Federal Poverty Level Rises 2.6% For 2026

The federal poverty level (FPL) inched up 2.6% for 2026, to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI–U) between 2024 and 2025. The FPL guidelines are used by Medicaid and other federal programs as a criterion for some or all eligibility determinations.

The 2026 FPL for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia for household sizes of one to five people is as follows:

One person: $15,960, and the 135% FPL Medicaid limit in expansion states is $21,546.

Two people: $21,640, and the 135% FPL Medicaid limit . . .