Federal poverty level (FPL)
A measure of income updated each year by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that’s used to determine eligibility for certain programs and benefits, like Marketplace
, and
and the
coverage.
2026 income is used to check if you're eligible for Medicaid and CHIP. Income from the previous year is used to calculate Marketplace savings for the next year.
Federal poverty levels
| Family size | 2025 income | 2026 income |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals | $15,650 | $15,960 |
| Family of 2 | $21,150 | $21,640 |
| Family of 3 | $26,650 | $27,320 |
| Family of 4 | $32,150 | $33,000 |
| Family of 5 | $37,650 | $38,680 |
| Family of 6 | $43,150 | $44,360 |
| Family of 7 | $48,650 | $50,040 |
| Family of 8 | $54,150 | $55,720 |
| Family of 9+ | Add $5,500 for each extra person | Add $5,680 for each extra person |
Federal poverty level amounts are higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Get all HHS poverty guidelines.
How federal poverty level amounts determine eligibility for reduced-cost health coverage
- Income between 100% and 400% federal poverty level: In all states you qualify for the premium tax credit that lowers your monthly premium for a Marketplace plan.
- Income below 138% federal poverty level: If your state has expanded Medicaid, you may qualify for Medicaid.
- Income below 100% federal poverty level: You probably won’t qualify for savings on a Marketplace plan, but you may qualify for Medicaid.
"Income" refers to
. For most people, it's the same or very similar to
. MAGI isn't a number on your tax return.