The 2024 federal poverty guidelines set the baseline income threshold at $15,060 for a single-person household in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. These figures, published annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in January, determine who qualifies for dozens of federal and state assistance programs including Medicaid, SNAP, ACA Marketplace subsidies, and LIHEAP. If you received a notice from a government program referencing the 2024 poverty guidelines, or you are checking past-year eligibility, this guide covers every figure you need.
2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines: Full Table (48 Contiguous States and D.C.)
The table below shows the official 2024 annual poverty guidelines published by HHS ASPE. Each additional household member adds $5,380 beyond the first.
| Household Size | Annual Income | Monthly Income |
|---|
| 1 person | $15,060 | $1,255 |
| 2 people | $20,440 | $1,703 |
| 3 people | $25,820 | $2,152 |
| 4 people | $31,200 | $2,600 |
| 5 people | $36,580 | $3,048 |
| 6 people | $41,960 | $3,497 |
| 7 people | $47,340 | $3,945 |
| 8 people | $52,720 | $4,393 |
For households larger than 8, add $5,380 per additional person.
2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines: Alaska and Hawaii
Alaska and Hawaii use separate, higher guidelines to account for the significantly higher cost of living in those states.
Alaska 2024 FPL
| Household Size | Annual Income |
|---|
| 1 person | $18,810 |
| 2 people | $25,540 |
| 3 people | $32,270 |
| 4 people | $39,000 |
| 5 people | $45,730 |
| 6 people | $52,460 |
| 7 people | $59,190 |
| 8 people | $65,920 |
Hawaii 2024 FPL
| Household Size | Annual Income |
|---|
| 1 person | $17,310 |
| 2 people | $23,510 |
| 3 people | $29,710 |
| 4 people | $35,910 |
| 5 people | $42,110 |
| 6 people | $48,310 |
| 7 people | $54,510 |
| 8 people | $60,710 |
How Programs Use FPL Percentages
No program uses the raw poverty level number directly as an income cutoff. Instead, each program sets its limit as a percentage of FPL. Here is how the major programs applied the 2024 figures.
| Program | FPL % Used | Income Limit (1-person, 48 states) |
|---|
| Medicaid (expansion states) | 138% | $20,783 |
| SNAP (most households) | 130% | $19,578 |
| SNAP (gross, net combined test) | 130% / 100% | $19,578 / $15,060 |
| ACA Premium Tax Credits (lower bound) | 100% | $15,060 |
| ACA Premium Tax Credits (upper bound) | 400% | $60,240 |
| CHIP (typical state threshold) | 200% | $30,120 |
| WIC | 185% | $27,861 |
| LIHEAP | 150% | $22,590 |
| Head Start | 100% | $15,060 |
These percentages apply to the 2024 guidelines effective January 2024. Some programs, particularly Medicaid and CHIP, set their own state-level thresholds above or below these federal floors, so the actual cutoff in your state may differ.
2024 FPL Compared to Recent Years
The 2024 guidelines reflected a 4.1% increase over 2023, driven by CPI inflation data. Here is how the single-person figure changed across recent years:
| Year | 1-Person FPL | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|
| 2021 | $12,880 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $13,590 | +5.5% |
| 2023 | $14,580 | +7.3% |
| 2024 | $15,060 | +3.3% |
| 2025 | $15,650 | +3.9% |
The 2024 guidelines were in effect from January 2024 through December 2024. If you are applying for benefits today, programs use the current year's guidelines (2025 or 2026 depending on the program and enrollment date).
Medicaid Eligibility Under 2024 FPL
In the 40 states (plus D.C.) that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, the 2024 income cutoff for adults was 138% of FPL. For a family of four, that works out to $43,056 per year.
Non-expansion states do not cover most non-disabled adults without children above their traditional thresholds, which vary significantly. Some states keep those thresholds well below 100% of FPL, creating a coverage gap for people who earn too much for traditional Medicaid but too little for ACA subsidies.
Key 2024 Medicaid income limits by household size (138% FPL, expansion states):
| Household Size | 138% FPL Annual |
|---|
| 1 | $20,783 |
| 2 | $28,207 |
| 3 | $35,631 |
| 4 | $43,056 |
| 5 | $50,480 |
| 6 | $57,904 |
SNAP Eligibility Under 2024 FPL
SNAP uses a two-test system. Most households must pass both a gross income test (130% of FPL) and a net income test (100% of FPL after deductions). Households with an elderly or disabled member only need to pass the net income test.
2024 SNAP gross income limits (130% FPL):
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Limit |
|---|
| 1 | $1,580 |
| 2 | $2,137 |
| 3 | $2,694 |
| 4 | $3,250 |
| 5 | $3,807 |
| 6 | $4,364 |
| 7 | $4,921 |
| 8 | $5,478 |
Some states have broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) policies that raise the SNAP gross income limit to 200% of FPL. Check your state's specific rules, since these limits vary.
