By The Guru Gazette Editorial Team · Reviewed by our Benefits Desk · Last Reviewed: June 2026 · Editorial Policy · Fact-Checking Policy
The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) — officially the HHS poverty guidelines — is the income yardstick that decides who qualifies for dozens of benefit programs, from Medicaid and SNAP to ACA Marketplace subsidies. For 2026 the guideline is $15,960 for one person and $33,000 for a family of four. This guide gives the full 2026 chart, explains how programs use it, and clears up a common point of confusion about which years guidelines apply.
Quick summary — 2026 Federal Poverty Level
- 2026 FPL: $15,960 (1 person) to $33,000 (family of 4).
- Add $5,680 for each additional person.
- Set each January by HHS for the 48 contiguous states & DC.
- Programs use percentages of the FPL (e.g., 138% Medicaid, 400% ACA cliff).
- Note: ACA 2026 subsidies use the 2025 guidelines — see below.
What is the Federal Poverty Level?
The Federal Poverty Level is a set of income thresholds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues every January. The figures rise with the cost of living and increase with household size. Although people say “poverty level,” the precise term is the poverty guidelines, which agencies use to set eligibility for means-tested programs. The guidelines below apply to the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia; Alaska and Hawaii use higher figures.
2026 Federal Poverty Level chart
| Household size | Annual income (100% FPL) | Monthly (≈) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 households with more than 8 people, add $5,680 for each additional person. Alaska and Hawaii have their own, higher guidelines — check the HHS tables for those states.
How programs use the Federal Poverty Level
Most programs do not cut off at exactly 100% FPL. Instead they use a percentage of it. Common 2026 examples:
| Program | Typical FPL threshold |
|---|---|
| Medicaid (expansion adults) | Up to 138% FPL |
| SNAP (food stamps) | 130% gross / 100% net income |
| ACA premium tax credit | 100%–400% FPL (cliff at 400%) |
| CHIP (children) | Varies by state, often 200%+ |
| Medicare Extra Help / MSP | Roughly 135%–150% FPL |
| WIC | Up to 185% FPL |
Thresholds vary by state and program, and some states set higher limits. Always confirm with the specific program.
A worked example
Suppose a family of three earns $40,000 in 2026. The 100% FPL for a family of three is $27,320. Dividing $40,000 by $27,320 gives about 146% of the FPL. That means the family is above the 138% Medicaid line in an expansion state, but well within the income range for ACA Marketplace subsidies and other programs that extend to 200% or 400% of the FPL. Knowing your FPL percentage is the fastest way to gauge which programs you may qualify for.
Poverty guidelines vs. poverty thresholds
Two different federal poverty measures exist, and they are easy to confuse. The poverty guidelines — the numbers in this article — are issued by HHS and decide eligibility for programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and ACA subsidies. The poverty thresholds are a separate, more detailed set of figures published by the U.S. Census Bureau and are used mainly for statistics, such as counting how many Americans live in poverty. When a benefit program asks for your income as a percentage of the federal poverty level, it almost always means the simpler HHS guidelines.
Using your FPL percentage to check benefits
Your FPL percentage is the single most useful number when screening for help. Once you know it, you can quickly tell which programs are in reach: under 138% may open Medicaid in expansion states; under 130% may qualify for SNAP; under 185% may qualify for WIC; and up to 400% may qualify for ACA premium tax credits (using the prior-year guidelines). Because each program counts income differently — some use gross income, others modified adjusted gross income — treat your FPL percentage as a starting screen, then confirm the exact rules with each program before applying.
Key takeaways
- 2026 FPL: $15,960 (1) to $33,000 (4); +$5,680 each more.
- Programs use percentages (138% Medicaid, 130% SNAP, 400% ACA).
- ACA 2026 uses the 2025 guidelines ($15,650 / $32,150).
- Alaska and Hawaii have higher guidelines.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong years guidelines — especially for ACA, which uses the prior year.
- Assuming a hard 100% cutoff — most programs reach 130%, 138%, 200%, or 400%.
- Forgetting Alaska/Hawaii use higher figures.
- Counting assets as income — the FPL is income-based.
- Using the wrong household size — it changes the threshold significantly.
Related resources
- Medicaid 2026 — eligibility up to 138% FPL.
- SNAP 2026 income limits — 130% gross / 100% net.
- ACA Subsidy Cliff 2026 — the 400% FPL cutoff.
- Premium Tax Credit 2026
- ACA Health Insurance 2026
- EITC 2026
- Child Tax Credit 2026
- WIC 2026 — up to 185% FPL.
- LIHEAP 2026 — home energy assistance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Federal Poverty Level for 2026?
For 2026, the Federal Poverty Level (HHS poverty guideline) is $15,960 for one person and $33,000 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and DC, adding $5,680 for each additional person.
Who sets the Federal Poverty Level?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues the poverty guidelines each January. They are used by federal and state agencies to set eligibility for means-tested benefit programs.
What is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level in 2026?
138% of the 2026 FPL is about $22,025 for one person and $45,540 for a family of four. Many states use 138% FPL as the Medicaid eligibility limit for expansion adults.
Why do ACA subsidies use a different FPL?
ACA Marketplace subsidies for 2026 coverage are calculated using the 2025 poverty guidelines ($15,650 for one person), because eligibility is based on the prior year’s figures. This differs from the 2026 guidelines used by most other programs.
Does the Federal Poverty Level count assets?
No. The poverty guidelines are based on household income and size, not assets. However, individual programs like SSI or some Medicaid categories may apply their own separate resource or asset limits.
Are Alaska and Hawaii different?
Yes. Alaska and Hawaii have their own, higher poverty guidelines to reflect their higher cost of living. The figures in this chart apply to the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.
How do I calculate my FPL percentage?
Divide your annual household income by the 100% FPL amount for your household size, then multiply by 100. For example, $40,000 for a family of three ($27,320 at 100%) is about 146% of the FPL.
How often does the Federal Poverty Level change?
The poverty guidelines are updated once a year, in January, to reflect inflation. Always use the guidelines for the correct year and the specific program you are checking.
The Guru Gazette is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with HHS or any government agency. Figures reflect the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (48 contiguous states & DC); Alaska and Hawaii differ, and ACA 2026 uses the 2025 guidelines. Confirm details with the relevant program. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, legal, medical, or benefits advice. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Sources
- HHS ASPE — 2026 Poverty Guidelines: https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines
- Federal Register — Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (2026): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/15/2026-00755/annual-update-of-the-hhs-poverty-guidelines
- Medicaid.gov — Eligibility: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/
- HealthCare.gov — Federal poverty level (FPL): https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/federal-poverty-level-fpl/