Federal Poverty Level Calculator for Health Insurance Savings

Check your eligibility for lower-cost coverage

Enter your household income to see where it falls on the Federal Poverty Level. This shows whether you qualify for monthly insurance savings or low-cost coverage programs like Medicaid.

Approved HealthCare.gov enrollment partner
90% qualify for savings¹
Save $550/month on average¹

Federal poverty level calculator

Your household income is approximately

of the Federal poverty level

What your estimate actually means

You’ve seen how your income compares to the Federal Poverty Level. Here’s what that number actually means and how it’s used to check your eligibility for lower-cost coverage.

Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

The FPL is a simple income benchmark used to understand what health coverage help may be available to you. It’s based on how big your household is and how much you earn.

Here’s an example: The FPL for a household of two is $21,640. If your household income is $43,000, your income would be about 200% of the FPL.

That percentage is used to determine if you qualify for lower monthly insurance costs or low-cost coverage programs like Medicaid.

FPL and subsidies

Insurance subsidies lower your monthly insurance premiums. How much you save depends on your household income and size. This is measured as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level.

Subsidies are generally available to people who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but still need help to pay for coverage. If your income is between 100-400% of the FPL, you may qualify.

In fact, more than 90%¹ of people are eligible for subsidies. The average subsidy lowers monthly costs by $550/month.¹

FPL and Medicaid

Medicaid is a program that provides low-cost or free insurance to people with lower incomes.

In many states, you qualify for Medicaid if your household income is around 138% of the FPL or less. Because Medicaid is run by the states and federal government, the exact income limits and rules can vary based on where you live.

Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

The FPL is a simple income benchmark used to understand what health coverage help may be available to you. It’s based on how big your household is and how much you earn.

Here’s an example: The FPL for a household of two is $21,640. If your household income is $43,000, your income would be about 200% of the FPL.

That percentage is used to determine if you qualify for lower monthly insurance costs or low-cost coverage programs like Medicaid.

FPL and subsidies

Insurance subsidies lower your monthly insurance premiums. How much you save depends on your household income and size. This is measured as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level.

Subsidies are generally available to people who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but still need help to pay for coverage. If your income is between 100-400% of the FPL, you may qualify.

In fact, more than 90%¹ of people are eligible for subsidies. The average subsidy lowers monthly costs by $550/month.¹

FPL and Medicaid

Medicaid is a program that provides low-cost or free insurance to people with lower incomes.

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Frequently asked questions

Why does the Federal Poverty Level matter?

The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is a simple income benchmark. It’s used to understand what kinds of health coverage help may be available to you. It’s based on how much your household earns and how many people live in your household.

Your income is shown as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level. That percentage helps determine whether you may qualify for lower monthly insurance costs or low-cost coverage programs like Medicaid.

Does being above or below a certain percentage mean I automatically qualify?

Not automatically. Your Federal Poverty Level percentage is an important starting point. But it’s only one factor used to determine eligibility.

Other details also matter. Like your household size, state, and coverage options available to you. That’s why Lucie shows your FPL percentage first. Then it helps you explore what that number may mean for insurance savings or low-cost coverage, rather than giving you a simple yes or no.

What if my income changes during the year?

That’s very common. Many people don’t have the same income every month, especially if you’re self-employed, work hourly, freelance, or have seasonal work.

This calculator uses your current or expected income to give you a helpful estimate. If your income goes up or down later in the year, your eligibility for savings or coverage programs may change, too. Lucie’s tools help you understand how those changes affect your options. That way, you can adjust if needed instead of being caught off guard.

See all FAQs.

Know more now

There’s a lot to take in when it comes to savings and the FPL. Check out these articles to get the clear scoop.

Footnotes

¹ CMS Open Enrollment 2025 report

Check your eligibility for lower-cost coverage