What Is the Federal Poverty Level — and Why Does It Matter?
The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is an income benchmark published annually by the federal government. It is the single most important number in the benefits system — used by more than 30 programs to determine who qualifies and how much assistance they receive. Knowing where your household falls can unlock resources you did not know were available.
2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines by Household Size
These are the official 2025 HHS Poverty Guidelines for the contiguous 48 states and Washington, D.C. Alaska and Hawaii use separate, higher thresholds due to the higher cost of living.
| Household Size | 100% FPL | 138% FPL | 200% FPL | 400% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,650 | $21,597 | $31,300 | $62,600 |
| 2 people | $21,150 | $29,187 | $42,300 | $84,600 |
| 3 people | $26,650 | $36,777 | $53,300 | $106,600 |
| 4 people | $32,150 | $44,367 | $64,300 | $128,600 |
| 5 people | $37,650 | $51,957 | $75,300 | $150,600 |
| 6 people | $43,150 | $59,547 | $86,300 | $172,600 |
| Each additional person | +$5,380 | +$7,424 | +$10,760 | +$21,520 |
How Programs Use Your FPL Percentage
Each program sets its own income threshold as a percentage of the FPL. The same household income can qualify for multiple programs at different levels. Here is how the most common programs stack up:
| Program | Income Threshold | Who It Serves |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP (Food Stamps) | 130% FPL | Low-income households of all types |
| Medicaid (expansion states) | 138% FPL | Adults without dependent children |
| WIC | 185% FPL | Pregnant women, infants, children under 5 |
| LIHEAP | 150% FPL (most states) | Households with utility cost burdens |
| CHIP | 200–300% FPL | Uninsured children under 19 |
| Head Start | 100% FPL | Children ages 3–5 |
| ACA Marketplace subsidies | 100–400% FPL | Individuals purchasing health insurance |
| Section 8 Housing | 50–80% FPL | Low-income renters |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the FPL different from minimum wage?
The FPL is a fixed annual income threshold set by the government, not an hourly wage. A person working full-time at federal minimum wage earns approximately $15,000–$16,000 per year, putting them right around 100% FPL as a single-person household.
Why does my FPL percentage affect so many programs?
Congress designed most federal assistance programs to use FPL as a consistent, updatable measure of need. It creates a uniform language across programs, even though each sets its own cutoff percentage based on its goals and funding.
Are the numbers updated every year?
Yes. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) publishes updated guidelines each January. Programs typically adopt the new numbers soon after publication. The figures in this tool reflect the 2025 federal guidelines.
Does the FPL account for cost of living differences between states?
Not for most states — only Alaska and Hawaii have official higher guidelines. This means a family in a high-cost city and a low-cost rural area face the same FPL threshold, even though their actual purchasing power differs significantly.
