East-West Gateway’s August 2023 Map of the Month depicts the estimated population living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The FPL is a fundamental measure used to assess the minimal annual income necessary for individuals and families to cover essential expenses like housing, clothing, and transportation. This measure is tailored to account for household size and location and is adjusted annually by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) using data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Numerous state initiatives rely on the FPL as a basis for setting income criteria, particularly in programs aimed at supporting elderly or disabled individuals. Medicaid programs in different states often use these criteria, typically as a percentage of the FPL, to determine eligibility for various groups, including the Aged, Blind or Disabled, Children Under 18, and Pregnant Women. Equally important is the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR), which establishes the upper limit for monthly disbursements in programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a critical resource for those who are aged, blind, or disabled.
For context, the 2023 Poverty Guidelines, synonymous with the Federal Poverty Level, are based on household composition and state of residence. It is common for assistance programs, including certain Medicaid programs, to align income thresholds with a percentage of the FPL, such as 100%, 138% or 200%. A single person living in most states (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) would be at 200% of the FPL with an annual income of $27,180, while a family of four would have an annual income of $55,500.