The 2026 federal poverty level (FPL) is $15,960 a year for one person and $33,000 a year for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. These figures come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which updates the poverty guidelines every January. Most government assistance programs do not use the flat 100% number as their cutoff. Instead, they set eligibility at a percentage of the FPL, such as 138% for Medicaid in expansion states or 130% for SNAP. This chart breaks down the full 2026 guidelines by household size and shows exactly what each common percentage threshold means in dollars.
2026 Federal Poverty Level Chart by Household Size
This table shows the base 2026 FPL (100%) for the 48 contiguous states and D.C., along with monthly equivalents.
| Household Size | Annual FPL (100%) | Monthly FPL |
|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $1,330 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $1,803 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $2,277 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $2,750 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $3,223 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $3,697 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $4,170 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $4,643 |
For each person beyond 8, add $5,680 a year ($473 a month) to the household total.
Alaska and Hawaii Have Their Own Charts
Alaska and Hawaii use separate, higher guidelines because of their higher cost of living.
| Household Size | Alaska (100% FPL) | Hawaii (100% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 | $19,950 | $18,360 |
| 2 | $27,050 | $24,890 |
| 3 | $34,150 | $31,420 |
| 4 | $41,250 | $37,950 |
| 5 | $48,350 | $44,480 |
| 6 | $55,450 | $51,010 |
| 7 | $62,550 | $57,540 |
| 8 | $69,650 | $64,070 |
In Alaska, add $7,100 for each additional person. In Hawaii, add $6,530 for each additional person.
FPL Percentage Chart: What 100% to 400% Means in Dollars
Programs rarely use the raw FPL figure. This chart converts the 2026 guidelines into the most common percentage thresholds used to determine eligibility, for the 48 contiguous states and D.C.
| Household Size | 100% | 130% | 138% | 150% | 185% | 200% | 250% | 400% |
|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $20,748 | $22,025 | $23,940 | $29,526 | $31,920 | $39,900 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $28,132 | $29,863 | $32,460 | $40,034 | $43,280 | $54,100 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $35,516 | $37,702 | $40,980 | $50,542 | $54,640 | $68,300 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $42,900 | $45,540 | $49,500 | $61,050 | $66,000 | $82,500 | $132,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $50,284 | $53,378 | $58,020 | $71,558 | $77,360 | $96,700 | $154,720 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $57,668 | $61,217 | $66,540 | $82,066 | $88,720 | $110,900 | $177,440 |
Use this chart alongside the program list below to see which percentage applies to which type of benefit.
Which Percentage Applies to Which Program
| Program | Typical FPL Percentage | What It Covers |
|---|
| Medicaid (expansion states, adults) | 138% | Health coverage for low-income adults |
| Medicaid (children, most states) | 200% to 300% | Varies by state |
| CHIP | 200% to 300% | Children's health coverage |
| SNAP (gross income test) | 130% | Food assistance |
| SNAP (net income test) | 100% | Food assistance, after deductions |
| WIC | 185% | Women, infants, and children nutrition support |
| LIHEAP | 150% (state-set) | Home heating and cooling assistance |
| Free school meals | 130% | National School Lunch and Breakfast programs |
| Reduced-price school meals | 185% | National School Lunch and Breakfast programs |
| ACA premium tax credits | 100% to 400% | Marketplace health insurance subsidies |
| ACA cost-sharing reductions | 100% to 250% | Lower deductibles and copays on Silver plans |
| Medicare Savings Programs | 100% to 150% (varies by program) | Help paying Medicare premiums and cost-sharing |
| Lifeline | 135% | Phone and internet discount |
Exact percentages vary by state for Medicaid, CHIP, and LIHEAP, since states have flexibility to set their own thresholds within federal ranges.
Important 2026 Change: The ACA 400% Cliff Is Back
For 2021 through 2025, the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act removed the 400% FPL ceiling for ACA premium tax credits, so no household was ever priced out of subsidies entirely. That enhancement expired at the end of 2025. Starting January 1, 2026, the original ACA rule is back in effect: households earning more than 400% of the FPL do not qualify for any premium tax credit, no matter how high local premiums run.
For a family of four, that means income above $132,000 now results in $0 in marketplace subsidies. Households near that line, especially older enrollees whose premiums are naturally higher, should check their exact FPL percentage before assuming they still qualify for the discount they received in prior years.
