2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines
HHS published the 2026 poverty guidelines in January 2026. Most programs use these tables, often as a percentage, such as 138% or 200%.
48 contiguous states and DC
| Household size | Yearly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $1,330 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $1,803 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $2,277 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $2,750 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $3,223 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $3,697 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $4,170 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $4,643 |
| Each additional person | +$5,680 |
Alaska
| Household size | Yearly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $19,950 | $1,662 |
| 2 | $27,050 | $2,254 |
| 3 | $34,150 | $2,846 |
| 4 | $41,250 | $3,438 |
| 5 | $48,350 | $4,029 |
| 6 | $55,450 | $4,621 |
| 7 | $62,550 | $5,212 |
| 8 | $69,650 | $5,804 |
| Each additional person | +$7,100 |
Hawaii
| Household size | Yearly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18,360 | $1,530 |
| 2 | $24,890 | $2,074 |
| 3 | $31,420 | $2,618 |
| 4 | $37,950 | $3,162 |
| 5 | $44,480 | $3,707 |
| 6 | $51,010 | $4,251 |
| 7 | $57,540 | $4,795 |
| 8 | $64,070 | $5,339 |
| Each additional person | +$6,530 |
Common Income Limits in Dollars
These are the 2026 dollar amounts for the percentages programs use most, for the 48 contiguous states and DC:
| Percent of FPL | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | $15,960 | $21,640 | $27,320 | $33,000 |
| 138% | $22,025 | $29,863 | $37,702 | $45,540 |
| 150% | $23,940 | $32,460 | $40,980 | $49,500 |
| 200% | $31,920 | $43,280 | $54,640 | $66,000 |
| 250% | $39,900 | $54,100 | $68,300 | $82,500 |
| 300% | $47,880 | $64,920 | $81,960 | $99,000 |
| 400% | $63,840 | $86,560 | $109,280 | $132,000 |
What Each Percentage Is Used For
| Program | Usual income limit |
|---|---|
| Medicaid for adults (expansion states) | Up to 138% |
| Medicare Savings Programs | QMB up to 100%, SLMB up to 120%, QI up to 135% (asset limits apply) |
| Extra Help with Medicare drug costs | Up to 150% (resource limits apply) |
| Hospital free care (many hospitals) | Up to about 200% |
| Hospital discounts (many hospitals) | Up to about 300% to 400% |
| Marketplace premium tax credits (2027 coverage) | 100% to 400% |
Which Year's Numbers Apply?
- Medicaid and CHIP use the current year's guidelines, so the 2026 numbers apply now.
- Marketplace (ACA) coverage uses the year before. 2027 plans, which you can shop for during open enrollment now, use the 2026 numbers on this page.
- The 400% limit is back. The larger tax credits that let people above 400% get help expired at the end of 2025. For 2027 coverage, help stops at 400%.
Medicaid Expansion by State
As of 2026, 41 jurisdictions, including DC, have expanded Medicaid to adults up to 138% of the poverty level. Ten states have not: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In those states, many adults earn too much for Medicaid but too little for Marketplace tax credits, which start at 100%.
Using the Poverty Level to Lower a Medical Bill
Hospitals and community health centers often use these percentages to decide who gets free or discounted care. If you are under about 400%, ask for the financial assistance application before you pay a large bill. Read our hospital charity care guide and how to negotiate a hospital bill.
Sources: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), 2026 Poverty Guidelines (Federal Register, January 2026); KFF, Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions (2026); KFF, explaining health insurance subsidies; Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help. This calculator gives estimates; each program makes its own decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Written by Hassan Raza Awan
Founder — LegitMedBilling & IT Solutions
Hassan has 4+ years of hands-on U.S. medical billing experience — working claims, denials, credentialing, and payer follow-up for practices across the United States. Every guide he publishes is written from real remittances and payer behavior, not theory.
See every state's limit in our Medicaid income limits 2026 by state. Losing job coverage? Compare costs with our COBRA calculator.
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