Last updated: May 25, 2026
You may be staring at an application that says your income must be under 150%, 200%, or 80% of something, while your heat is off, your utility bill is past due, or your home needs repairs you cannot pay for. The Federal Poverty Level can help explain some of those numbers, but it is not the only income test programs use.
What this page helps solve
Federal Poverty Level, often shortened to FPL, is a yearly income guideline issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The official 2026 poverty guidelines were published in the Federal Register notice and took effect January 13, 2026, unless a program sets a different effective date. HHS also keeps current and past poverty guidelines on its ASPE site.
Many assistance programs do not ask, “Are you poor?” Instead, they ask whether your household income is below a certain percentage of the poverty guideline, state median income, or local area median income. That difference matters. A person who looks over the limit for one program may still fit another.
For home repair and home safety help, FPL most often appears in energy-related programs. It can affect LIHEAP, weatherization, some utility hardship programs, Community Action Agency intake, and local nonprofit screening. But many housing repair programs use HUD area income limits instead of FPL. USDA rural repair help uses county-based very-low-income limits, not the national FPL table.
Practical rule: Do not stop after one income table. Always ask the local office which income test it uses, which year of the guideline it uses, what period of income it counts, and whether deductions or categorical eligibility apply.
Fastest realistic starting points
If the house is unsafe, the utility is about to be shut off, or you have no heat or safe cooling, do not spend the whole day trying to calculate FPL. Use the table below to choose the first call.
| Problem today | First place to try | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Shutoff notice, no heat, no cooling in dangerous heat, or fuel almost gone | Local LIHEAP office, utility company, or 211 | Ask for crisis energy help, utility hardship funds, payment plans, and medical protection rules if someone in the home has a serious health need. |
| Very high energy bills, drafts, unsafe furnace, poor insulation, or old heating equipment | Weatherization provider or Community Action Agency | Ask to be screened for Weatherization Assistance Program services and any repair readiness help. |
| Rural home with a serious health or safety repair | USDA Rural Development | Ask whether the address is rural-eligible and whether you fit Section 504 repair loan or grant rules. |
| Roof, sewer, wiring, plumbing, code, accessibility, or structural repair | City or county housing department | Ask whether owner-occupied rehab, emergency repair, deferred loan, or grant intake is open for your address. |
| Mortgage trouble, repair loan pressure, lien, tax sale, or foreclosure risk | HUD-approved housing counselor | Ask for help reviewing your options before you sign a loan, lien, contractor financing agreement, or deed-related document. |
If there is immediate danger: For fire, gas smell, carbon monoxide alarm, exposed live wiring, collapse risk, or a medical emergency, call 911 or your utility emergency line first. Income eligibility can wait until people are safe.
For energy help, the official LIHEAP contact map lists state and territory contacts. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse also has a local office search. If you cannot find the right office, the National Energy Assistance Referral line is listed by the LIHEAP Clearinghouse at 1-866-674-6327, with TTY 1-866-367-6228.
For utility help outside LIHEAP, 211 utility help can point you to local agencies, hardship funds, and nonprofit resources. For foreclosure, mortgage, or repair-financing stress, the CFPB has a counselor search, and HUD lists its housing counseling number as 800-569-4287 on its housing counseling page.
2026 Federal Poverty Level amounts
The 2026 poverty guideline is an annual number. Programs may turn it into monthly, weekly, or current-income limits. Some programs use last 30 days of income. Others use the past year. Some use gross income before taxes. Others exclude certain benefits or count only certain household members.
The table below shows common percentages for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. It is a guide for understanding applications, not a guarantee that you qualify.
| Household size | 100% FPL | 150% FPL | 200% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $23,940 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $32,460 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $40,980 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $49,500 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $58,020 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $66,540 | $88,720 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $75,060 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $83,580 | $111,440 |
For households larger than 8 in the 48 states and D.C., the 2026 guideline adds $5,680 for each extra person at 100% FPL. That means $8,520 more at 150% FPL and $11,360 more at 200% FPL.
Alaska and Hawaii have separate poverty guideline amounts. In 2026, a family of 4 is $41,250 at 100% FPL in Alaska and $37,950 at 100% FPL in Hawaii. At 200% FPL, that is $82,500 in Alaska and $75,900 in Hawaii. For more than 8 people, Alaska adds $7,100 per extra person at 100% FPL, and Hawaii adds $6,530 per extra person at 100% FPL.