How the 2026 FPL Changed From 2025
The 2026 guidelines rose modestly from 2025. For one person, the FPL increased from $15,650 to $15,960, an increase of $310, or about 2%. For a family of four, it rose from $32,150 to $33,000, an increase of $850, or about 2.6%. HHS noted that due to a government data gap in October 2025, the 2026 figures were calculated using 11 months of Consumer Price Index data instead of the usual 12.
Because the FPL rose, the dollar ceilings for every percentage-based program also rose. Someone whose income put them just above a program's cutoff in 2025 may now fall under the 2026 threshold.
How to Use This Chart to Check Your Own Eligibility
Follow these steps to figure out where your household falls.
Step 1: Add up your gross annual household income. Include wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and any other regular taxable income for everyone in the household.
Step 2: Count your household size. This usually means everyone who lives together and is claimed on the same tax return, though some programs define "household" differently.
Step 3: Divide your income by the matching FPL figure. Use the 100% column in the first table above for your household size. Divide your income by that number, then multiply by 100 to get your percentage.
For example, a family of four earning $48,000 divides that by $33,000, giving 1.45, or 145% of the FPL.
Step 4: Compare your percentage to the program chart. At 145% FPL, that family of four would qualify for SNAP under a state's Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility rules (often up to 200%), would likely qualify for ACA premium tax credits, but would fall short of the 138% Medicaid expansion cutoff by a wide margin on the high side, meaning they would not qualify for Medicaid but would qualify for marketplace subsidies instead.
Step 5: Apply for the programs you qualify for. Each program has a separate application, though some states let you apply for several at once through a combined benefits portal.
What Counts as Income for FPL Calculations
Most programs use a version of gross income, though the specific rules differ:
- Medicaid and ACA marketplace generally use Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, and unemployment compensation, with certain adjustments.
- SNAP starts with gross income but allows deductions for things like housing costs, childcare, and medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members, which can lower your countable income below the raw FPL comparison.
- LIHEAP and WIC rules vary by state and by local agency, so a household near a cutoff should confirm the exact income test with the local office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal poverty level for 2026?
The 2026 federal poverty level is $15,960 a year for one person and $33,000 a year for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and D.C. Alaska and Hawaii use higher figures.
What is 138% of the federal poverty level in 2026?
For one person, 138% of the 2026 FPL is $22,025. For a family of four, it is $45,540. This is the income cutoff used for Medicaid eligibility for adults in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
What is 200% of the federal poverty level in 2026?
For one person, 200% of the 2026 FPL is $31,920. For a family of four, it is $66,000. Many states use 200% as a cutoff for children's Medicaid and CHIP coverage.
What is 400% of the federal poverty level in 2026?
For one person, 400% of the 2026 FPL is $63,840. For a family of four, it is $132,000. As of 2026, this is a hard ceiling for ACA premium tax credits, since the enhanced subsidy rules that removed the 400% cap expired at the end of 2025.
Does the FPL chart change for Alaska and Hawaii?
Yes. Alaska's 2026 FPL for one person is $19,950 and Hawaii's is $18,360, both higher than the $15,960 figure used in the 48 contiguous states and D.C.
How often does the federal poverty level chart update?
HHS publishes updated poverty guidelines every January in the Federal Register. Programs typically begin using the new figures within 30 to 60 days of publication, though exact timing depends on the program and the state administering it.
Is the poverty guideline the same as the poverty threshold?
No. The poverty guidelines, sometimes called the FPL, are the simplified HHS figures used for program eligibility. The poverty thresholds are a separate, more detailed set of figures published by the Census Bureau used for statistical reporting, such as estimating the national poverty rate.
Can I qualify for benefits above 100% of the FPL?
Yes. Most programs set their cutoffs well above 100%. SNAP typically uses 130%, WIC uses 185%, ACA subsidies extend up to 400%, and many state Medicaid and CHIP programs for children reach 200% to 300% of the FPL.
Do all states use the same FPL percentage for Medicaid?
No. States that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act use 138% of FPL for most adults. States that did not expand Medicaid often have much lower income limits, and some exclude childless adults from Medicaid regardless of income.
