What Is the 2026 Federal Poverty Level (FPL)?

The federal poverty level is a key consideration in assessing anyone’s eligibility to receive government assistance such as SNAP benefits. Your access to many state and federal safety net programs is often based on where you or your household falls on the federal poverty guidelines. For example, premiums on the federal health insurance exchange are defined against this metric, as are many forms of tax relief.

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Federal Poverty Level Defined

Government programs typically measure households on a sliding scale of incomes against the federal poverty level. For example, a household with an income that earns 100% of the poverty level or less may receive full benefits, while one that earns 300% of the poverty level may receive fewer. Most state and federal programs cap eligibility at 400% of the federal poverty level.

When the federal government refers to “income,” it is referring to modified adjusted gross income, which is not a number on your tax return. For most people, it’s the same or similar to adjusted gross income.

A “household” is typically defined based on tax status. Two spouses filing their taxes jointly, for example, would be considered a household of two people. A single mother who claims two children as her dependents would be considered a household of three. While there are some exceptions to this rule of thumb, in most cases, household size is defined by the number of people listed on a single tax form.

How and Why Poverty Levels Vary

Both state and federal governments rely on the federal poverty level, which is published by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The agency defines the poverty level based on household size, increasing the cap by $5,680for each member of the household past the first and adjusting it every year based on inflation and other factors. Poverty levels, according to the government, vary by location.

In 2026 HHS has set the federal poverty level for all contiguous 48 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories, the poverty level is defined as:

Lower 48 States

Household Size of 1: $15,960
Household Size of 2: $21,640
Household Size of 3: $27,320
Household Size of 4: $33,000
Household Size of 5: $38,680
Household Size of 6: $44,360
Household Size of 7: $50,040
Household Size of 8: $55,720

For households with more than eight people, add $5,680 per additional member of the household.

Alaska

Due to the significantly different costs associated with living in Alaska, the poverty level in this state is defined as:

Household Size of 1: $19,950
Household Size of 2: $27,050
Household Size of 3: $34,150
Household Size of 4: $41,250
Household Size of 5: $48,350
Household Size of 6: $55,450
Household Size of 7: $62,550
Household Size of 8: $69,650

For households with more than eight people, add $7,100 per additional member of the household.

Hawaii

Due to the significantly different costs associated with living in Hawaii, the poverty level in this state is defined as:

Household Size of 1: $18,360
Household Size of 2: $24,890
Household Size of 3: $31,420
Household Size of 4: $37,950
Household Size of 5: $44,480
Household Size of 6: $51,010
Household Size of 7: $57,540
Household Size of 8: $64,070

For households with more than eight people, add $6,530 per additional member of the household.

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How the Federal Poverty Level Can Determine Benefits

A snowy street in an inner city neighborhood.

Many assistance programs use the federal poverty level as a reference point rather than a strict cutoff. Eligibility is often based on all types of income falling within a certain range above or below the guideline, with different programs applying their own thresholds and rules. As a result, qualifying for one program does not guarantee eligibility for another.

Health coverage programs commonly rely on the federal poverty level to decide both eligibility and cost-sharing. Households with income closer to the guideline may qualify for more comprehensive assistance, such as Medicaid, while those above it may receive reduced support or none at all. Program transitions can occur when income changes, even if household circumstances remain largely the same.

Other public benefits apply the federal poverty level in different ways. Some programs allow specific deductions or exclusions when calculating taxable income, while others count most income sources. These differences can lead to varied outcomes for the same household across multiple benefit programs.

Because eligibility often changes at defined income points, small shifts in earnings can affect benefit access. This is why agencies emphasize accurate income reporting and why the federal poverty level functions as a framework rather than a precise measure of financial need.

Limitations of the Federal Poverty Level

Costs of living vary widely not just from state to state but, far more importantly, between urban and rural areas. For example, a Michigan resident living in the college and technology town of Ann Arbor will have costs of living comparable to that of Chicago or even Boston. Another resident of the same state living in its rural Upper Peninsula will pay a fraction of that. The federal poverty level does not account for that.

While the government does publish different poverty levels for Hawaii and Alaska, this is otherwise a blunt instrument. When government programs calculate benefits and tax credits, they cannot allow for the fact that a family earning 200% of the federal poverty level can live in upstate New York but will barely survive in Manhattan.

Bottom Line

The federal poverty level is a key metric for anyone seeking to benefit from state or federal safety net programs. The actual level is set by the Department of Health and Human Services, and it varies depending on the state you live in. It is subject to change yearly. When making personal finance decisions, it’s best to treat the numbers as a guide simply because there are so many variations in the cost of living within every state.

Personal Finance Tips

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When taking into account social safety net programs and tax credits, the U.S. has managed to decrease poverty significantly from the mid-20th to the early 21st century. That is, until the onset of COVID-19. As businesses have foundered and the economy has slowed dramatically, many U.S. households have fallen under the federal poverty line.