2026 Federal Poverty Level Reference
Many programs use the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) as their income cutoff. The 2026 FPL figures below apply to the contiguous 48 states and D.C.
| Household Size | 100% FPL | 200% FPL | 250% FPL |
|---|
| 1 | $15,060 | $30,120 | $37,650 |
| 2 | $20,440 | $40,880 | $51,100 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $51,640 | $64,550 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $62,400 | $78,000 |
| 5 | $36,580 | $73,160 | $91,450 |
Note: Alaska and Hawaii have higher FPL thresholds. Income is typically measured as net monthly or annual household income before taxes.
Medicaid Vision Benefits
Medicaid is the most comprehensive source of vision coverage for low-income people, but coverage varies significantly by state.
For children under 21, federal law requires states to cover eye exams and corrective lenses under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit. This means children enrolled in Medicaid are generally entitled to free vision care, including eyeglasses, as a federal mandate.
For adults 21 and older, vision benefits are optional. Most states offer some coverage, but the scope differs. Some states cover one pair of glasses per year with an eye exam. Others cover only medically necessary eye care (such as treatment after surgery or injury). A handful of states, including Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming, have historically offered minimal or no routine vision coverage for adults under standard Medicaid.
To check your state's Medicaid vision benefit, contact your state Medicaid office or review your plan documents if you are already enrolled. You can also use the Benefits Navigator screener at /screener to check whether you may qualify for Medicaid and what programs are available in your state.
How to Apply for Medicaid
- Visit HealthCare.gov or your state's Medicaid portal.
- Create an account and start a new application.
- Enter your household size, income, and address.
- Submit the application. Eligibility is usually determined within a few days to a few weeks.
- Once enrolled, call your plan's member services line to find in-network eye doctors and confirm your vision benefit.
New Eyes for the Needy
New Eyes for the Needy is a national nonprofit that provides eyeglass vouchers to low-income adults and children. Founded in 1932, it is one of the oldest and most established free eyeglass programs in the country.
Eligibility requirements:
- Household income below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
- A valid eyeglasses prescription dated within the last 24 months, including pupillary distance (PD) measurement
- U.S. resident
What you get: An e-voucher that lets you order eyeglasses through a partnered online ordering site. Basic frames and lenses are free. Lens upgrades (progressives, tinted, blue-light filter) are available at a discounted out-of-pocket cost.
Important: New Eyes does not cover eye exams. You must already have a current prescription before applying.
How to Apply to New Eyes for the Needy
- Gather your eyeglasses prescription (must include pupillary distance measurement).
- Go to new-eyes.org and click "Apply for Eyeglasses."
- Complete the online application with household income and prescription information.
- Pay the $15 non-refundable application fee.
- If approved, you will receive an e-voucher number by email with instructions to order your glasses online.
The process takes a few days to a week for review. If you are working with a social services agency, you may be able to apply through them and have the agency verify your eligibility.
VSP Eyes of Hope
VSP Eyes of Hope is the charitable arm of VSP Global, one of the largest vision insurance companies in the U.S. It provides no-cost eye exams and glasses through two channels: a partner referral program and mobile vision clinics.
Income requirement: At or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Who it serves: Uninsured adults and children who do not have any vision coverage through private insurance or a government program.
Current status note: As of recent reports, VSP Eyes of Hope has paused some gift certificate distributions due to high demand and expects to reopen access through community partners at a future date. Mobile clinic events continue. Check vspvision.com for current availability.
How to Access VSP Eyes of Hope
Through a community partner:
- Contact a local school, community health center, or social services agency to find out if they are a VSP Eyes of Hope partner.
- Ask the partner organization to submit a referral on your behalf.
- Once approved, you receive a certificate for a free exam and glasses through a participating VSP network provider.
Through a mobile clinic:
- Visit vspvision.com and look for mobile clinic events near you.
- Events are held in partnership with local nonprofits and typically serve first-come, first-served.
- Bring proof of income if available, though mobile events often serve whoever shows up.
Lions Club LEAP (Lions Eyeglasses Assistance Program)
The Lions Clubs International Foundation operates a vision assistance program through local clubs across the country. Individual clubs can sponsor eligible residents for eye exams and eyeglasses.
Income requirement: Monthly income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and no existing vision coverage.
What you get: Sponsorship for an eye exam and eyeglasses, coordinated through your local Lions Club. Each club handles this differently, and funding availability varies by location.
How to Get Help Through Lions Club
- Find your local Lions Club at lionsclubs.org using your zip code.
- Contact the club directly by phone or email and ask about their vision assistance program.
- Explain your situation and income level. The club will determine if they have current capacity to assist.
- If approved, the club will coordinate the exam and glasses through a local provider they work with.
Because this program runs through volunteer clubs, availability depends heavily on local club resources and current funding. Contacting a few nearby clubs increases your chances of finding one that can help.
EyeCare America
EyeCare America is a program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. It connects older adults with volunteer ophthalmologists for free medical eye exams.
Who qualifies:
- U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Age 65 or older and at risk for glaucoma
- No HMO, PPO, or private vision insurance
- No VA eye care benefits
- No ophthalmologist visit in the past three or more years
What you get: A comprehensive medical eye exam at no charge, plus up to one year of follow-up care for any condition diagnosed during the initial visit. EyeCare America does not provide eyeglasses.
