What is the Federal Poverty Level for 2026?

The 2026 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for the 48 contiguous states and D.C. is $15,650 for a single person. Each additional household member adds $5,500. Alaska has higher thresholds (multiply by approximately 1.25), and Hawaii also has higher thresholds (multiply by approximately 1.15). The FPL is updated annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is used to determine eligibility for dozens of federal and state assistance programs.

What does 138% FPL mean for Medicaid?

138% FPL is the income threshold for Medicaid eligibility in states that have adopted the ACA’s Medicaid expansion (41 states plus D.C. as of 2026). If your household income is at or below 138% FPL, you generally qualify for Medicaid, which covers medical care at little or no cost to you. In non-expansion states, Medicaid eligibility thresholds are typically much lower—often below 100% FPL for adults without children.

How does FPL affect ACA marketplace subsidies?

Premium tax credits (subsidies) for ACA marketplace health insurance are available to households earning between 100% and 400% FPL. Enhanced subsidies introduced by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (extended through 2025) cap premiums at a percentage of income for all subsidy-eligible enrollees and provide additional savings for people below 150% FPL. Cost-sharing reductions (lower deductibles and copays on Silver plans) are available for people at 100–250% FPL.

How does the FPL affect hospital charity care?

Most nonprofit hospitals use FPL percentages to determine charity care eligibility: below 200% FPL typically means free care, 200–400% FPL typically means a sliding-scale discount. The exact thresholds are set by each hospital in its Financial Assistance Policy, within the bounds required by IRS 501(r) rules and applicable state law. The AGB rate cap (charging no more than Medicare/Medicaid rates) applies to patients who qualify for financial assistance at any level.

Does income from Social Security or disability count toward FPL?

Yes. For most assistance programs, “household income” used in FPL calculations includes Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments, wages, self-employment income, interest and dividends, rental income, and alimony. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is generally excluded from income for ACA subsidy purposes but may be counted for Medicaid eligibility in some states. Each program has its own income counting rules—verify with the specific program or a navigator.

Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and Medical Bills: What the Thresholds Mean for You

Q: Does income from Social Security or disability count toward FPL?

Yes. For most assistance programs, &ldquo;household income&rdquo; used in FPL calculations includes Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments, wages, self-employment income, interest and dividends, rental income, and alimony. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is generally excluded from income for ACA subsidy purposes but may be counted for Medicaid eligibility in some states. Each program has its own income counting rules&mdash;verify with the specific program or a navigator.

Quick Answer: The 2026 Federal Poverty Level is $15,650 for one person ($32,150 for a family of four). This single number determines whether you qualify for Medicaid (138% FPL), ACA subsidies (100–400% FPL), and hospital charity care (typically 200–400% FPL). Knowing your FPL percentage is the first step in understanding every financial assistance option available to you.

The Federal Poverty Level is not just an abstract statistic—it is the benchmark that determines your eligibility for Medicaid, ACA health insurance subsidies, hospital charity care, Medicare cost-sharing assistance, and dozens of other programs. A household earning slightly different amounts relative to the FPL can face dramatically different healthcare costs. This guide gives you the 2026 numbers, explains what each percentage threshold unlocks, and shows you how to use them to lower your medical bills.

What the Federal Poverty Level is (and isn’t)

The Federal Poverty Level (also called the Federal Poverty Guideline) is an income threshold published annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It is used as an eligibility benchmark for federal and state assistance programs—not as a literal measure of whether a household is living in poverty.

A few important clarifications:

FPL is based on gross household income, not take-home pay. It counts most income sources: wages, Social Security, pensions, rental income, and alimony.
Household size matters. A family of four with a $60,000 income is at a very different FPL percentage than a single person with the same income.
Alaska and Hawaii have separate, higher guidelines. The contiguous U.S. and D.C. use the standard table; residents of AK and HI have higher dollar thresholds that produce the same percentage at higher income levels.
The FPL is updated annually, usually in January. The figures below are the 2026 guidelines effective for most program eligibility determinations in calendar year 2026.

2026 FPL by household size: full table

Use this table to find your household’s income at each key percentage threshold. Find your row (household size) and see which column your income falls under.

Household Size	100% FPL	138% FPL (Medicaid)	150% FPL	200% FPL	250% FPL	400% FPL
1 person	$15,650	$21,597	$23,475	$31,300	$39,125	$62,600
2 people	$21,150	$29,187	$31,725	$42,300	$52,875	$84,600
3 people	$26,650	$36,777	$39,975	$53,300	$66,625	$106,600
4 people	$32,150	$44,367	$48,225	$64,300	$80,375	$128,600
5 people	$37,650	$51,957	$56,475	$75,300	$94,125	$150,600
6 people	$43,150	$59,547	$64,725	$86,300	$107,875	$172,600
7 people	$48,650	$67,137	$72,975	$97,300	$121,625	$194,600
8 people	$54,150	$74,727	$81,225	$108,300	$135,375	$216,600

For each additional person beyond 8, add $5,500 to the 100% FPL figure and apply the percentage multiplier. These are the 2026 guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and D.C. Source: HHS ASPE Poverty Guidelines.