The federal poverty guidelines are not defined for Puerto Rico and other outlying jurisdictions in the same way. HHS says the federal office that runs a program generally decides whether to use the contiguous-states-and-D.C. guidelines or another method for those areas. That is why territorial programs may post their own income chart.
How to use FPL without making a bad guess
Start with the number of people in the household that the program counts. This is not always the same as everyone who gets mail at the address. A program may count spouses, children, unrelated adults, tenants, boarders, college students, or temporarily absent household members differently.
Next, ask which income period the program uses. If you lost work last month, a yearly tax return may make you look over the limit even though your current income is lower. Some programs have a way to explain this change. Others must follow a strict rule.
Then ask what income is counted. Social Security, SSI, wages, pensions, unemployment, child support, self-employment, veterans benefits, rental income, and help from relatives can all be handled differently. HHS says the poverty guideline notice itself does not define income or family for every program. The program rules or the local agency do that.
Simple FPL check
- Write down each person living in the home.
- Circle the people the program says count as household members.
- Add the income the program says counts.
- Match the household size to the correct state group: 48 states/D.C., Alaska, or Hawaii.
- Compare your income to the program percentage, such as 150% or 200% FPL.
- Still apply or call if you are close, because some programs use different periods, deductions, or automatic eligibility rules.
FPL is not the same as AMI or SMI
This is where many homeowners get stuck. One program may say you are under 200% FPL. Another may say you must be under 80% AMI. A third may use 60% SMI. These are different yardsticks.
| Income test | What it means | Where it often appears | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| FPL | Federal Poverty Level, based on household size and state group | LIHEAP, weatherization, some utility and nonprofit intake | Easy to compare nationally, but may not reflect local housing costs. |
| AMI | Area Median Income, usually based on HUD local income limits | City rehab, CDBG, HOME, housing repair loans, affordability programs | A high-cost county may have much higher income limits than a low-cost rural county. |
| SMI | State Median Income | LIHEAP in some states, energy programs, state benefit charts | A state may use SMI when federal LIHEAP rules allow it. |
| County very-low limit | A local limit based on USDA or HUD rules | USDA Section 504 and some rural housing programs | You must check your county and household size, not only the FPL chart. |
HUD publishes annual income limits for many housing programs. HUD Exchange also explains CPD income limits used by Community Development programs. These are often the numbers behind city and county owner-occupied rehab programs.
USDA Section 504 repair help is a good example of why FPL is not enough. USDA says its Section 504 program serves very-low-income homeowners in eligible rural areas. It has a 1% loan option and a grant option for homeowners age 62 or older who cannot repay a loan, but eligibility depends on USDA rules, county limits, ownership, occupancy, credit elsewhere, and rural location. You can also check addresses through the USDA eligibility site.
For a deeper HomeRepairGrants.org overview of common repair paths, see the Weatherization guide, USDA repair guide, senior repair grants, HOME program guide, and repair assistance list.
How FPL shows up in real assistance programs
LIHEAP
LIHEAP is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It can help with heating, cooling, crisis assistance, and in some places energy-related repair or weatherization. It is federally funded but run by states, tribes, territories, and local agencies.
Federal LIHEAP rules let grant recipients set income rules within limits. The official LIHEAP information says income eligibility may not be more than the greater of 150% of FPL or 60% of state median income, and may not be set below 110% of FPL. Some places also use categorical eligibility if a household already receives certain benefits such as TANF, SNAP, SSI, or certain means-tested veterans programs. Check the LIHEAP income rules and your local office before assuming you are over the limit.
Weatherization
The Weatherization Assistance Program can reduce energy costs by improving a home after an energy audit. The Department of Energy says WAP is administered at the state and local level, and households at or below 200% of poverty income guidelines, or households receiving SSI, are considered eligible under DOE guidelines. States may also use certain LIHEAP criteria. DOE’s weatherization application page explains the basic steps.
Weatherization is not a cash grant to spend on any repair. A local provider usually reviews income, places eligible households on a waitlist, performs an energy audit, prepares a scope of work, uses approved crews or contractors, and completes a final inspection. The federal WAP rules also require priority for elderly persons, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and households with high energy burden.
