52,400 | $61,360 | $70,320 |