Low Income Ticket Program

[trilobyte]

Details of the Low Income Ticket Program have been posted on the Tickets page. Application process opens up on February 15.

[lemur]

great!!! as a person who has taken part in one of the low income programs of the past I have to say that it is in fact totally awesome they do it and an extremely important thing for some folks in our community

it is good to see the move to a need for financial documents.. hopefully this will help mitigate any possible gaming of this system....

I think low income program is a very important one for our community and the people who work the program surely do some great stuff.

[CornMan]

I found it interesting that they want 3 digital images of proof of low income status. I could just show them my only W-2 from last year.

[lemur]

read it more carefully..

it is a minimum of one, a maximum of 3.

[Mofessor]

Tickets for low income are non transferable... interesting.

[CornMan]

Tickets for low income are non transferable... interesting.

I think that is a good thing.

[theCryptofishist]

They have always been nontransferable.

[CornMan]

Last year, the scholarship tickets were non-transferable, but my low-income ticket was just a regular printed ticket with a lower price.

[AntiM]

Last year, the scholarship tickets were non-transferable, but my low-income ticket was just a regular printed ticket with a lower price.

Precisely the loophole which needed to be closed.

[maryanimal]

I emailed a friend at HQ in San Fran. I asked him a few questions and I got this response today:

As far as income/expenses documents, we are looking for a big picture look of what you take in and have to spend so your unemployment info, any other "big" expense documents and an itemization of the smaller things. There will be also be a blank to type in an explanation if it's not clear in the documents.

For the same house question, it's fine if people live together, we just need separate applications with their individual
explanations of their situation.

I hope this helps someone! Couldn't hurt!!

[cpart]

If we don't get tickets in this first sale, and we don't plan on buying them later, can we apply? It seems to only state you can't buy one if you PURCHASED one. But I thought I'd check to see what everyone else thinks of the wording.

[Savannah]

If we don't get tickets in this first sale, and we don't plan on buying them later, can we apply? It seems to only state you can't buy one if you PURCHASED one. But I thought I'd check to see what everyone else thinks of the wording.

Q: If I purchase tickets through the Main Sale, can I still purchase tickets through the Open Sale or the Low Income program?
A: Yes and no. If you purchased tickets in the Main Sale, you may purchase up to two additional tickets through the Open Sale. Nobody may buy more than four (4) tickets total, regardless of which sale or price. If you purchase tickets in the Pre-Sale, Main Sale, or Open Sale, you are ineligible to apply for Low Income tickets. However, if you are not selected in the random drawing or the Open Sale you can still apply for a Low Income ticket if you feel you need one.

Source: http://tickets2.burningman.com/faq.php#multisales

[Raymaker]

If we don't get tickets in this first sale, and we don't plan on buying them later, can we apply? It seems to only state you can't buy one if you PURCHASED one. But I thought I'd check to see what everyone else thinks of the wording.

Nobody may buy more than four (4) tickets total, regardless of which sale or price.

So you can't buy more than 4 tickets, not extra from STEP?

[trilobyte]

If you registered for but were not awarded tickets in the main sale, you may apply for tickets in the low income program.

My understanding is that if you purchase a ticket in the open sale or apply for tickets through STEP, your application for a low income ticket will be automatically rejected (or an approved application voided/canceled).

[maryanimal]

If you registered for but were not awarded tickets in the main sale, you may apply for tickets in the low income program.

My understanding is that if you purchase a ticket in the open sale or apply for tickets through STEP, your application for a low income ticket will be automatically rejected (or an approved application voided/canceled).

That is correct!!

[probablyrustin]

trilo, i was under the impression that the low-income program wasn't meant to be used as a fall-back option for those who missed out on lower tier tickets. i recall a discussion on this that ended with the conclusion that the program is targeted to those who can only afford to pay the reduced price. i've been holding out, but am a little worried that this practice is completely acceptable now. what has changed to make it OK for people to use the low-income program as a fallback for missing out on tier one? will there even be safeguards to make sure those who registered for higher tiers can't apply for low-income? or would that be beyond the means of the BORG?

ultimately, it is what it is, but it seems worth bringing up (and thanks for fielding these endless worried rants)

[Savannah]

The difference seems to be as to whether one was successful in the Pre, Main, or Open Sales. We're talking about it here, too:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 90&t=53723

Ethically, one would still want to patronize this sale only if broke, and Practically, this is necessary too, as they do ask for at least one proof of income.

[LadyCat]

I can foresee a lot of forged "Low Income" documents...

[Elliot]

Methinks there is an inherent difficulty with documenting an absence of normal income. How do you prove something that does not exist? If I show them a very modest W-2, who is to say I do not have other jobs? I'm just trying to understand this.

[tattoogoddess]

I would hope you would file all your w2's from whatever jobs you have. More money back during tax season!

[trilobyte]

@LadyCat - unfortunately, people have tried to scam the system for years - this year will likely be no exception. Fortunately, each application is reviewed with care by people who've got experience spotting scammers.

[rumajo]

What is puzzling me is this statement from the Low Income FAQ:
"To be eligible for a low income ticket you cannot purchase another ticket for 2012."

Does this mean that if I am not awarded a Low Income then, in March, I am not eligible to apply for the Open Sale?

thanks & have a GREAT weekend!

[lemur]

What is puzzling me is this statement from the Low Income FAQ:
"To be eligible for a low income ticket you cannot purchase another ticket for 2012."

Does this mean that if I am not awarded a Low Income then, in March, I am not eligible to apply for the Open Sale?

thanks & have a GREAT weekend!

it means what it says.


if you purchase a ticket in the open sale it will disqualify and negate eligibility for the low income program..

you cant 'hedge your bets' in the open sale while waiting for the low income program to pan out.. (edit2: well i guess you COULD do that, but it probably wouldnt be seen to be kindly to the low income program folks)

and really, ..if you CAN do that, you probably shouldnt be applying anyways.

edit: if you are not awarded a low income ticket you are still eligible to go for the open sale, but the open sale is march 28 and low income program is open from from feb 15th to may 1st.. you might not get the news in enough time to take part in the open sale, which may happen before you get the answer from a low income application..

[Token]

I'm so applying. Screw the fact that I have the money for a regular ticket, I didn't get one in the raffle and I do have my unemployment W2 to make the low income angle work.

Whats good for the goose is good for the gander.

Fuck em.

Now to craft that sad story ...

[trilobyte]

@probablyrustin - yeah, I suspect that if buying first tier tickets is within the realm of financial possibility, you're probably not an ideal candidate. But you are allowed to apply.

[frankbank]

My sister is a full time student with no job. How does she show proof for low income ticket????

[tattoogoddess]

My sister is a full time student with no job. How does she show proof for low income ticket????

the W2 the school sends her.

[Elliot]

My sister is a full time student with no job. How does she show proof for low income ticket????

the W2 the school sends her.

The W-2 form is issued by employers to employees, showing wages paid and taxes withheld. Why would schools issue them to students?

[junglesmacks]

Since when have schools issued W-2s?

EDIT: Beat me to the obvious (donkey) punch

[Elliot]

From the Tickets FAQ:

Q: What kinds of documents are you looking for to prove my financial situation?
A: 2011 or 2010 tax forms, student loan documents, a paycheck stub are all good documents to provide. We are looking for whatever you can provide to show your income and expenses. There is also room on the application to explain your situation. Out goal is to make sure these tickets are awarded to those who truly need them so the more information you can provide, the better.

I may have to try a short essay.