Federal Poverty Level Calculator
How to Use the FPL Calculator
- Choose a Year: Select the year (e.g., 2025) for the FPL guidelines you want to use.
- Select Family Size: Pick the number of people in your household (1–8).
- Indicate State (if applicable): Check the box if you’re from Alaska or Hawaii, then select your state. Leave unchecked for the contiguous U.S.
- Enter Income or FPL Percentage: Input your annual, monthly, biweekly, or weekly income, or an FPL percentage (e.g., 150%). Results update instantly.
- View Results: See your income details, FPL threshold, and percentage in the results table. Use the Clear button to reset all fields if needed.
2025 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines
| Family Size | 50% FPL | 100% FPL | 156% FPL | 191% FPL | 200% FPL | 250% FPL | 306% FPL | 400% FPL |
|---|
About the Federal Poverty Level
What is the FPL?
The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is an income threshold set annually by the U.S. government, based on household size. It serves as a benchmark to determine eligibility for federal and state assistance programs, such as healthcare, food, and housing support.
Adjusted each year to account for inflation and cost-of-living changes, the FPL ensures that eligibility criteria reflect current economic realities. This helps identify families and individuals who need financial assistance to access essential services.
Which Programs Use FPL?
The FPL determines eligibility for programs like Medicaid for healthcare, CHIP for children’s health coverage, and Marketplace subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. It also applies to SNAP for food assistance, energy programs for utility bills, and premium tax credits to lower insurance costs.
Additional programs, such as Section 8 housing vouchers, rely on FPL guidelines. Eligibility thresholds vary by state, and this calculator uses federal guidelines, which exclude specific adjustments for Alaska and Hawaii due to their unique FPL criteria.
What is the FPL Calculator?
The FPL Calculator is a user-friendly tool that estimates your household’s FPL percentage based on income and family size. It provides a quick snapshot of where you stand relative to federal poverty guidelines, aiding in understanding program eligibility.
Designed for simplicity and accuracy, the calculator delivers reliable insights into available financial support options. It uses standard federal guidelines, which may differ from those applied in Alaska and Hawaii.
Why Know Your FPL Percentage?
Your FPL percentage is key to determining eligibility for programs like Medicaid, CHIP, and Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies, which reduce healthcare costs. It also helps identify eligibility for other support, such as food and housing assistance.
Additionally, knowing your FPL percentage can unlock access to prescription assistance programs, like those on NeedyMeds.org, which offer affordable medications. This knowledge empowers you to pursue support that enhances your quality of life.
How to Use the Calculator?
The FPL Calculator is easy to use: select the year (default: 2025, reflecting current guidelines), then input your household size (number of family members) and income (annual, monthly, biweekly, or weekly). The tool instantly calculates your FPL percentage.
This percentage shows how your income compares to federal poverty guidelines, helping you assess eligibility for assistance programs. Note that Alaska and Hawaii have different FPL thresholds, which this calculator does not cover.
How is FPL Updated?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updates the FPL guidelines each year to reflect inflation and cost-of-living changes. These updates ensure the FPL remains a fair measure for determining program eligibility across the U.S.
Adjustments account for economic shifts, maintaining equitable access to support services. Alaska and Hawaii have higher FPL thresholds due to their elevated living costs, which are addressed separately from the standard federal guidelines.
Why Do Alaska and Hawaii Have Different FPL Guidelines?
Alaska and Hawaii have distinct FPL guidelines due to their significantly higher cost of living compared to the mainland U.S. These states face unique economic challenges, such as higher prices for goods, services, and housing, driven by their remote locations and limited local resources.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sets higher FPL thresholds for these states to ensure fair eligibility for assistance programs. For example, in 2025, Alaska’s base FPL for a single person is $19,580, and Hawaii’s is $18,000, compared to $15,650 for the contiguous U.S., with additional increments for larger households.