ACA Marketplace Subsidies Under 2024 FPL
The ACA uses 2024 poverty guidelines to calculate premium tax credits for coverage purchased in 2024. To receive any subsidy, your household income must fall between 100% and 400% of FPL (with some enhanced subsidy rules under the Inflation Reduction Act extending help above 400%).
2024 ACA subsidy income range by household size:
| Household Size | 100% FPL | 400% FPL |
|---|
| 1 | $15,060 | $60,240 |
| 2 | $20,440 | $81,760 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $103,280 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $124,800 |
Note: For 2024 coverage, the IRS used 2023 poverty guidelines to determine advance premium tax credits, while final reconciliation on your 2024 tax return used 2024 guidelines. This is a standard one-year offset in the ACA program mechanics.
Other Programs Using 2024 FPL
Several other programs set eligibility at or near the poverty line:
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): Income limit is 185% of FPL. For a family of four in 2024, that equals $57,720 per year. Pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under five may qualify.
LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program): States set their own thresholds up to 150% of FPL. For a single person in 2024, 150% FPL equals $22,590. Some states go as high as 60% of state median income, whichever is higher.
Head Start / Early Head Start: Families at or below 100% of FPL qualify. Up to 35% of slots may serve families above the poverty line.
Lifeline Phone and Internet Subsidy: Eligible if your income is at or below 135% of FPL, which was $20,331 for a single person in 2024. You can also qualify through automatic enrollment if you receive Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or other qualifying programs.
School Meals (Free Lunch): Students qualify for free meals at 130% FPL and for reduced-price meals between 130% and 185% FPL.
Why the Guidelines Exist and Who Sets Them
The federal poverty guidelines descend from the original "poverty thresholds" developed by economist Mollie Orshansky at the Social Security Administration in the 1960s. HHS ASPE (the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation) now publishes the guidelines each January in the Federal Register.
There are two related but distinct measures:
- Poverty Guidelines (published by HHS): The simplified version used for program eligibility. This is what most people mean when they say "federal poverty level."
- Poverty Thresholds (published by Census Bureau): The more detailed statistical measure used for research and poverty rate calculations. Not used for program eligibility.
The guidelines apply to income before taxes and do not account for regional cost-of-living differences outside of Alaska and Hawaii.
How to Check Your Eligibility Today
The 2024 guidelines are now historical. If you are applying for benefits in 2025 or 2026, programs will use updated figures. The single-person 2025 FPL is $15,650 and the 2026 figure is $15,960. However, some programs reconcile eligibility against the year the coverage period began, so knowing the 2024 figures can matter for past tax filings, retroactive Medicaid claims, or benefit appeals.
To check what you may qualify for right now based on current guidelines, use the free screener at BenefitsUSA.org/screener. The tool checks 11 federal and state programs simultaneously and shows your estimated eligibility in a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2024 federal poverty level for a family of 4?
For a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and D.C., the 2024 federal poverty guideline is $31,200 per year ($2,600 per month). In Alaska it is $39,000, and in Hawaii it is $35,910.
What is 138% of the 2024 federal poverty level for a single person?
138% of the 2024 FPL for one person equals $20,783 per year (or approximately $1,732 per month). This is the standard Medicaid expansion income cutoff used in the 40 states that expanded Medicaid.
What is 200% of the 2024 federal poverty level?
200% of the 2024 FPL for a single person equals $30,120 per year ($2,510 per month). For a family of four, 200% FPL equals $62,400 per year. This threshold is used by CHIP and some state Medicaid programs.
Are the 2024 poverty guidelines still in effect?
No. The 2024 guidelines were in effect from January 2024 through late January 2025, when HHS published the 2025 guidelines. Programs that renew annually will now apply the 2025 or 2026 figures depending on the enrollment date.
Does the federal poverty level include Social Security income?
Most programs count Social Security benefits as income when comparing against FPL-based limits. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is an exception in some programs, since SSI receipt itself often qualifies a person for Medicaid automatically through what is called "categorical eligibility." The specific rules vary by program and state.
What is the monthly 2024 federal poverty level for a single person?
The monthly equivalent of the 2024 FPL for one person is $1,255 (the annual figure of $15,060 divided by 12). Programs often post their limits in monthly terms on their application materials.
How much did the FPL increase from 2023 to 2024?
The single-person FPL increased from $14,580 in 2023 to $15,060 in 2024, a $480 increase or approximately 3.3%. This adjustment was based on Consumer Price Index data for the 12 months ending in August 2023.
Where can I find the official 2024 poverty guidelines document?
The official source is the HHS ASPE website at aspe.hhs.gov. The 2024 document was published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2024. HHS also maintains an archive of prior years' guidelines for reference.
