Federal Poverty Level Calculator

Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Calculator (2024)

Enter the total number of people in your household.

Enter your total annual household income before taxes.

Your FPL Status:

Please enter values and click 'Calculate'.

function calculateFPL() { var householdSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById('householdSize').value); var annualIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('annualIncome').value); var fplStatusDiv = document.getElementById('fplStatus'); if (isNaN(householdSize) || householdSize < 1 || !Number.isInteger(householdSize)) { fplStatusDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid household size (a whole number greater than 0).'; return; } if (isNaN(annualIncome) || annualIncome < 0) { fplStatusDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid annual household income (a non-negative number).'; return; } // 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia // Source: https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines var baseFPL = 15060; // FPL for 1 person var incrementPerPerson = 5380; // Increment for each additional person over 1 var calculatedFPL; if (householdSize === 1) { calculatedFPL = baseFPL; } else { calculatedFPL = baseFPL + (householdSize – 1) * incrementPerPerson; } var percentageOfFPL = (annualIncome / calculatedFPL) * 100; var resultText = "For a household of " + householdSize + " people, the 2024 Federal Poverty Level is $" + calculatedFPL.toLocaleString() + "."; resultText += "Your annual household income of $" + annualIncome.toLocaleString() + " is " + percentageOfFPL.toFixed(2) + "% of the FPL."; if (annualIncome < calculatedFPL) { resultText += 'Your household income is BELOW the Federal Poverty Level.'; } else if (annualIncome === calculatedFPL) { resultText += 'Your household income is AT the Federal Poverty Level.'; } else { resultText += 'Your household income is ABOVE the Federal Poverty Level.'; } fplStatusDiv.innerHTML = resultText; }

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 various federal programs and benefits. Established by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), these guidelines are updated annually and vary based on household size.

What is the FPL?

The FPL represents the minimum annual income a household needs to afford basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing. It's not a perfect measure of poverty, as it doesn't account for regional cost-of-living differences, but it serves as a critical benchmark for policy-making and program eligibility across the nation.

How is the FPL Calculated?

The FPL is primarily determined by two factors: the number of people in a household and the specific year. For 2024, the poverty guideline for a single person is $15,060. For each additional person in the household, an increment of $5,380 is added to this base amount. For example:

• 1-person household: $15,060
• 2-person household: $15,060 + $5,380 = $20,440
• 3-person household: $20,440 + $5,380 = $25,820
• And so on…

Our calculator uses these 2024 guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Alaska and Hawaii have separate, higher poverty guidelines due to their higher cost of living.

Why is the FPL Important?

The FPL is crucial because it dictates eligibility for a wide array of federal and state assistance programs. These can include:

• Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)
• Subsidies for health insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces
• Food assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
• Housing assistance programs
• Child care assistance
• Educational grants and student aid
• Legal aid services

Many programs use percentages of the FPL (e.g., 138% FPL, 200% FPL) as their eligibility cutoffs, meaning a household could be above the FPL but still qualify for significant assistance.

Using the Calculator

To use this calculator, simply enter your total household size (including yourself, spouse, and dependents) and your total annual household income before taxes. The calculator will then tell you your household's specific 2024 FPL threshold, your income's percentage of that FPL, and whether your income falls above, at, or below the guideline.

Disclaimer

This calculator provides an estimate based on the 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered official determination of eligibility for any federal or state programs. For official eligibility, please consult the specific program's guidelines or a qualified professional.