The 2026 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is an important income measure used to determine eligibility for many federal, state, and local assistance programs.
The 2026 federal poverty guidelines are published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The amount depends on household size and location.
This guide provides the 2026 poverty level, income limits by household size, and common percentage levels including 100%, 125%, 150%, 200%, 250%, 300%, and 400% of the federal poverty level.
What Is the Federal Poverty Level?
The Federal Poverty Level, commonly abbreviated as FPL, is a measure used by government programs to determine financial eligibility.
Technically, HHS refers to these figures as the poverty guidelines. The term “federal poverty level” is commonly used to describe them, but the two terms can have different technical meanings.
The 2026 poverty guidelines are used by various programs and organizations to determine whether a person’s or family’s income falls below a particular percentage of the federal poverty guideline.
Common percentages include:
- 100% FPL
- 125% FPL
- 133% FPL
- 138% FPL
- 150% FPL
- 185% FPL
- 200% FPL
- 250% FPL
- 300% FPL
- 400% FPL
Different programs use different percentages and may also have additional eligibility requirements.
2026 Federal Poverty Level for the 48 Contiguous States
For 2026, the federal poverty guideline for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. is:
| Household Size | 100% FPL |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 |
| 2 | $21,640 |
| 3 | $27,320 |
| 4 | $33,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 |
| 6 | $44,360 |
| 7 | $50,040 |
| 8 | $55,720 |
For households with more than 8 people, add $5,680 for each additional person.
2026 Federal Poverty Level Chart by Percentage
The following chart shows commonly used percentages of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.
| Household Size | 100% | 125% | 150% | 200% | 250% | 300% | 400% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $19,950 | $23,940 | $31,920 | $39,900 | $47,880 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $27,050 | $32,460 | $43,280 | $54,100 | $64,920 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $34,150 | $40,980 | $54,640 | $68,300 | $81,960 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $41,250 | $49,500 | $66,000 | $82,500 | $99,000 | $132,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $48,350 | $58,020 | $77,360 | $96,700 | $116,040 | $154,720 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $55,450 | $66,540 | $88,720 | $110,900 | $133,080 | $177,440 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $62,550 | $75,060 | $100,080 | $125,100 | $150,120 | $200,160 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $69,650 | $83,580 | $111,440 | $139,300 | $167,160 | $222,880 |
These percentages are calculated from the official 2026 HHS poverty guidelines.
What Is 100% of the Federal Poverty Level?
100% FPL means income equal to the federal poverty guideline for your household size.
For example, for a household of four in the 48 contiguous states, the 2026 guideline is $33,000.
Therefore:
- 100% FPL = $33,000
- 125% FPL = $41,250
- 150% FPL = $49,500
- 200% FPL = $66,000
- 250% FPL = $82,500
- 300% FPL = $99,000
- 400% FPL = $132,000
What Is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level?
200% FPL means twice the applicable federal poverty guideline.
For 2026, 200% FPL is:
- 1 person: $31,920
- 2 people: $43,280
- 3 people: $54,640
- 4 people: $66,000
- 5 people: $77,360
- 6 people: $88,720
- 7 people: $100,080
- 8 people: $111,440
A program using a 200% federal poverty level income limit would generally compare household income with the applicable amount, although the program may have its own definition of income and household.
What Is 400% of the Federal Poverty Level?
400% FPL is four times the applicable federal poverty guideline.
For 2026:
- 1 person: $63,840
- 2 people: $86,560
- 3 people: $109,280
- 4 people: $132,000
- 5 people: $154,720
- 6 people: $177,440
- 7 people: $200,160
- 8 people: $222,880
The 400% FPL income limit is particularly important for certain health insurance and financial-assistance calculations.
2026 Poverty Level for a Family of 4
One of the most common searches is “2026 poverty level for a family of 4.”
For a household of four in the 48 contiguous states and D.C., the 2026 guideline is $33,000.
| Percentage | Income |
|---|---|
| 100% | $33,000 |
| 125% | $41,250 |
| 150% | $49,500 |
| 200% | $66,000 |
| 250% | $82,500 |
| 300% | $99,000 |
| 400% | $132,000 |
2026 Poverty Level for a Single Person
For one person, the 2026 federal poverty guideline is $15,960 in the 48 contiguous states and D.C.
| Percentage | Income |
|---|---|
| 100% | $15,960 |
| 125% | $19,950 |
| 150% | $23,940 |
| 200% | $31,920 |
| 250% | $39,900 |
| 300% | $47,880 |
| 400% | $63,840 |
2026 Poverty Guidelines for Alaska
Alaska has separate federal poverty guidelines.
