What is the federal poverty level?
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The federal poverty level (FPL) is a measure used by the federal government to determine at what income an individual or household is considered to be living in poverty.
If you apply for needs-based benefits like food assistance, healthcare, or child services, your eligibility is often compared to a percentage of the federal poverty level for your household size.
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What federal poverty level do benefits programs use in 2026?#what-federal-poverty-level-do-benefits-programs-use-in-2026
Federal poverty level (FPL) guidelines are named for the year they are released. Because the federal government usually publishes updated poverty guidelines in January each year, many needs-based benefits programs use the prior year’s FPL guidelines for part of the year.
For example, programs like SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, and CHIP will use the 2025 federal poverty level guidelines through September 30, 2026. School-based programs, such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Summer EBT, may begin using the 2026 federal poverty guidelines at the start of the new school year (usually somewhere between June and September).
The table below shows the 2025 federal poverty guidelines (equal to 100% of the federal poverty level):
| HOUSEHOLD SIZE | 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND D.C. | ALASKA | HAWAII |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,650 | $19,550 | $17,990 |
| 2 | $21,150 | $26,430 | $24,320 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $33,310 | $30,650 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $40,190 | $36,980 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $47,070 | $43,310 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $53,950 | $49,640 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $60,830 | $55,970 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $67,710 | $62,300 |
| Add for each additional person | +$5,500 | +$6,880 | +$6,300 |
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains the list of current federal poverty guidelines.
How the federal government calculates the federal poverty level#how-the-federal-government-calculates-the-federal-poverty-level
The federal poverty level is calculated based on research about the minimum cost of food and basic household expenses across the United States.
Each year, the government updates the poverty guidelines to account for inflation and cost-of-living changes. This means income limits for benefit programs often change slightly each year.
The federal poverty level depends on how many people live in your household. The more people in your household, the higher the income limit will be. This is because larger households usually have more expenses.
Because the federal poverty level is based on average costs across the United States, some federally funded programs let states set their own income limits to account for higher cost of living in those areas.
How does the federal poverty level affect program eligibility?#how-does-the-federal-poverty-level-affect-program-eligibility
Many government benefit programs use the federal poverty level to set income limits — the maximum amount of money your household can earn and still qualify for needs-based benefits.
In many programs, eligibility rules state that your income must be at or below a certain percentage of the federal poverty level to qualify. Many programs use the federal poverty level for the previous year when determining eligibility, while others use FPL income limits from the current year.
The federal government sets income eligibility guidelines for the programs it funds, but states are sometimes allowed to expand income limits to a higher percentage of the federal poverty level to reflect differences in cost of living. The exact income limits for public benefits programs can also vary depending on your individual situation: household size, household member age, disability status, student or work status, pregnancy, and other statuses.
Here are the federal poverty level eligibility rules for popular public benefits programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: SNAP, also called food stamps, provides nutrition assistance to people with low incomes through monthly benefits added onto an EBT card that can be used to buy eligible groceries. For SNAP, the gross income limit for most households is 130% of the federal poverty level. However, exact SNAP income limits vary by state and may be different for certain households, such as those with older adults and people with disabilities. Some types of income are not counted for SNAP and households must also meet net income and other eligibility rules to qualify.
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): WIC provides support to pregnant people, postpartum parents, infants, and young children, including financial assistance for buying groceries, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health screenings. Households may qualify for WIC if their income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
- Medicaid: Medicaid, which is called other names depending on the state, provides free or low-cost health coverage to people with low incomes. In states that have adopted Medicaid expansion, most adults qualify if their income is at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. Income limits in expansion states may be higher for adults over 65, children, people with disabilities, and pregnant people. In non-expansion states, Medicaid eligibility is usually limited to people with those statuses, and most adults cannot get Medicaid even if their income is very low. As of now, the states that have not expanded Medicaid include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Marketplace Health Insurance Discounts: The Health Insurance Marketplace ( Healthcare.gov) is a government website where people who don’t have access to Medicaid, Medicare, or employer health insurance compare and buy plans. Discounts on monthly premiums and out of pocket costs may be available to households with incomes between about 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Some states have their own Marketplace and offer discounts at higher incomes. Discounts are not available for people eligible for Medicaid, and individuals with Medicare are not allowed to purchase Marketplace plans.
Some other programs that use federal poverty limits for eligibility include:
- Head Start: Head Start provides free early childhood education, meals, and family support services to children from low-income households. Other free or low-cost childcare options often use the FPL to determine eligibility as well.
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Summer EBT: These programs help children from low-income households receive free or reduced-price meals at school and cash assistance for groceries during the summer months.
- Utility assistance programs: Programs like LIHEAP can offer cash assistance or other benefits to lower utility costs
Some needs-based programs may not rely directly on the federal poverty level:
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families): TANF provides cash assistance, called Cash EBT, as well as work training, education, and job opportunities to families with low incomes and assets
- Social Security Income: SSI provides monthly cash payments to older adults and people with disabilities who have very limited income and assets
- Housing assistance programs: Housing assistance programs like Section 8 housing vouchers and emergency assistance can help people with low-income pay a portion of your rent or help you find low-income housing options
How can I find more needs-based assistance programs?#how-can-i-find-more-needs-based-assistance-programs
There are many more assistance programs that can help with basic needs like housing, food, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and more. Many states and local governments offer their own needs-based programs but still use the federal poverty level when determining eligibility.
To find out what programs may be available in your area, you can contact 211 via phone or visit 211.org. You can also visit your state benefits website, contact your local Department of Human Services or social services office, or use tools like Benefits.gov to screen for programs you may qualify for.