What each FPL percentage threshold means

Each percentage threshold is tied to a specific program or protection. Here is a plain-language summary of what each one unlocks:

Below 100% FPL

At this income level, Medicaid is typically available (in expansion states). If you live in a non-expansion state, you may fall in the “coverage gap”—earning too much for traditional Medicaid but below the ACA marketplace subsidy floor. Hospital charity care is almost universally available at 100% FPL, typically at no cost.

138% FPL

This is the upper boundary of Medicaid expansion eligibility in the 41 states (plus D.C.) that have expanded Medicaid under the ACA. If your income is below this threshold in an expansion state, you qualify for Medicaid regardless of whether you have children. Medicaid covers most medical costs at zero or very low cost.

150% FPL

The threshold for the highest ACA marketplace subsidies. At 150% FPL, benchmark Silver plan premiums are capped at 0% of income (effectively free for the premium). Cost-sharing reductions (lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums) are available at their most generous level.

200% FPL

The typical threshold for full (100%) charity care at most nonprofit hospitals. If your income is below 200% FPL, you can generally have your hospital bill eliminated entirely by applying for financial assistance. Also the threshold where cost-sharing reductions on ACA Silver plans are still significant.

250% FPL

The upper limit for cost-sharing reductions on ACA marketplace plans. Above this income, you can still get premium subsidies but won’t qualify for reduced deductibles and copays within the plan. Some hospitals use 250% FPL as an intermediate charity care tier.

400% FPL

Historically the upper limit for ACA premium tax credits (the “subsidy cliff”), though enhanced subsidies have extended eligibility beyond 400% FPL through 2025. This is also the typical upper boundary for hospital financial assistance programs—above this level, most hospitals offer no income-based discount, though the self-pay rate may still apply.

138% FPL: Medicaid eligibility

Medicaid expansion under the ACA extended eligibility to nearly all adults below 138% FPL in participating states. As of 2026, 41 states plus D.C. have expanded Medicaid. In these states, a single adult earning less than $21,597 qualifies for Medicaid.

If you received medical care and later determine you were Medicaid-eligible at the time of service, you may be able to apply retroactively for Medicaid coverage in many states. Retroactive Medicaid coverage can pay outstanding hospital bills from up to three months before your application date in some programs. Contact your state Medicaid office to check retroactive eligibility rules.

100–400% FPL: ACA marketplace subsidies

Premium tax credits reduce your monthly health insurance premiums on the ACA marketplace. Cost-sharing reductions further lower your deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums on Silver-tier plans. Together these benefits can make comprehensive health insurance affordable at income levels that previously left people uninsured.

Key planning consideration: If your income hovers near the 138% FPL Medicaid threshold in an expansion state, a small increase in income (such as a bonus or freelance payment) can shift you from Medicaid to marketplace insurance. Plan accordingly when estimating your annual income for enrollment purposes.

200–400% FPL: Hospital charity care

Hospital charity care programs are the most direct way FPL affects out-of-pocket medical costs. The 240-day application window, the zero-interest payment plan requirement for qualified patients, and the AGB rate cap all flow from where your income falls relative to the FPL.

Even if you earn above 400% FPL, you may still qualify for the hospital’s self-pay discount, which reduces charges to the AGB rate without income documentation. Ask for it by name.

Alaska and Hawaii: higher thresholds

The HHS poverty guidelines recognize that the cost of living in Alaska and Hawaii is significantly higher than in the contiguous U.S. The standard practice: multiply the contiguous U.S. FPL by approximately 1.25 for Alaska and 1.15 for Hawaii to estimate the applicable figures. Always verify current year thresholds on the HHS ASPE website.

How to calculate your FPL percentage

To determine your FPL percentage:

Determine your household size. Include yourself, your spouse, and all dependents who live with you and are claimed on your tax return.
Calculate your household’s annual gross income. Include wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, pensions, rental income, and alimony.
Divide your annual income by the 100% FPL for your household size. Then multiply by 100 to get your percentage.

Example: A household of 3 with $40,000 annual income: $40,000 ÷ $26,650 = 1.50 × 100 = 150% FPL. This household qualifies for ACA cost-sharing reductions and likely for hospital charity care up to the hospital’s threshold (typically 200–400% FPL).