City and county repair programs
Many city and county repair programs are not based on FPL. They may use HUD low- and moderate-income limits, often 80% AMI, or stricter limits such as 50% AMI. They may also require that you own and live in the home, be current on property taxes or have a payment plan, carry homeowners insurance if available, have clear title or a legal ownership interest, and allow inspections.
Utility and nonprofit programs
Utility hardship funds, church repair ministries, Area Agencies on Aging, disability programs, veterans groups, and local nonprofits may use FPL, AMI, benefit status, age, disability, hardship, or a mix. Some programs have more flexible screening. Others must follow a grant contract. Always ask what rule they must use.
Documents you may need
Gather documents before you call, but do not wait weeks to request help if there is an emergency. Many agencies can tell you what to bring or upload.
- Photo ID for the applicant.
- Social Security numbers or benefit letters if the program asks for them.
- Proof of everyone in the household, such as lease, school record, benefit letter, or written household statement.
- Recent pay stubs, Social Security award letter, SSI or SSDI letter, pension statement, unemployment record, child support proof, or self-employment records.
- Most recent federal tax return if the program uses annual income.
- Current utility bill, shutoff notice, fuel bill, or account number for energy programs.
- Proof you own and live in the home, such as deed, tax bill, mortgage statement, manufactured-home title, or heirs’ property documents.
- Photos of the repair problem, violation notice, contractor estimate, or inspection report if the program asks.
- Insurance claim or denial if the damage may be storm, fire, flood, or disaster-related.
If your income just dropped: Ask, “Can I document current income instead of last year’s tax return?” Some programs can use recent income. Some cannot. The answer can change whether you are screened correctly.
Short phone scripts
Calling LIHEAP
Hello, I live in [city/county]. I need help with [shutoff notice/no heat/high bill/fuel]. My household has [number] people. Can you tell me the current income limit, what income period you count, and whether you use FPL, state median income, or categorical eligibility?
Calling weatherization
Hello, I want to apply for weatherization. My home has [drafts/high bills/furnace problem/unsafe heating]. Do you serve my ZIP code? What 2026 income guideline do you use, and what documents do I need to get on the waitlist?
Calling a city repair office
Hello, I own and live in my home at [address]. I need help with [repair]. Do you have an owner-occupied repair program open? Do you use FPL or HUD income limits? Are there liens, loans, inspections, contractor rules, or waitlists?
If you are denied
I received a denial or was told I am over income. Can you explain which income rule was used, which household members were counted, what income period was reviewed, and whether I can correct documents, appeal, or be referred to another program?
What to do if you are denied, delayed, or waitlisted
A denial does not always mean there is no help. It may mean the office used one funding source with one income rule. Ask for the reason in writing or take notes during the call. Then ask whether another program uses a different rule.
Common mistakes that cause problems
- Using the FPL chart when the program actually uses HUD AMI.
- Counting monthly income one way when the agency uses annual or 30-day income.
- Leaving out a household member who the program requires you to count.
- Assuming Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits, or child support are counted the same in every program.
- Applying to the state office when intake must go through a county, tribe, Community Action Agency, or local provider.
- Missing a deadline, recertification date, or document request.
- Starting repair work before written approval when the program requires pre-approval and approved contractors.
If you are waitlisted for weatherization, ask whether there is a separate crisis furnace program, utility hardship fund, city rehab program, or nonprofit repair route. If you are denied LIHEAP because income is too high, ask your utility about a payment arrangement, medical certification rules, budget billing, arrears management, or charitable fuel fund. If you are denied by a city repair program using AMI, ask whether weatherization, USDA, an Area Agency on Aging, or a disability modification program uses a different test.
If paperwork is overwhelming, a HUD-approved housing counselor, legal aid office, Community Action Agency, senior center, disability resource center, tribal office, or 211 specialist may be able to help you sort the forms. They usually cannot change the rules, but they can help you avoid missing the right door.
Approvals, inspections, estimates, and contractor rules
Income eligibility is only one gate. Repair and energy programs may also inspect the home, decide whether the home is safe enough for work, limit what repairs are covered, or require a specific contractor process.
