Federal Poverty Guidelines 2026

The federal poverty guidelines (also called the federal poverty level, or FPL) are published each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Many programs use them to decide who qualifies, including Medicaid, CHIP and Marketplace premium tax credits.

Which year applies to 2027 coverage? Marketplace subsidies for plan year 2027 are based on the 2026 guidelines below. Medicaid and CHIP use the guidelines in effect when you apply.

2026 federal poverty guidelines (48 states and DC)

Annual household income, before taxes, at common percentages of the poverty level:

How to read the chart

• 100% is the poverty guideline itself.
• 138% is the usual Medicaid expansion limit in states that expanded Medicaid.
• 150% to 250% is the range where cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans are available.
• 400% is the income limit for Marketplace premium tax credits under current law.

For households with more than 8 people in the 48 states and DC, add $5,680 for each additional person at 100%. Alaska ($19,950 for one person, plus $7,100 for each additional person) and Hawaii ($18,360 for one person, plus $6,530 for each additional person) have higher guidelines.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2026 Poverty Guidelines (aspe.hhs.gov). Educational use only. Figures for other percentages are the guideline multiplied by that percentage and rounded to the nearest dollar. Eligibility rules can change.