Federal Poverty Level Calculator 2026
Your income as a percent of the poverty line, and what it qualifies you for
Alaska and Hawaii have higher guidelines
For Marketplace plans: everyone on your tax return
Modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of the whole household
| % of poverty line | Yearly income | Monthly income |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | $15,960 | $1,330 |
| 138% | $22,025 | $1,835 |
| 150% | $23,940 | $1,995 |
| 200%← you are at or below this | $31,920 | $2,660 |
| 250% | $39,900 | $3,325 |
| 300% | $47,880 | $3,990 |
| 400% | $63,840 | $5,320 |
What 156.6% of the poverty line can qualify you for in Ohio
Income test only. Programs also look at age, citizenship or immigration status, other coverage, and for Medicare programs, savings. Medicaid usually checks current monthly income; Marketplace credits use expected yearly income.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute tax, legal, financial, or medical advice. Results depend on individual circumstances and may not reflect your actual costs. Always consult a qualified professional (CPA, licensed insurance agent, or financial advisor) for decisions about your specific situation. Data reflects approximate 2026 figures from IRS, CMS, and HHS sources.
2026 Federal Poverty Level Chart
Yearly income at each percent of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines, 48 contiguous states and DC. These are the limits Medicaid and CHIP use now and the Marketplace uses for 2027 coverage. For households larger than 8, add $5,680 per person at 100%.
| Household | 100% | 138% | 150% | 200% | 250% | 400% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $22,025 | $23,940 | $31,920 | $39,900 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $29,863 | $32,460 | $43,280 | $54,100 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $37,702 | $40,980 | $54,640 | $68,300 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $45,540 | $49,500 | $66,000 | $82,500 | $132,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $53,378 | $58,020 | $77,360 | $96,700 | $154,720 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $61,217 | $66,540 | $88,720 | $110,900 | $177,440 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $69,055 | $75,060 | $100,080 | $125,100 | $200,160 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $76,894 | $83,580 | $111,440 | $139,300 | $222,880 |
Alaska: $19,950 for one person, plus $7,100 per extra person. Hawaii: $18,360, plus $6,530 per extra person. The calculator applies these automatically when you pick the state.
Medicaid Income Limits 2026
In the 40 states plus DC that expanded Medicaid, adults aged 19 to 64 qualify with income up to 138% of the poverty level. Medicaid checks monthly income, so the monthly figure is the one that usually matters:
| Household | 138% yearly | 138% monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22,025 | $1,835 |
| 2 | $29,863 | $2,489 |
| 3 | $37,702 | $3,142 |
| 4 | $45,540 | $3,795 |
| 5 | $53,378 | $4,448 |
| 6 | $61,217 | $5,101 |
The 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. There, adults without children usually cannot qualify on income alone and parents qualify only at very low incomes; Wisconsin is the exception, covering adults up to 100%. Children, pregnant people, and people with disabilities have separate, higher limits in every state.
Worked Examples
- Single adult in Ohio earning $25,000: $25,000 / $15,960 = 156.6%. Over the $22,025 Medicaid limit, so a Marketplace plan with a premium tax credit, and a Silver plan upgraded by cost-sharing reductions to cover about 87% of costs (the 150-200% tier).
- Family of four in Texas earning $45,000: $45,000 / $33,000 = 136.3%. Texas did not expand Medicaid, so the parents get Marketplace coverage with a premium tax credit and the strongest cost-sharing reductions (94%), while the children qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.
- Married couple in Florida earning $88,000: $88,000 / $21,640 = 406.6%. That is $1,440 over the 400% line ($86,560), so no premium tax credit for 2027 coverage. Lowering MAGI below the line, for example with pre-tax retirement or HSA contributions, would restore it.
What the Poverty Level Is Used For
- Up to 138%: Medicaid for adults in expansion states; Medicaid for children in every state.
- 100% to 400%: Marketplace premium tax credits. Estimate yours with the Obamacare subsidy calculator.
- 100% to 250%: cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans (94%, 87%, or 73% coverage).
- Up to 135% / 150%: Medicare Savings Programs pay Part B premiums; Extra Help lowers Part D drug costs. Higher-income retirees can check the Medicare IRMAA calculator instead.
- Up to 200-400%: hospital financial assistance (charity care) at many nonprofit hospitals. If you already owe, see the medical debt relief calculator.
Losing job-based coverage? Compare your options with the COBRA vs ACA calculator or read COBRA vs ACA in 2027.
Sources: HHS Annual Update of the Poverty Guidelines, 91 FR 1797 (Jan. 15, 2026) and 90 FR 5917 (Jan. 17, 2025); HealthCare.gov (federal poverty level, cost-sharing reductions); Medicaid.gov (eligibility); KFF, Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions; CMS and SSA (Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help). This is an income screen, not an eligibility decision; apply through HealthCare.gov or your state Medicaid agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal poverty level for 2026?
The 2026 HHS poverty guideline is $15,960 a year for one person and $33,000 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and DC, plus $5,680 for each additional person. It is higher in Alaska ($19,950 for one person) and Hawaii ($18,360).
How do I calculate my percentage of the federal poverty level?
Divide your household income by the poverty guideline for your household size, then multiply by 100. A single person earning $25,000 in 2026: $25,000 / $15,960 x 100 = 156.6% of the poverty level.
What is 138% of the federal poverty level in 2026?
$22,025 a year (about $1,835 a month) for one person, $29,863 for two, and $45,540 for a family of four. That is the Medicaid income limit for adults in states that expanded Medicaid.
What is 400% of the poverty level for Obamacare subsidies?
For 2027 Marketplace plans, which use the 2026 guidelines, 400% is $63,840 for one person and $132,000 for a family of four. For 2026 plans, which use the 2025 guidelines, it is $62,600 and $128,600. Above 400% there is no premium tax credit for either year.
Which year of poverty guidelines does the Marketplace use?
The guidelines published before open enrollment. Coverage for 2027 (open enrollment from November 1, 2026) uses the 2026 guidelines, and your 2026 tax return reconciles 2026 coverage against the 2025 guidelines. Medicaid and CHIP use the current year: the 2026 guidelines now.
What counts as income and household size?
Both programs use modified adjusted gross income (MAGI): adjusted gross income plus untaxed foreign income, non-taxable Social Security, and tax-exempt interest. For Marketplace plans your household is you, your spouse if filing jointly, and the dependents you claim. Medicaid household rules differ slightly, for example a pregnant woman counts as herself plus each expected child.