Alaska and Hawaii residents use different federal poverty level (FPL) thresholds than the rest of the country. HHS publishes three separate sets of guidelines each year: one for the 48 contiguous states and DC, a higher set for Hawaii, and an even higher set for Alaska. For 2026, a single person in Alaska has an FPL of $19,950, compared to $18,360 in Hawaii and $15,960 in the continental United States. These adjustments directly affect what programs you qualify for and how much assistance you may receive.
Why Alaska and Hawaii Have Higher FPL Thresholds
The separate guidelines for Alaska and Hawaii date back to administrative practice established in the late 1960s when the original poverty guidelines were first published. Both states have significantly higher costs of living than the continental United States, driven by geographic isolation and higher prices for goods, housing, and services.
HHS calculates the annual update using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). For 2026, the CPI-U increased approximately 2.6 percent between calendar year 2024 and 2025, which drove the upward adjustment across all three geographic areas. The 2026 guidelines took effect January 17, 2026.
The adjustment multipliers have remained consistent for decades. Alaska's guidelines are approximately 25 percent higher than the contiguous states, and Hawaii's are approximately 15 percent higher.
2026 FPL Income Limits for Alaska
The table below shows the 2026 federal poverty guidelines for Alaska by household size. For households with more than 8 people, add $7,100 per additional person.
| Household Size | Annual FPL | Monthly FPL |
|---|
| 1 person | $19,950 | $1,663 |
| 2 people | $27,050 | $2,254 |
| 3 people | $34,150 | $2,846 |
| 4 people | $41,250 | $3,438 |
| 5 people | $48,350 | $4,029 |
| 6 people | $55,450 | $4,621 |
| 7 people | $62,550 | $5,213 |
| 8 people | $69,650 | $5,804 |
2026 FPL Income Limits for Hawaii
The table below shows the 2026 federal poverty guidelines for Hawaii by household size. For households with more than 8 people, add $6,530 per additional person.
| Household Size | Annual FPL | Monthly FPL |
|---|
| 1 person | $18,360 | $1,530 |
| 2 people | $24,890 | $2,074 |
| 3 people | $31,420 | $2,618 |
| 4 people | $37,950 | $3,163 |
| 5 people | $44,480 | $3,707 |
| 6 people | $51,010 | $4,251 |
| 7 people | $57,540 | $4,795 |
| 8 people | $64,070 | $5,339 |
2026 FPL: 48 Contiguous States Comparison
To understand how the Alaska and Hawaii adjustments compare, here are the contiguous state guidelines. For households over 8 people, add $5,680 per additional person.
| Household Size | Annual FPL | Monthly FPL |
|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $1,330 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $1,803 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $2,277 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $2,750 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $3,223 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $3,697 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $4,170 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $4,643 |
How Programs Use FPL Percentages in Alaska and Hawaii
Most federal assistance programs set eligibility at a percentage of FPL. Because Alaska and Hawaii use higher base numbers, the same percentage threshold translates to higher dollar limits. Here is a comparison of key percentage thresholds for a family of four in 2026.
| Program / Percentage | 48 States (Family of 4) | Hawaii (Family of 4) | Alaska (Family of 4) |
|---|
| 100% FPL | $33,000 | $37,950 | $41,250 |
| 133% FPL (Medicaid expansion) | $43,890 | $50,474 | $54,863 |
| 138% FPL (Medicaid threshold) | $45,540 | $52,371 | $56,925 |
| 150% FPL (CHIP/some Medicaid) | $49,500 | $56,925 | $61,875 |
| 200% FPL (CHIP upper limit) | $66,000 | $75,900 | $82,500 |
| 250% FPL (ACA CSR silver) | $82,500 | $94,875 | $103,125 |
| 400% FPL (ACA subsidy cliff) | $132,000 | $151,800 | $165,000 |
The higher thresholds in Alaska and Hawaii mean more residents can qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, and ACA subsidies at the same income level that would disqualify someone in the continental United States.
Medicaid Eligibility Using Alaska and Hawaii FPL
Alaska Medicaid
Alaska expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Adults with household income up to 138% FPL are eligible for Medicaid. For 2026, that threshold is approximately:
- Single adult: $27,531
- Family of 2: $37,329
- Family of 3: $47,127
- Family of 4: $56,925
Alaska's Medicaid program also covers pregnant women at higher income limits, children through CHIP at up to 200% FPL, and seniors and people with disabilities under separate eligibility rules.
Hawaii Medicaid (Med-QUEST)
Hawaii also expanded Medicaid. The 138% FPL threshold for 2026 in Hawaii is approximately:
- Single adult: $25,337
- Family of 2: $34,348
- Family of 3: $43,360
- Family of 4: $52,371
Hawaii operates Med-QUEST, its Medicaid managed care program. Eligibility determinations use the Hawaii FPL, not the contiguous state figures.