For 2026:
| Household Size | 100% FPL |
|---|---|
| 1 | $19,950 |
| 2 | $27,050 |
| 3 | $34,150 |
| 4 | $41,250 |
| 5 | $48,350 |
| 6 | $55,450 |
| 7 | $62,550 |
| 8 | $69,650 |
For households larger than eight people, add $7,100 for each additional person.
2026 Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii
Hawaii also has separate federal poverty guidelines.
| Household Size | 100% FPL |
|---|---|
| 1 | $18,360 |
| 2 | $24,890 |
| 3 | $31,420 |
| 4 | $37,950 |
| 5 | $44,480 |
| 6 | $51,010 |
| 7 | $57,540 |
| 8 | $64,070 |
For households larger than eight people, add $6,530 for each additional person.
What Programs Use the Federal Poverty Guidelines?
The federal poverty guidelines are used by numerous programs to determine financial eligibility.
Programs can use different percentages of the guidelines, so being above 100% FPL does not automatically mean that you are ineligible for assistance.
Examples of programs that may use the poverty guidelines include:
- Medicaid
- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Head Start
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Community Services Block Grant programs
- Certain health care assistance programs
Eligibility rules vary by program and state.
Is the Federal Poverty Level Used for Taxes?
The federal poverty guidelines are not a general federal income tax bracket.
Your federal income tax is calculated using tax rules involving taxable income, filing status, deductions, credits, and other factors.
However, poverty-level percentages can be relevant to certain programs and tax-related benefits.
For example, some government programs use household income measured against a percentage of the federal poverty guidelines.
It is therefore important not to confuse federal poverty guidelines with federal income tax brackets.
Does the IRS Use the Federal Poverty Level?
Not every tax credit or tax program uses the federal poverty guidelines.
For example, HHS specifically notes that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) does not use the poverty guidelines to determine eligibility.
This is an important distinction because seeing an income limit expressed as a percentage of FPL does not mean that the same limit applies to every federal tax benefit.
How Is the Federal Poverty Level Calculated?
HHS updates the poverty guidelines each year.
The 2026 guidelines were calculated using changes in consumer prices. HHS explains that the 2026 calculation used available 2025 CPI-U data compared with 2024 data.
The guidelines are generally published each year in January.
Federal Poverty Level vs. Poverty Threshold
The terms poverty level, poverty guideline, and poverty threshold are often used interchangeably online, but they are not technically identical.
The Census Bureau poverty thresholds are primarily used for statistical purposes, including measuring poverty in the United States.
The HHS poverty guidelines are simplified figures used for administrative purposes, including determining financial eligibility for certain programs.
This distinction matters when researching eligibility requirements.
How to Find Your Federal Poverty Level
To determine your 2026 FPL:
- Determine your household or family size.
- Determine which geographic guideline applies to you.
- Find the applicable 2026 poverty guideline.
- Multiply the guideline by the percentage required by the program.
For example, a family of four in the 48 contiguous states has a 2026 guideline of $33,000.
If a program uses 200% FPL:
$33,000 × 2 = $66,000
Therefore, 200% of the 2026 federal poverty guideline for that household is $66,000.
2026 Federal Poverty Level Calculator
If you need to determine a specific percentage of the federal poverty level, you can calculate it using:
Federal Poverty Level × FPL Percentage = Income Limit
For example:
$33,000 × 250% = $82,500
So a household of four in the 48 contiguous states with income of $82,500 is at 250% of the 2026 federal poverty guideline.
Remember that individual programs may use different definitions of household and income.
The 2026 Federal Poverty Level is an important income guideline used for determining eligibility for many assistance and health-related programs.
The applicable amount depends primarily on household size and location, and many programs use a percentage of the federal poverty guideline rather than 100% FPL.
For 2026, the guideline for one person in the 48 contiguous states and D.C. is $15,960, while the guideline for a family of four is $33,000.
When researching eligibility, always check the specific program’s rules because different programs can use different FPL percentages, income definitions, household rules, and effective dates.
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Calculators and estimates are for informational purposes only and may not reflect your actual tax liability, refund, eligibility, or other official determination. Always verify important information with the appropriate government agency or consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.