To check eligibility and find a volunteer doctor near you, call 877-887-6327 or visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology website.
OneSight Voucher Program
OneSight is a nonprofit backed by Luxottica (the parent company of LensCrafters and Target Optical). Through the OnSite Voucher Program, eligible individuals can receive free eyeglasses at participating retail locations.
How it works: A nonprofit organization, such as a school, community health center, church, or Red Cross chapter, verifies your financial need and vision situation. They provide you with a referral letter. You take that letter along with a valid prescription to a participating LensCrafters or Target Optical location to receive glasses at no charge.
To get started: Contact local nonprofits, community health centers, or social service agencies to ask if they participate in the OneSight referral program. Not all nonprofits are enrolled, so you may need to call a few to find a participating organization.
Low-Cost Alternatives When Free Programs Are Not Available
If you do not qualify for free programs or face a wait, these options can significantly reduce costs:
- Community health centers (FQHCs): Federally Qualified Health Centers offer vision services on a sliding fee scale based on income. Many have on-site optometrists or referral partnerships. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
- Optometry school clinics: Many optometry schools offer reduced-cost exams performed by supervised students. Glasses are often available at significantly lower prices.
- Walmart Vision Center and Costco Optical: Prices for basic frames and single-vision lenses can be well under $100.
- Online retailers: After getting a prescription, sites like Zenni Optical and EyeBuyDirect sell basic glasses starting around $10 to $20.
How to Get a Free or Low-Cost Eye Exam
Several of the programs above require a current prescription before you can apply for glasses. If you do not have one, here are ways to get an affordable exam:
- Medicaid covers eye exams for enrolled members. Apply first if you are income-eligible.
- EyeCare America provides free exams for seniors at risk for glaucoma.
- VSP Eyes of Hope mobile clinics include an on-site exam.
- Community health centers often offer exams on a sliding scale.
- Many retail opticians (Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart) charge $50 to $75 for a basic exam without insurance.
Can Children Get Free Glasses?
Yes. Children on Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have a federal right to vision care including eyeglasses under the EPSDT benefit. This applies in all states regardless of whether the state offers adult vision benefits. If your child is enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, contact your plan to confirm covered providers and how to order covered glasses.
For children who are not enrolled in Medicaid, VSP Eyes of Hope, New Eyes for the Needy, Lions Club, and OneSight all serve children along with adults. Schools are also often a pathway into these programs, since school nurses can sometimes submit referrals on behalf of students.
Check What You Qualify For
If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid or other benefits that could cover vision care, the Benefits Navigator screener checks eligibility across multiple programs at once and shows you next steps. It takes a few minutes and is completely free.
Check your eligibility at /screener
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a prescription to get free glasses?
Most programs that provide eyeglasses, including New Eyes for the Needy and OneSight, require a current prescription dated within the last 12 to 24 months. Programs like VSP Eyes of Hope and Lions Club typically include an eye exam as part of the benefit. If you need an exam first, look into Medicaid, community health centers, or optometry school clinics.
Does Medicare cover eyeglasses?
Standard Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine eye exams or prescription eyeglasses. The exception is after cataract surgery with an intraocular lens implant, where Medicare covers one pair of standard frames. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans vary and many include some vision coverage. If you have Medicare Advantage, review your plan's vision benefit or call your plan directly.
How long does it take to get glasses through these programs?
Processing times vary by program. New Eyes for the Needy typically takes a few days to a week for approval, then additional time to order and receive glasses. Lions Club depends on local coordination and can take a few weeks. Medicaid coverage is usable as soon as you find an in-network provider, often within days of enrollment.
Can undocumented immigrants get free eyeglasses?
Nonprofit programs like New Eyes for the Needy, VSP Eyes of Hope, and Lions Club typically do not require immigration status verification. Community health centers also serve patients regardless of immigration status on a sliding fee scale. Standard Medicaid requires lawful presence, though Emergency Medicaid and some state-funded programs have different rules depending on where you live.
What if I cannot afford the $15 New Eyes application fee?
Contact a local social services agency or community action program. Agencies can sometimes submit applications on behalf of clients and may have funds to cover the application fee. 211 (dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org) is a free helpline that connects callers to local assistance programs and can help identify resources in your area.
Are free glasses available for seniors?
Yes. EyeCare America provides free eye exams to adults 65 and older at risk for glaucoma. New Eyes for the Needy, VSP Eyes of Hope, Lions Club, and OneSight all serve adults of any age. Seniors on Medicaid are covered under their plan's vision benefit if available. Those with Medicare Advantage should check their plan for included vision benefits.
What is the income limit for most free eyeglass programs?
The most common threshold is 200% to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. For a single adult in 2026, that translates to roughly $30,120 (200% FPL) to $37,650 (250% FPL) in annual income. For a family of four, the range is approximately $62,400 to $78,000. Some programs, like VSP Eyes of Hope, use 200% FPL. Others, like New Eyes for the Needy, use 250% FPL as the cutoff.
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