Weatherization usually starts with an energy audit, not a homeowner shopping list. The provider decides which measures are cost-effective and allowed. If the home has hazards that stop weatherization, such as major roof leaks, severe electrical problems, mold, pests, or structural danger, the job may be deferred until those issues are fixed. Some areas have limited repair readiness funds, but not all do.
City and county repair programs may need bids, environmental review, lead-based paint steps, title checks, homeowner agreements, permits, and final inspections. USDA repair applications may take time because the office must review eligibility, rural location, income, ownership, ability to repay if a loan is involved, and the proposed repair.
Do not assume reimbursement: Many programs will not repay you for work already done. Ask before you sign a contractor agreement or pay a deposit.
Scam and financing cautions
Be careful with anyone who says a government grant is guaranteed, asks for a fee to unlock a grant, contacts you out of nowhere on social media, or pressures you to send cash, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or bank information. The FTC warns about grant scams, and HHS says it is illegal to ask someone to pay to apply for or improve their odds of getting a federal grant on its grant scam warning page.
Home repair scams can also look like a contractor who shows up after a storm, says the deal is only good today, wants a large cash deposit, refuses a written contract, or tells you not to call the local program. The FTC’s home improvement scams guide explains warning signs.
If you are considering a home equity loan, HELOC, reverse mortgage, contractor financing, or tax-lien-related deal to pay for repairs, slow down. The CFPB explains that a HELOC lets you borrow against home equity, which can put the home at risk if payments are not affordable. Talk with a HUD-approved housing counselor before using your home as collateral.
Backup options when one income rule blocks you
If you are over one FPL limit, you may still have options. Ask whether the repair relates to health and safety, disability access, aging in place, disaster recovery, code enforcement, energy burden, or utility shutoff. Different funding sources treat those problems differently.
- Ask the utility for hardship funds, payment plans, budget billing, arrears help, and medical protection rules.
- Ask weatherization whether health and safety or repair readiness funds exist in your area.
- Ask city or county housing staff whether any owner-occupied rehab programs use HUD AMI instead of FPL.
- Ask an Area Agency on Aging about home modification or caregiver-related safety help if an older adult lives in the home.
- Ask disability resource centers about ramps, grab bars, bathroom safety, or Medicaid waiver-related home modifications if a disabled person lives in the home.
- Ask USDA Rural Development about Section 504 if the home is in an eligible rural area.
- Ask legal aid if ownership, heirs’ property, contractor fraud, foreclosure, code enforcement, or benefits denial is blocking repair help.
FAQ
Is FPL the same in every state?
No. The 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia use one table. Alaska and Hawaii have higher separate tables. The federal poverty guidelines are not defined the same way for Puerto Rico and other outlying jurisdictions, so program-specific rules matter there.
Does 200% FPL mean I automatically qualify for weatherization?
No. It may mean you pass the income screen under DOE guidelines, but the local provider still has to follow program rules, waitlists, audits, landlord permission for rentals, health and safety limits, and funding availability.
Does LIHEAP always use 150% FPL?
No. Federal LIHEAP rules involve both 150% FPL and 60% of state median income, plus a lower floor of 110% FPL. States, tribes, and territories set their own approved limits within federal rules, and some use categorical eligibility.
Why did one agency say I qualify and another say I do not?
They may use different income tests. One may use FPL, another may use HUD AMI, and another may use county very-low-income limits. They may also count household size or income periods differently.
Should I apply if I am a little over the table?
Call first. You may be over for one program but under another. You may also have changed income, categorical eligibility, medical hardship, disability-related routes, utility hardship options, or a program using AMI instead of FPL.
About This Guide
This HomeRepairGrants.org guide uses official federal, state, local, and high-trust nonprofit/community sources mentioned in the article, including HHS poverty guidelines, LIHEAP resources, Department of Energy weatherization guidance, USDA Rural Development, HUD income resources, 211, CFPB, and FTC consumer guidance.
HomeRepairGrants.org is not a government agency, does not guarantee eligibility, and is not legal, financial, tax, medical, insurance, disability-rights, or government-agency advice. Program rules, funding, income limits, waiting lists, and application steps can change. Always confirm the current rule with the agency that runs the program in your state, tribe, territory, county, city, or utility service area.
Corrections: Email info@homerepairgrants.org with corrections.