SNAP Eligibility Using Alaska and Hawaii FPL
SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) sets gross income eligibility at 130% FPL in most states. Alaska and Hawaii use their respective FPL figures for these calculations.
Alaska SNAP 130% FPL Limits (2026)
| Household Size | Annual Limit | Monthly Limit |
|---|
| 1 person | $25,935 | $2,161 |
| 2 people | $35,165 | $2,930 |
| 3 people | $44,395 | $3,700 |
| 4 people | $53,625 | $4,469 |
| 5 people | $62,855 | $5,238 |
| 6 people | $72,085 | $6,007 |
Hawaii SNAP 130% FPL Limits (2026)
| Household Size | Annual Limit | Monthly Limit |
|---|
| 1 person | $23,868 | $1,989 |
| 2 people | $32,357 | $2,696 |
| 3 people | $40,846 | $3,404 |
| 4 people | $49,335 | $4,111 |
| 5 people | $57,824 | $4,819 |
| 6 people | $66,313 | $5,526 |
Note that Alaska SNAP benefits are also adjusted through a separate cost-of-living factor that may increase the benefit amount beyond what contiguous state residents receive.
ACA Marketplace Subsidies in Alaska and Hawaii
For Affordable Care Act subsidies, Alaska and Hawaii residents use their state-specific FPL thresholds. Premium tax credits are available to households with income between 100% and 400% FPL. Enhanced subsidies enacted through the Inflation Reduction Act removed the 400% FPL cliff for some enrollees through 2025, with extensions pending congressional action.
For 2026 plan year coverage, residents in both states should verify current subsidy rules when shopping on the marketplace, as the thresholds depend on the applicable FPL for their state.
How to Check Eligibility Using Your State's FPL
If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, use the figures in the tables above when estimating your eligibility for any federal program. Key steps:
- Determine your household size. Count everyone in your tax household, including dependents.
- Calculate your gross monthly or annual income. Include wages, self-employment income, Social Security, and other regular income sources.
- Find the appropriate FPL threshold for your household size from the Alaska or Hawaii tables above.
- Divide your income by the FPL to get your FPL percentage. For example, if a family of 4 in Alaska earns $50,000, divide $50,000 by $41,250 to get approximately 121% FPL.
- Check the program's eligibility threshold. Medicaid is typically 138%, SNAP is 130%, CHIP is often 200%, and ACA subsidies start at 100% FPL.
You can also use our free screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to check eligibility across multiple programs at once. The screener accounts for your state's specific FPL figures automatically.
When Do the 2026 Guidelines Take Effect?
The 2026 poverty guidelines published by HHS in January 2026 took effect on January 17, 2026. Federal programs generally update their income limits in coordination with the new guidelines, though the exact implementation date varies by program.
SNAP typically updates its income limits at the start of the federal fiscal year in October, which means the 2026 guidelines may not apply to SNAP until October 2026 in some states. Medicaid and ACA subsidy calculations typically update earlier in the year. If you are near an eligibility threshold, it is worth checking with your state agency to confirm which year's guidelines apply to your current application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 FPL for a single person in Alaska?
The 2026 federal poverty guideline for a single person in Alaska is $19,950 per year ($1,663 per month). This is approximately 25 percent higher than the $15,960 threshold for the 48 contiguous states.
What is the 2026 FPL for a single person in Hawaii?
The 2026 federal poverty guideline for a single person in Hawaii is $18,360 per year ($1,530 per month). This is approximately 15 percent higher than the contiguous states baseline.
Why does Alaska have a higher FPL than Hawaii?
HHS sets Alaska's poverty guidelines higher because the state consistently has higher costs of living than Hawaii, driven by more extreme geographic isolation, higher energy costs, and higher transportation costs for goods. Both states receive higher thresholds than the continental United States, but Alaska's adjustment is larger.
Do all federal programs use the Alaska and Hawaii FPL adjustment?
Most major federal assistance programs use the geographic FPL adjustments, including Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, WIC, LIHEAP, and ACA marketplace subsidies. A small number of programs use a national figure or their own income calculation. Check program-specific rules when applying.
How often does HHS update the FPL for Alaska and Hawaii?
HHS updates the federal poverty guidelines annually, typically publishing them in January each year. The adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) to account for inflation. Both Alaska and Hawaii receive the same percentage inflation adjustment as the contiguous states, applied on top of their higher baseline figures.
If I live in Hawaii, does my income limit for Medicaid use Hawaii's FPL?
Yes. Hawaii Medicaid (Med-QUEST) uses the Hawaii federal poverty guidelines for eligibility determinations, not the contiguous states baseline. This means you may qualify at a higher dollar income than someone with the same household size in a continental state.
Where can I find the official 2026 FPL guidelines?
The official 2026 poverty guidelines are published by the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) at aspe.hhs.gov. The guidelines are also available in the Federal Register.
To check which programs you may qualify for based on your income and household size, use the free eligibility screener at benefitsusa.org/screener.
