What Is the Federal Poverty Level and Why Does It Matter?

What is the federal poverty level?

The federal poverty level is an income limit set by the government each year. It shows the minimum income the government says a person or family needs to live. If your income is at or below this level, you may qualify for government assistance programs like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also called food stamps), Medicaid, and WIC (Women, Infants and Children).

The poverty level is different for each household size. Here are the 2026 poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.:

• 1 person: $15,960 a year
• 2 people: $21,640 a year
• 3 people: $27,320 a year
• 4 people: $33,000 a year
• 5 people: $38,680 a year
• 6 people: $44,360 a year
• 7 people: $50,040 a year
• 8 people: $55,720 a year

Alaska and Hawaii have higher poverty levels because the cost of living is higher there. In Alaska, the 2026 poverty level for a single person is $19,950 a year. In Hawaii, it is $18,360 a year.

The government updates these numbers every year, usually in January, to account for inflation and changes in the cost of living.

How programs actually use the poverty level

Here's an important thing to know: most benefit programs don't use exactly 100% of the poverty level. Instead, they use a percentage of it. This means the actual income limits are usually higher than the poverty level itself, so more people can qualify.

SNAP uses 130% of the poverty level for the gross income limit. For a single person in the 48 contiguous states and D.C., that works out to a monthly gross income limit of $1,696.

Medicaid in states that expanded the program uses up to 138% of the poverty level for working-age adults. This is another way the government makes sure help reaches people who are struggling, not just those in extreme poverty.

WIC uses 185% of the poverty level as the income limit. This is one reason why more families with young children may qualify for WIC than you might expect based on the basic poverty level.

Why programs use percentages instead of the exact poverty level

Programs use percentages because they recognize that the poverty level is a bare minimum. Many people earning more than the poverty level still struggle to afford food, medical care, and housing.

Using a percentage of the poverty level means the program can help people who are working but not earning enough to cover their basic needs. It's a practical way to define who needs assistance.

Some programs also allow deductions before they count your income. These deductions might include work expenses, child care costs, or housing costs. When you can subtract these expenses from your gross income, it's easier to qualify even if your total earnings seem too high on paper.

State differences in how poverty levels are used

Some states use something called "broad-based categorical eligibility." This means they may raise the income limit even higher than the federal requirement, remove the asset limit (the amount of money or property you can own), or allow more deductions from your income. This makes it easier for people to qualify for benefits in those states.

Each program handles eligibility differently, and each state may have its own rules. To find out exactly how your state applies the poverty level for a specific program, check your state agency's website or use our benefits screener.

How to find out if you qualify

The easiest way to check if you might qualify for benefits is to use our free benefits screener. It asks you a few questions about your situation and shows what programs you may be eligible for.

You can also look up the specific income limits for individual programs on our site or apply directly to a program through your state agency. Applying for benefits is always free, and only the agency decides whether you actually qualify.

If you're not sure where to start, visit our help page to find resources for your situation.

Why the poverty level matters even if you earn more than it

The federal poverty level is a starting point, not a hard cutoff. Because most programs use a percentage of it and allow deductions, many people earning well above the poverty level still qualify for assistance.

The poverty level also matters because it's adjusted every year to keep up with inflation. This means the income limits for benefits also rise each year, so your eligibility can change even if your own income stays the same.

If you've been turned down for benefits before, it's worth checking again each year to see if the updated limits might help you qualify now.