The 2026 federal poverty level (FPL) for a single person in the 48 contiguous states is $15,960 per year, which works out to $1,330 per month. HHS publishes these guidelines each January, and most federal benefit programs use them to set income eligibility cutoffs for the coverage year. If you are trying to figure out whether you qualify for Medicaid, SNAP, ACA marketplace subsidies, or other assistance programs, this chart is the starting point.
2026 FPL Monthly Chart by Household Size (48 Contiguous States and D.C.)
The table below shows both annual and monthly amounts at 100% FPL for the contiguous United States. Alaska and Hawaii have higher thresholds, covered in the next section.
| Household Size | Annual (100% FPL) | Monthly (100% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $1,330 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $1,803 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $2,277 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $2,750 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $3,223 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $3,697 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $4,170 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $4,643 |
For households with more than 8 people, add $5,680 per additional person (annual) or $473 per month.
Alaska and Hawaii 2026 FPL Charts
Federal law sets higher FPL amounts for Alaska and Hawaii because of elevated costs of living in both states.
Alaska
| Household Size | Annual (100% FPL) | Monthly (100% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 person | $19,950 | $1,663 |
| 2 people | $27,050 | $2,254 |
| 3 people | $34,150 | $2,846 |
| 4 people | $41,250 | $3,438 |
| 5 people | $48,350 | $4,029 |
| 6 people | $55,450 | $4,621 |
| 7 people | $62,550 | $5,213 |
| 8 people | $69,650 | $5,804 |
Add $7,100 per year (or $592 per month) for each person beyond 8.
Hawaii
| Household Size | Annual (100% FPL) | Monthly (100% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 person | $18,360 | $1,530 |
| 2 people | $24,890 | $2,074 |
| 3 people | $31,420 | $2,618 |
| 4 people | $37,950 | $3,163 |
| 5 people | $44,480 | $3,707 |
| 6 people | $51,010 | $4,251 |
| 7 people | $57,540 | $4,795 |
| 8 people | $64,070 | $5,339 |
Add $6,530 per year (or $544 per month) for each person beyond 8.
How Programs Use FPL Percentages
Most benefit programs do not cut off at exactly 100% FPL. They set limits as a percentage of the guideline. The table below shows the key thresholds for major programs in 2026, based on a household of one person in the contiguous 48 states.
| Program | FPL % Used | Monthly Limit (1 person) | Annual Limit (1 person) |
|---|
| Medicaid (expansion states) | 138% | $1,836 | $22,025 |
| CHIP (children) | Up to 200% | $2,660 | $31,920 |
| SNAP (gross income limit) | 130% | $1,729 | $20,748 |
| SNAP (net income limit) | 100% | $1,330 | $15,960 |
| ACA premium tax credits | 100% to 400% | $1,330 to $5,320 | $15,960 to $63,840 |
| ACA cost-sharing reductions | Up to 250% | $3,325 | $39,900 |
| WIC | 185% | $2,461 | $29,526 |
| LIHEAP (heating assistance) | Up to 150% | $1,995 | $23,940 |
Note: SNAP limits apply to most households. Households with elderly or disabled members use the net income limit only and do not have a gross income test.
2026 FPL Percentage Breakdown for a Family of Four
If you have a household of four, your 100% FPL is $33,000 per year or $2,750 per month. Here is how the key percentage cutoffs translate:
| FPL % | Annual Income (4 people) | Monthly Income (4 people) |
|---|
| 100% | $33,000 | $2,750 |
| 130% | $42,900 | $3,575 |
| 133% | $43,890 | $3,658 |
| 138% | $45,540 | $3,795 |
| 150% | $49,500 | $4,125 |
| 200% | $66,000 | $5,500 |
| 250% | $82,500 | $6,875 |
| 300% | $99,000 | $8,250 |
| 400% | $132,000 | $11,000 |
2026 FPL Percentage Breakdown for a Single Person
| FPL % | Annual Income (1 person) | Monthly Income (1 person) |
|---|
| 100% | $15,960 | $1,330 |
| 130% | $20,748 | $1,729 |
| 133% | $21,227 | $1,769 |
| 138% | $22,025 | $1,835 |
| 150% | $23,940 | $1,995 |
| 200% | $31,920 | $2,660 |
| 250% | $39,900 | $3,325 |
| 300% | $47,880 | $3,990 |
| 400% | $63,840 | $5,320 |
How Each Major Program Uses the 2026 FPL
Medicaid
In the 38 states (plus D.C.) that expanded Medicaid under the ACA, adults qualify at up to 138% FPL. For a single person, that is $22,025 per year or $1,835 per month. For a family of four, the cutoff is approximately $45,540 per year.
In the 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid, eligibility for adults is far more restrictive. Income limits in non-expansion states often fall well below 100% FPL, and many low-income adults do not qualify at all. If you live in a non-expansion state, check your state's specific rules.
SNAP (Food Stamps)
SNAP uses 130% FPL as the gross income limit for most households. For a single person, that is about $1,729 per month in 2026. Net income after allowable deductions must be at or below 100% FPL, or $1,330 per month for one person.
