What is the Federal Poverty Level in 2022
There are many grants and assistance programs that can help struggling single moms in the country. In order to make sure the people with the most need receive these critical resources, governments typically limit who can receive them based on their income in relation to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
Table of Contents
- What is the Federal Poverty Level?
- Federal Poverty Level Thresholds
- Assistance for single moms based on Federal Poverty Levels
- Conclusion
Some programs require 200% of the Federal Poverty Level; others require 138%; and there are programs at almost every level in between, which can make it confusing and difficult to figure out if you qualify.
If you’ve been trying to figure out what the Federal Poverty Level in 2022 is, and if your income qualifies for these much-needed programs, we’re here to help. We’ll break down all the information you need to know in the article below.
What is the Federal Poverty Level?
The Federal Poverty Level, or FPL, is a number set by the United States government that determines the minimum amount of income required to fulfill basic needs like food, based on a family’s gross (pre-tax) income and the number of members in the household.
Households that fall under the Federal Poverty Level are considered “poor” or “low income”, as they do not make enough money to pay for basic needs.
The income thresholds are determined by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) every year. As the costs of food and goods rise over time, the income thresholds of the Federal Poverty Levels also increase.
If you’re a struggling single mom (or anyone that needs assistance), knowing where you fall on the Federal Poverty threshold is important, as many state and federal programs are based on these levels.
Federal Poverty Level Thresholds
The Federal Poverty Levels change every year as the costs of food and other goods rise.
Here are the 2022 Federal Poverty Levels as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Most government assistance programs are based on your annual income, however, the tables below break down the income limits into annual and monthly figures so it’s easier for you to determine where you fall.
Lastly, the Federal Poverty Levels are slightly different between the 48 contiguous U.S. states, Alaska, and Hawaii; so we’ve listed all three tables below.
2022 Federal Poverty Levels in the 48 contiguous states
Here are the 2022 Federal Poverty levels in the 48 contiguous states, which means every U.S. state other than Alaska or Hawaii.
| People in Household | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| 1 | $1,133 | $13,590 |
| 2 | $1,526 | $18,310 |
| 3 | $1,919 | $23,030 |
| 4 | $2,313 | $27,750 |
| 5 | $2,706 | $32,470 |
| 6 | $3,099 | $37,190 |
| 7 | $3,493 | $41,910 |
| 8 | $3,886 | $46,630 |
2022 Federal Poverty Levels in Hawaii
Hawaii’s Federal Poverty Levels are slightly higher than the 48 contiguous U.S. states, due to a higher cost of living. Below are the Federal Poverty Levels in Hawaii in 2022.
| People in Household | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| 1 | $1,303 | $15,630 |
| 2 | $1,755 | $28,010 |
| 3 | $2,208 | $35,232 |
| 4 | $2,660 | $42,454 |
| 5 | $3,113 | $49,676 |
| 6 | $3,565 | $56,897 |
| 7 | $4,018 | $64,119 |
| 8 | $4,470 | $71,341 |
2022 Federal Poverty Levels in Alaska
Alaska’s Federal Poverty Levels are the highest in the nation. Here are the 2022 FPL thresholds in Alaska.
| People in Household | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| 1 | $1,416 | $16,990 |
| 2 | $1,908 | $22,890 |
| 3 | $2,399 | $28,790 |
| 4 | $2,891 | $34,690 |
| 5 | $3,383 | $40,590 |
| 6 | $3,874 | $46,490 |
| 7 | $4,366 | $52,390 |
| 8 | $4,858 | $58,290 |
Assistance for single moms based on Federal Poverty Levels
Knowing the Federal Poverty Levels is not enough to determine if you qualify for state and federal programs, as many programs are based on income levels that are above or below the poverty levels. This is typically represented as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level. For example, the minimum income threshold for Medicaid in many states is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can do the math yourself in order to figure out if you qualify for a certain program, but in order to help you get the information that you need faster, we’ve created several resources that show important FPL levels for some of the most common assistance programs. You can navigate to the pages below to determine if your income falls within the required level.
Conclusion
If you’re seeking assistance and want to apply to certain state and federal programs, it’s important that you understand what the Federal Poverty Levels are and where you fall based on your income and household size. The information above should make it easier for you to make that determination so that you know which programs you can qualify for.
