We often hear references to the federal poverty level when discussing government welfare programs.  I always get confused when I hear it in the form of a percentage since I don’t know what the poverty level is in terms of salary.  The simple answer is…it depends.

The poverty level for one person is $11,670 per year.  It changes and increases depending on the number of people in the household.  For each additional person you add roughly $4,060 to the annual amount, depending on which percentage of the poverty level you are discussing.  The higher the percentage, the more you add.

Because it’s so complicated and depends on the percentage and the number of people in the household, the federal government publishes a table of Federal Poverty Guidelines.  Below is the chart for 2014.

Household Size 100% 133% 150% 200% 250% 300% 400%
1 $11,670 $15,521 $17,505 $23,340 $29,175 $35,010 $46,680
2 15,730 20,921 23,595 31,460 39,325 47,190 62,920
3 19,790 26,321 29,685 39,580 49,475 59,370 79,160
4 23,850 31,721 35,775 47,700 59,625 71,550 95,400
5 27,910 37,120 41,865 55,820 69,775 83,730 111,640
6 31,970 42,520 47,955 63,940 79,925 95,910 127,880
7 36,030 47,920 54,045 72,060 90,075 108,090 144,120
8 40,090 53,320 60,135 80,180 100,225 120,270 160,360