What are the federal poverty level guidelines for Medicaid, Food Stamps (SNAP), and HUD Section 8 Housing for 2026?
Guidelines determine eligibility for The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation recently published the poverty level guidelines for many of the federal assistance programs, for 2026.
Federal Poverty Level Guidelines for 2026
As of January 15, 2026, the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines are important for determining eligibility for programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps (SNAP), and Section 8 Housing through HUD. Here are the details for each program:
Federal Poverty Level Guidelines
| Household Size | 100% FPL (48 Contiguous States) | 138% FPL (Medicaid Expansion) | 130% FPL (SNAP) | 200% FPL (General Assistance) | 400% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $22,025 | $20,748 | $31,920 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $28,781 | $28,781 | $43,280 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $37,702 | $35,896 | $54,640 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $45,540 | $43,920 | $66,000 | $132,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $53,378 | $51,944 | $77,360 | $154,720 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $61,217 | $60,420 | $88,720 | $176,160 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $69,055 | $69,140 | $100,080 | $197,600 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $76,893 | $77,600 | $111,440 | $219,040 |
| 9+ | Add $5,680 per additional person | Add $7,104 per additional person | Add $8,500 per additional person | Add $11,320 per additional person | Add $22,080 per additional person |
Medicaid Eligibility
In states that have expanded Medicaid, eligibility is typically set at up to 138% of the FPL. This means that a single-person household with an income of $22,025 would qualify.
SNAP (Food Stamps) Eligibility
For SNAP, eligibility is generally limited to those with household incomes below 130% of the FPL. Therefore, a household of one would need to have an income below $20,748 to qualify.
HUD Section 8 Housing
For HUD’s Section 8 Housing program, eligibility is based on income limits that correspond with the FPL. Generally, very low-income households (those earning 50% or less of the area median) may qualify. These limits can vary by geographic location.
Additional Information
The guidelines for Alaska and Hawaii are higher due to the cost of living in these areas. For instance, in Alaska, the 100% FPL for a single-person household is around $19,950, while in Hawaii, it’s approximately $18,360.
These poverty guidelines are reviewed annually and are adjusted based on inflation and other economic factors.