Some states use Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which can raise the gross income limit to 200% FPL or eliminate it entirely for households that receive certain other benefits. If you are near the SNAP limit, check whether your state applies BBCE.
ACA Marketplace Subsidies
Premium tax credits (PTCs) for ACA marketplace plans are available to households with income between 100% and 400% FPL. For a single person, that range is $15,960 to $63,840 per year in 2026. Enhanced subsidies that were enacted in 2021 have been extended through 2025, but as of 2026 the standard 100% to 400% FPL band applies unless Congress acts.
Cost-sharing reductions (CSRs), which lower deductibles and copays on Silver plans, are available to households earning up to 250% FPL. The strongest CSR benefits apply to households at 100% to 200% FPL.
WIC
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) covers pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5. The income limit is 185% FPL. For a family of four, that is approximately $61,050 per year or $5,088 per month in 2026.
LIHEAP
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps pay heating and cooling bills. States set their own cutoffs, but the federal maximum is 150% FPL. Many states set limits between 60% and 150% FPL depending on their funding level.
Why FPL Numbers Change Each Year
HHS updates the poverty guidelines each January using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The 2026 guidelines reflect price changes from 2025. The increase from the 2025 baseline (where the single-person amount was $15,060 per year) to the 2026 amount ($15,960) represents a 6% increase. This annual update helps keep eligibility thresholds roughly aligned with actual living costs.
What Counts as Income When Calculating FPL
Programs that use FPL as an eligibility threshold generally count gross household income before taxes. What counts varies by program:
- SNAP counts most earned and unearned income but excludes certain amounts like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in most states.
- Medicaid counts modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for most non-elderly, non-disabled adults. MAGI includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security benefits (in some cases), and other income.
- ACA subsidies use MAGI as well, and the calculation can include capital gains, business income, and rental income.
- WIC and LIHEAP each have their own income counting rules that may differ from MAGI.
If you are close to an eligibility threshold, the specific income counting rules for the program you are applying to matter significantly.
How to Check Your Eligibility
Knowing where your income falls on the FPL chart is the first step, but most programs have additional requirements beyond income: citizenship or immigration status, residency, household composition, and program-specific rules.
The Benefits Navigator screener checks your eligibility across Medicaid, SNAP, ACA, LIHEAP, WIC, EITC, and other programs at the same time. It uses your ZIP code, household size, and income to return a personalized list of programs you likely qualify for.
Check your eligibility for free at the Benefits Navigator screener
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 federal poverty level for a single person per month?
The 2026 FPL for a single person in the 48 contiguous states is $1,330 per month, or $15,960 per year. In Alaska, the monthly amount is $1,663. In Hawaii, it is $1,530.
How much is 138% of the 2026 federal poverty level?
For a single person in the contiguous 48 states, 138% FPL is approximately $22,025 per year or $1,835 per month. This is the standard Medicaid expansion cutoff. For a family of four, 138% FPL is about $45,540 per year or $3,795 per month.
How much is 200% of the 2026 federal poverty level for a family of four?
200% FPL for a family of four is $66,000 per year or $5,500 per month. This level is used as a reference point for CHIP eligibility in many states and for some SNAP waivers under BBCE.
What is 400% FPL in 2026?
For a single person, 400% FPL is $63,840 per year. For a family of four, it is $132,000 per year. This is the upper boundary for ACA premium tax credit eligibility under the standard rules.
Does the $1,330/month FPL apply in all states?
No. The $1,330/month figure applies only to the 48 contiguous states and D.C. Alaska uses $1,663/month and Hawaii uses $1,530/month for a single-person household at 100% FPL. All three figures are for 2026.
When do the 2026 poverty guidelines take effect?
HHS published the 2026 poverty guidelines in January 2026. They are used for eligibility determinations throughout the 2026 calendar year. Some programs, like Medicaid, apply new FPL figures immediately. Others, like ACA marketplace plans, use the prior year's FPL for the open enrollment period.
Does Social Security count as income for FPL calculations?
It depends on the program. For Medicaid MAGI calculations, Social Security income may or may not count depending on whether it is taxable. SSI benefits are generally excluded from Medicaid income calculations. For ACA premium tax credits, Social Security income counts toward MAGI if any portion is taxable. For SNAP, most Social Security income counts but SSI does not.
What if my household has more than 8 people?
For the contiguous 48 states, add $5,680 per year (or about $473 per month) for each person above 8. For Alaska, add $7,100 per year ($592/month). For Hawaii, add $6,530 per year ($544/month).
Can I qualify for ACA subsidies if my income is below the poverty level?
In expansion states, households below 100% FPL generally qualify for Medicaid rather than ACA subsidies. In non-expansion states, there is a coverage gap for adults who earn too much for Medicaid but too little for ACA subsidies (below 100% FPL). Some non-expansion states have recently expanded Medicaid, so check your state's current status.
Where can I find the official 2026 poverty guidelines?
The official source is the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) at aspe.hhs.gov. The 2026 guidelines were published in the Federal Register in January 2026.
