What Is the Federal Poverty Level?
The federal poverty level (FPL) — also called the poverty line, poverty guideline, or poverty threshold — is a measure of income published annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It represents the minimum income considered necessary for basic living expenses in the United States.
The poverty guidelines are used by dozens of federal and state assistance programs to determine whether a household is eligible for benefits. Rather than using the exact poverty level, most programs set eligibility at a percentage of the FPL — for example, SNAP food stamps uses 130% FPL as its gross income limit, while Medicaid in expansion states uses 138% FPL.
How is the poverty line calculated?
The federal poverty guidelines are based on food costs. In the 1960s, economist Mollie Orshansky calculated that low-income families spent about one-third of their income on food. She multiplied the cost of a minimum food budget by three to create the original poverty threshold. This formula has been updated for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) every year since.
Critics note that this method is outdated — housing, healthcare, and childcare now consume a much larger share of household budgets than food. Several alternative poverty measures exist, including the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), but the official FPL guidelines remain the legal standard for program eligibility.
When are poverty guidelines updated?
HHS publishes new poverty guidelines each January, typically in the Federal Register. The new guidelines take effect immediately for most programs, though some programs like SNAP update their eligibility thresholds on October 1 at the start of the federal fiscal year.
2026 Federal Poverty Level — Official Amounts
These are the official 2026 HHS poverty guidelines published in January 2026. Amounts shown are annual income.
| Household size | Annual (100% FPL) | Monthly | 130% FPL (SNAP) | 138% FPL (Medicaid) | 200% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $1,330/mo | $1,729/mo | $1,835/mo | $2,660/mo |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $1,803/mo | $2,344/mo | $2,489/mo | $3,607/mo |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $2,277/mo | $2,960/mo | $3,142/mo | $4,553/mo |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $2,750/mo | $3,575/mo | $3,795/mo | $5,500/mo |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $3,223/mo | $4,190/mo | $4,448/mo | $6,447/mo |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $3,697/mo | $4,806/mo | $5,101/mo | $7,393/mo |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $4,170/mo | $5,421/mo | $5,755/mo | $8,340/mo |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $4,643/mo | $6,036/mo | $6,408/mo | $9,287/mo |
| Each additional | +$5,680 | +$473/mo | +$615/mo | +$653/mo | +$947/mo |
Source: HHS Poverty Guidelines 2026. Applies to 48 contiguous states and DC. Alaska and Hawaii have higher guidelines.
Federal Poverty Level by Year — Historical Trends
The poverty line increases each year to keep pace with inflation. The table below shows the single-person and family of four FPL for a single person from 2019 through 2026.
| Year | 1 person | Family of 4 | Year-over-year increase (4-person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12,490 | $25,750 | — |
| 2020 | $12,760 | $26,200 | $450 (1.7%) |
| 2021 | $12,880 | $26,500 | $300 (1.1%) |
| 2022 | $13,590 | $27,750 | $1,250 (4.7%) |
| 2023 | $14,580 | $30,000 | $2,250 (8.1%) |
| 2024 | $15,060 | $31,200 | $1,200 (4%) |
| 2025 | $15,650 | $32,150 | $950 (3%) |
| 2026 (current) | $15,960 | $33,000 | $850 (2.6%) |
Source: HHS Annual Poverty Guidelines. View complete historical tables →
Programs That Use the Federal Poverty Level
Dozens of federal and state assistance programs use the FPL to set income eligibility thresholds. Most programs don't use 100% FPL — they set limits at a percentage above or below depending on the program's purpose.
| Program | FPL threshold | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP (food stamps) | 130% gross / 100% net | Monthly food assistance |
| Medicaid | 138% FPL (expansion states) | Free or low-cost health coverage |
| CHIP | 200–317% FPL | Children's health insurance |
| ACA premium tax credits | 100–400% FPL | Health insurance subsidies |
| WIC | 185% FPL | Food/nutrition for women & children |
| LIHEAP | 150% FPL | Home energy assistance |
| Head Start | 100% FPL | Early childhood education |
| Medicare Savings Programs | 100–135% FPL | Help with Medicare costs |
| Extra Help (LIS) | 150% FPL | Medicare Part D drug costs |
| Children's Free/Reduced Lunch | 130–185% FPL | School meal programs |
| Pell Grants | Varies | College financial aid |
| Community Health Centers | 200% FPL | Sliding scale medical care |
Enter your income and household size to find out what percentage of the federal poverty level you are at — and which programs you may qualify for.
FPL Calculator →Free, no registration required. Results in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the poverty line for 2026?
The 2026 federal poverty line is $15,960 per year ($1,330/month) for a single person, and $33,000 per year ($2,750/month) for a family of four. Alaska and Hawaii have higher thresholds due to higher costs of living.
Is the poverty line the same in all states?
No. HHS publishes three sets of poverty guidelines: one for the 48 contiguous states and DC, one for Alaska, and one for Hawaii. Alaska's guidelines are about 25% higher and Hawaii's are about 15% higher than the contiguous states. Individual states cannot set their own poverty guidelines, but they can choose to set program eligibility at higher percentages of the FPL.
How often is the poverty line updated?
Every year, typically in January. HHS adjusts the guidelines based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) from the prior year. The new guidelines are published in the Federal Register and take effect immediately.
What is 100% of the poverty level in 2026?
100% of the federal poverty level in 2026 is $15,960/year ($1,330/month) for one person, and $33,000/year ($2,750/month) for a family of four.
Who is considered to be living in poverty?
Officially, households with income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level are considered to be living in poverty. However, many researchers and policy experts argue the official measure understates true poverty because it was designed in the 1960s and doesn't account for modern expenses like housing, childcare, and healthcare. The Census Bureau's Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) attempts to address these limitations.
What percentage of Americans live below the poverty line?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 11–13% of Americans — roughly 37–40 million people — live below the official poverty line in any given year. The Supplemental Poverty Measure typically shows a slightly different rate due to its more comprehensive accounting of income and expenses.
Is the poverty line before or after taxes?
The federal poverty guidelines are based on gross (pre-tax) income. Most assistance programs also use gross income to determine eligibility, though some programs (like SNAP) apply deductions to calculate net income for the final eligibility determination.