2026 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Chart
Last updated: January 2026 | Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ASPE
The 2026 Federal Poverty Level for a single person in the 48 contiguous states is $15,650 per year ($1,304 per month). For a family of four, the 2026 poverty line is $32,150 per year ($2,679 per month). These guidelines determine eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidies, and most federal benefit programs.
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Check My Eligibility2026 FPL for 48 Contiguous States and DC
| Household Size | 100% | 130% | 138% | 150% | 185% | 200% | 250% | 400% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,650 | $20,345 | $21,597 | $23,475 | $28,953 | $31,300 | $39,125 | $62,600 |
| 2 | $21,150 | $27,495 | $29,187 | $31,725 | $39,128 | $42,300 | $52,875 | $84,600 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $34,645 | $36,777 | $39,975 | $49,303 | $53,300 | $66,625 | $106,600 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $41,795 | $44,367 | $48,225 | $59,478 | $64,300 | $80,375 | $128,600 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $48,945 | $51,957 | $56,475 | $69,653 | $75,300 | $94,125 | $150,600 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $56,095 | $59,547 | $64,725 | $79,828 | $86,300 | $107,875 | $172,600 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $63,245 | $67,137 | $72,975 | $90,003 | $97,300 | $121,625 | $194,600 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $70,395 | $74,727 | $81,225 | $100,178 | $108,300 | $135,375 | $216,600 |
| Each additional | $5,500 | $7,150 | $7,590 | $8,250 | $10,175 | $11,000 | $13,750 | $22,000 |
Applies to all states except Alaska and Hawaii.
Source: HHS ASPE 2026 Poverty Guidelines
2026 FPL for Alaska
| Household Size | 100% | 130% | 138% | 150% | 185% | 200% | 250% | 400% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $19,563 | $25,432 | $26,997 | $29,345 | $36,192 | $39,126 | $48,908 | $78,252 |
| 2 | $26,438 | $34,369 | $36,484 | $39,657 | $48,910 | $52,876 | $66,095 | $105,752 |
| 3 | $33,313 | $43,307 | $45,972 | $49,970 | $61,629 | $66,626 | $83,283 | $133,252 |
| 4 | $40,188 | $52,244 | $55,459 | $60,282 | $74,348 | $80,376 | $100,470 | $160,752 |
| 5 | $47,063 | $61,182 | $64,947 | $70,595 | $87,067 | $94,126 | $117,658 | $188,252 |
| 6 | $53,938 | $70,119 | $74,434 | $80,907 | $99,785 | $107,876 | $134,845 | $215,752 |
| 7 | $60,813 | $79,057 | $83,922 | $91,220 | $112,504 | $121,626 | $152,033 | $243,252 |
| 8 | $67,688 | $87,994 | $93,409 | $101,532 | $125,223 | $135,376 | $169,220 | $270,752 |
| Each additional | $6,875 | $8,938 | $9,488 | $10,313 | $12,719 | $13,750 | $17,188 | $27,500 |
Alaska has a separate, higher poverty guideline due to higher cost of living.
Source: HHS ASPE 2026 Poverty Guidelines
2026 FPL for Hawaii
| Household Size | 100% | 130% | 138% | 150% | 185% | 200% | 250% | 400% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $17,998 | $23,397 | $24,837 | $26,997 | $33,296 | $35,996 | $44,995 | $71,992 |
| 2 | $24,322 | $31,619 | $33,564 | $36,483 | $44,996 | $48,644 | $60,805 | $97,288 |
| 3 | $30,647 | $39,841 | $42,293 | $45,971 | $56,697 | $61,294 | $76,618 | $122,588 |
| 4 | $36,973 | $48,065 | $51,023 | $55,460 | $68,400 | $73,946 | $92,433 | $147,892 |
| 5 | $43,298 | $56,287 | $59,751 | $64,947 | $80,101 | $86,596 | $108,245 | $173,192 |
| 6 | $49,622 | $64,509 | $68,478 | $74,433 | $91,801 | $99,244 | $124,055 | $198,488 |
| 7 | $55,947 | $72,731 | $77,207 | $83,921 | $103,502 | $111,894 | $139,868 | $223,788 |
| 8 | $62,272 | $80,954 | $85,935 | $93,408 | $115,203 | $124,544 | $155,680 | $249,088 |
| Each additional | $6,324 | $8,221 | $8,727 | $9,486 | $11,699 | $12,648 | $15,810 | $25,296 |
Hawaii has a separate, higher poverty guideline due to higher cost of living.
