United States · Poverty guidelines · 2026
Federal poverty level 2026, family of 1.
The 2026 poverty guideline for one person, the percentage lines programs use, and a check of a single adult's income.
Short answer: The 2026 federal poverty guideline for one person in the 48 states and D.C. is $15,960 a year, or $1,330 a month. 133 percent is $21,227, 138 percent is $22,025, 150 percent is $23,940, 200 percent is $31,920 and 400 percent is $63,840. Alaska is $19,950 and Hawaii $18,360 for one person.
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The 2026 figures for one person
| Percent of poverty | Yearly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | $15,960 | $1,330 |
| 133% | $21,227 | $1,769 |
| 138% | $22,025 | $1,835 |
| 150% | $23,940 | $1,995 |
| 200% | $31,920 | $2,660 |
| 250% | $39,900 | $3,325 |
| 300% | $47,880 | $3,990 |
| 400% | $63,840 | $5,320 |
These are for the 48 states and D.C. The 100% guideline for one person is $19,950 in Alaska and $18,360 in Hawaii.
Which year each program uses
| Program or rule | Poverty line used | Which year's guideline |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP gross income test (130%) and net test (100%) | 100% and 130% | The 2026 guideline for fiscal year 2027, in effect from October 1, 2026 (USDA memo of August 21, 2026) |
| ACA premium tax credit, coverage year 2027 | Up to 400% | The 2026 guideline, because credits use the guideline published the year before coverage |
| Medicaid and CHIP | Varies by state, often 133% to 400% | The state's limit follows the current guideline when the state updates it |
| WIC | 185% | The guideline in effect on July 1 of the program year |
What changed for 2026
HHS raised the one-person guideline for 2026 to $15,960. The guideline for each size is the previous year's figure updated by inflation, and for 2026 ASPE compared 11 months of 2025 CPI-U with 12 months of 2024 because the BLS did not publish October 2025. The 2027 guideline is expected in January 2027.
Worked example
A single adult with $25,000 of income is at 157 percent of poverty ($25,000 divided by $15,960). That is above 138 percent ($22,025) and 150 percent ($23,940), and below 200 percent ($31,920). Income of $22,000 is 137.8 percent, just under the 138 percent line used for Medicaid expansion adults in many states.
Common mix-ups
- One person means the household, not the person's age. A single adult living with others may count a larger household for some programs.
- 133% and 138% are different lines. $21,227 and $22,025 for one person; programs name the one they use.
- Monthly is yearly divided by 12. $15,960 is $1,330 a month.
- Alaska and Hawaii are higher. $19,950 and $18,360.
- 2026 numbers apply to 2027 marketplace coverage. Check the program year.
Method
The one-person guideline is the figure published by ASPE and read on November 9, 2026. Each percentage is that figure times the percentage, rounded to the nearest dollar, and the monthly figure is the yearly figure divided by 12. The checker divides your yearly income by the guideline for your region.
What this does not cover
- Any program's final eligibility, which depends on its own deductions and household definition.
- Larger households, which are on the 2026 poverty level chart.
- The 2027 guidelines, which have not been published.
- Territories other than the 50 states and D.C.
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)
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-26: 2027 applicable percentage table (400% of the poverty line cap) (retrieved November 9, 2026)
- USDA SNAP Fiscal Year 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (memo dated August 21, 2026) (retrieved November 9, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What is the federal poverty level for 1 person in 2026?
$15,960 a year in the 48 states and D.C., $1,330 a month.
What is 138% of the poverty level for a single person in 2026?
$22,025 a year, from $15,960 times 1.38.
What is 200% of poverty for one person in 2026?
$31,920 a year.
What is 400% of poverty for one person in 2026?
$63,840 a year.
Is the single-person poverty level different in Alaska or Hawaii?
Yes: $19,950 in Alaska and $18,360 in Hawaii.
Is $15,960 the same as the poverty threshold?
No. It is the HHS guideline for eligibility; the Census Bureau threshold is a different statistical measure.
Where is the official figure?
The HHS ASPE poverty guidelines page, linked in the sources.
Not financial or legal advice
This page is general information from an unofficial guide, not financial or legal advice. Each program decides which poverty guideline and percentage it uses and when it updates. Check with the program. Nothing you type is sent anywhere. It runs in your browser.