Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your household's Federal Poverty Level (FPL) status based on your household size and annual income. The FPL is a measure of income issued annually by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is used to determine eligibility for various federal programs and benefits.
Understanding the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is a set of income thresholds used by the U.S. government to determine who is eligible for federal assistance programs. These thresholds are updated annually by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and vary based on the number of people in a household.
How FPL is Determined
The FPL is calculated based on a national standard, with different income cutoffs for different household sizes. For example, the poverty guideline for a single person is lower than for a family of four. For household sizes larger than eight people, an additional amount is added for each extra person.
Why FPL Matters
Many federal and state programs use the FPL as a benchmark for eligibility. These can include:
- Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)
- Subsidies for health insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- Housing assistance programs
- Child care assistance
- Educational grants and scholarships
Eligibility for these programs is often expressed as a percentage of the FPL (e.g., "up to 138% of FPL" or "below 200% of FPL").
Important Considerations
- Annual Updates: The FPL guidelines are updated every year, typically in January. Always refer to the official HHS website for the most current and accurate figures. The values used in this calculator are illustrative examples and may not reflect the absolute latest guidelines.
- Income Definition: "Income" for FPL purposes generally refers to gross cash income before taxes. It includes earnings, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), public assistance, veterans' payments, survivor benefits, pension or retirement income, interest, dividends, rents, royalties, estates, trusts, educational assistance, alimony, child support, assistance from outside the household, and other miscellaneous sources.
- Household Definition: A "household" typically includes all related individuals living together, plus any unrelated individuals who are considered part of the economic unit.
.fpl-calculator-container {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
padding: 25px;
border-radius: 10px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
max-width: 700px;
margin: 20px auto;
color: #333;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.fpl-calculator-container h2,
.fpl-calculator-container h3 {
color: #0056b3;
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.fpl-calculator-container h3 {
margin-top: 30px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #eee;
padding-bottom: 10px;
}
.fpl-calculator-container p {
margin-bottom: 15px;
text-align: justify;
}
.calculator-form .form-group {
margin-bottom: 18px;
}
.calculator-form label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 8px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #555;
}
.calculator-form input[type="number"] {
width: calc(100% – 22px);
padding: 12px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.calculator-form input[type="number"]:focus {
border-color: #007bff;
outline: none;
box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.25);
}
.calculator-form small {
display: block;
margin-top: 5px;
color: #666;
font-size: 0.85em;
}
.calculator-form button {
background-color: #28a745;
color: white;
padding: 12px 25px;
border: none;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 18px;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.3s ease;
display: block;
width: 100%;
margin-top: 25px;
}
.calculator-form button:hover {
background-color: #218838;
}
.calculator-result {
margin-top: 30px;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #e9f7ef;
border: 1px solid #d4edda;
border-radius: 8px;
font-size: 1.1em;
color: #155724;
text-align: center;
}
.calculator-result p {
margin: 8px 0;
font-weight: bold;
}
.calculator-result .status-above {
color: #28a745;
}
.calculator-result .status-below {
color: #dc3545;
}
.fpl-calculator-container ul {
list-style-type: disc;
margin-left: 20px;
padding-left: 0;
}
.fpl-calculator-container li {
margin-bottom: 8px;
}
.fpl-calculator-container a {
color: #007bff;
text-decoration: none;
}
.fpl-calculator-container a:hover {
text-decoration: underline;
}
function calculateFPL() {
var householdSizeInput = document.getElementById("householdSize");
var annualIncomeInput = document.getElementById("annualIncome");
var fplResultDiv = document.getElementById("fplResult");
var householdSize = parseFloat(householdSizeInput.value);
var annualIncome = parseFloat(annualIncomeInput.value);
// FPL data for 2024 (illustrative example, always check official HHS for current year)
// Source: https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines
// For 48 Contiguous States and D.C.
var fplData = {
1: 15060,
2: 20440,
3: 25820,
4: 31200,
5: 36580,
6: 41960,
7: 47340,
8: 52720
};
var additionalPersonAmount = 5380; // For each additional person over 8
fplResultDiv.innerHTML = ""; // Clear previous results
if (isNaN(householdSize) || householdSize < 1) {
fplResultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid household size (a positive number).";
return;
}
if (isNaN(annualIncome) || annualIncome < 0) {
fplResultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid annual income (a non-negative number).";
return;
}
var federalPovertyLevel;
if (householdSize = federalPovertyLevel) ? "status-above" : "status-below";
var statusText = (annualIncome >= federalPovertyLevel) ? "ABOVE" : "BELOW";
fplResultDiv.innerHTML =
"For a household of
" + householdSize + " people, the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is:
$" + federalPovertyLevel.toLocaleString('en-US') + "" +
"Your Annual Household Income:
$" + annualIncome.toLocaleString('en-US') + "" +
"Your income is
" + percentageOfFPL.toFixed(2) + "% of the FPL." +
"Your household's income is
" + statusText + " the Federal Poverty Level." +
"
Note: FPL guidelines are updated annually. Always refer to the official HHS website for the most current figures.";
}