United States · Medicaid · Federal poverty level
138% of the federal poverty level 2026.
The annual and monthly income line at 138% of the poverty guideline for each household size, and why the federal Medicaid rule says 133%.
Short answer: At 138% of the 2026 federal poverty guideline, the income line is $22,025 a year for one person, $29,863 for two, $37,702 for three and $45,540 for four in the 48 states and DC. The federal Medicaid rule for adults 19 to 64 is written at 133% of the guideline, and a 5-percentage-point income disregard brings the effective line to 138%.
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Why 138% and not 133%
The federal Medicaid regulation, 42 CFR 435.119, requires the agency to provide Medicaid to individuals who are age 19 or older and under 65, not pregnant, not entitled to or enrolled in Medicare Part A or B, not otherwise mandatorily eligible, and with household income at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level for the applicable family size. A separate rule, 42 CFR 435.603(d)(4), says a state must subtract an amount equal to 5 percentage points of the federal poverty level for the family size when determining eligibility for the group with the highest income standard using modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) methods. The result is the commonly quoted 138%.
138% of the 2026 guideline
| Household size | 48 states and DC: annual | Monthly | Alaska: annual | Hawaii: annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22,025 | $1,835.40 | $27,531 | $25,337 |
| 2 | $29,863 | $2,488.60 | $37,329 | $34,348 |
| 3 | $37,702 | $3,141.80 | $47,127 | $43,360 |
| 4 | $45,540 | $3,795.00 | $56,925 | $52,371 |
| 5 | $53,378 | $4,448.20 | $66,723 | $61,382 |
| 6 | $61,217 | $5,101.40 | $76,521 | $70,394 |
| 7 | $69,055 | $5,754.60 | $86,319 | $79,405 |
| 8 | $76,894 | $6,407.80 | $96,117 | $88,417 |
Each additional person adds $7,838 in the 48 states and DC, $9,798 in Alaska and $9,011 in Hawaii.
Worked example
A household of 3 in the 48 states has a 2026 guideline of $27,320. At 138% the line is $37,702 a year, or $3,141.80 a month. A household income of $36,000 is 131.8% of the guideline and under the line; $40,000 would be 146.4% and over it. In Alaska the same three-person line is $47,127.
Common mix-ups
- 138% is not a separate guideline. It is the 2026 guideline times 1.38; the rule says 133% with a 5-point disregard.
- MAGI income is not the same as take-home pay. Medicaid counts modified adjusted gross income under federal rules, so use the amount your state agency counts.
- This group does not include everyone. The rule covers adults 19 to 64 who are not pregnant, not on Medicare and not eligible under another mandatory group.
- Coverage depends on your state's program. Check with your state Medicaid agency; the rule also now refers to a community engagement requirement from its implementation date.
- Not the same as ACA marketplace subsidies. Those use their own percentage ranges of the guideline.
Method
The household guideline for the size and region is multiplied by 1.38 for the annual line and divided by 12 for the monthly line. Your income as a percentage is income ÷ the guideline. Nothing is rounded before the percentage is shown to one decimal place.
What this does not cover
- Your state's adopted income counting, deductions and any categories that differ.
- Children, pregnant women, parents and disabled-person Medicaid groups.
- The community engagement (work) requirement; see the Medicaid work requirement pages.
- Marketplace premium tax credit eligibility.
Figures read from the sources below on November 9, 2026. Last updated November 9, 2026.
Sources
- HHS ASPE: 2026 Poverty Guidelines (retrieved November 9, 2026)
- eCFR: 42 CFR 435.119 Coverage for individuals age 19 or older and under age 65 at or below 133 percent FPL (retrieved November 9, 2026)
- eCFR: 42 CFR 435.603 Application of modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) (retrieved November 9, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What is 138% of the federal poverty level for 2026?
$22,025 a year for one person and $45,540 for a family of four in the 48 states and DC.
Why do people say 138% for Medicaid?
The federal rule sets 133% of the poverty level for the adult group, and a 5-percentage-point disregard applied to the highest MAGI income standard makes the effective line 138%.
What is 138% of the poverty level for a family of three?
$37,702 a year, or $3,141.80 a month, in the 48 states and DC.
Is the 138% line higher in Alaska and Hawaii?
Yes. For one person it is $27,531 in Alaska and $25,337 in Hawaii.
Who does the 133% rule cover?
Adults age 19 to 64, not pregnant, not entitled to or enrolled in Medicare Part A or B, and not otherwise eligible for a mandatory Medicaid group.
Does a state have to cover everyone under 138%?
The regulation describes the group the agency must cover; confirm coverage and income counting with your state Medicaid agency.
Are these the 2026 or 2027 numbers?
The 2026 HHS poverty guidelines, the current set as of November 2026. HHS publishes the next set in January.
Not legal or tax advice
This page is general information from an unofficial guide, not legal or tax advice, and it is not an eligibility decision. Programs and thresholds change and the figures here are estimates. Confirm with the agency that runs the program before you apply or file. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.