Source: HHS ASPE 2026 Poverty Guidelines
2026 FPL Monthly Income Amounts (48 States + DC)
| Household Size | 100% | 138% | 200% | 400% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,304 | $1,800 | $2,608 | $5,217 |
| 2 | $1,763 | $2,432 | $3,525 | $7,050 |
| 3 | $2,221 | $3,065 | $4,442 | $8,883 |
| 4 | $2,679 | $3,697 | $5,358 | $10,717 |
| 5 | $3,138 | $4,330 | $6,275 | $12,550 |
| 6 | $3,596 | $4,962 | $7,192 | $14,383 |
| 7 | $4,054 | $5,595 | $8,108 | $16,217 |
| 8 | $4,513 | $6,227 | $9,025 | $18,050 |
Monthly amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar.
Source: HHS ASPE 2026 Poverty Guidelines
What Each FPL Percentage Means
Different benefit programs use different FPL percentages as their income cutoff. Here is what each common threshold means and which programs use it.
| FPL Percentage | Programs That Use This Threshold |
|---|---|
| 100% FPL | ACA cost-sharing reductions, some Medicaid categories |
| 130% FPL | SNAP (food stamps) gross income limit |
| 138% FPL | Medicaid (adults in expansion states) |
| 150% FPL | LIHEAP energy assistance, QMB Medicare Savings |
| 185% FPL | WIC nutrition program, free school meals |
| 200% FPL | CHIP (children's health insurance), SLMB Medicare Savings |
| 250% FPL | ACA enhanced cost-sharing reductions, some state programs |
| 400% FPL | ACA premium tax credits (marketplace subsidies) |
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Check My EligibilityFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)?
The Federal Poverty Level is a measure of income issued each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It is used to determine eligibility for many federal and state benefit programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, ACA marketplace subsidies, and more. The FPL varies by household size and is updated annually.
When are the 2026 FPL guidelines released?
The 2026 Federal Poverty Level guidelines were released in January 2026 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They take effect for program eligibility determinations shortly after publication in the Federal Register.
Why are Alaska and Hawaii FPL amounts different?
Alaska and Hawaii have higher costs of living than the 48 contiguous states. To account for this, the federal government sets separate, higher poverty guidelines for these two states. Alaska's FPL is 25% higher and Hawaii's is 15% higher than the amounts for the contiguous states.
What does "138% FPL" mean for Medicaid?
In states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, adults with household incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for Medicaid coverage. This means your income can be up to 38% above the poverty line and you may still be eligible for free or low-cost health insurance through Medicaid.
How is FPL used for SNAP (food stamps) eligibility?
SNAP uses the FPL to set income limits. In most states, your gross household income must be at or below 130% of the FPL, and your net income (after deductions) must be at or below 100% of the FPL. Some states use Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) to raise the gross income limit higher, sometimes to 200% FPL.
How do ACA marketplace subsidies use the FPL?
The Affordable Care Act uses the FPL to determine eligibility for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions on health insurance purchased through the marketplace. Households with incomes up to 400% of the FPL may qualify for premium subsidies, and those under 250% FPL may get additional cost-sharing help.
Does the FPL change every year?
Yes, the Federal Poverty Level is updated annually, usually in January, to account for inflation. The amounts increase slightly each year. Program eligibility thresholds based on FPL percentages (like 138% for Medicaid) stay the same, but the dollar amounts they represent change with each update.