United States · Poverty guidelines · 2026
Federal poverty level 2026, family of 2.
The 2026 poverty guideline for two people, the percentage lines programs use, and a check for a couple or a parent with one child.
Short answer: The 2026 federal poverty guideline for a household of two in the 48 states and D.C. is $21,640 a year, or $1,803 a month. 133 percent is $28,781, 138 percent is $29,863, 150 percent is $32,460, 200 percent is $43,280 and 400 percent is $86,560. Alaska is $27,050 and Hawaii $24,890 for two people.
Check income for a household of 2
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The 2026 figures for two people
| Percent of poverty | Yearly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | $21,640 | $1,803 |
| 133% | $28,781 | $2,398 |
| 138% | $29,863 | $2,489 |
| 150% | $32,460 | $2,705 |
| 200% | $43,280 | $3,607 |
| 250% | $54,100 | $4,508 |
| 300% | $64,920 | $5,410 |
| 400% | $86,560 | $7,213 |
These are for the 48 states and D.C. The 100% guideline for two people is $27,050 in Alaska and $24,890 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
The two-person guideline for 2026 is $21,640, which is $5,680 above the one-person figure of $15,960; each further person adds the same $5,680 in the 48 states and D.C. ASPE adjusted the 2026 figures with 11 months of 2025 CPI-U data because the BLS did not publish October 2025. The 2027 guideline is expected in January 2027.
Worked example
A parent and child with $35,000 of income are at 162 percent of poverty ($35,000 divided by $21,640). That is above 150 percent ($32,460) and below 200 percent ($43,280). A married couple with $29,000 is at 134 percent, just above 133 percent ($28,781) and under 138 percent ($29,863).
Common mix-ups
- Two people can be a couple or a parent and child. The guideline is by head count, not relationship.
- The step from one to two is $5,680. From $15,960 to $21,640.
- Monthly is yearly divided by 12. $21,640 is $1,803.33 a month.
- Alaska and Hawaii are higher. $27,050 and $24,890.
- Programs count the household their own way. Tax households and SNAP households can differ.
Method
The two-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 2 people in 2026?
$21,640 a year in the 48 states and D.C., $1,803 a month.
What is 138% of the poverty level for a family of 2 in 2026?
$29,863 a year, from $21,640 times 1.38.
What is 200% of poverty for 2 people in 2026?
$43,280 a year.
What is 400% of poverty for a family of 2 in 2026?
$86,560 a year.
Is the family-of-2 poverty level different in Alaska or Hawaii?
Yes: $27,050 in Alaska and $24,890 in Hawaii.
What is the difference between one and two people?
$5,680 in the 48 states and D.C., from $15,960 to $21,640.
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.