The poverty level for one person in 2024 is set at $15,060 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This figure serves as the baseline for determining financial eligibility for federal programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and subsidized housing.
This amount reflects the minimum income needed to cover basic needs-food, housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare-for a single individual living in the contiguous United States. The calculation uses the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) methodology, which adjusts annually based on inflation and cost-of-living changes.
For context, the FPL is updated each year using the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2023, the threshold was $15,060; in 2024, it rose slightly to $15,060. This increase accounts for rising prices in essential goods and services.
The federal government uses the FPL to define economic hardship. The original formula was developed in the 1960s by Mollie Orshansky, who estimated that low-income families spent roughly one-third of their income on food. She then multiplied that food budget by three to estimate total basic needs.
Today's FPL is derived from the 2023 CPI-U data and adjusted for household size. For a single adult, the 2024 FPL is $15,060. For a household of four, it rises to $36,900. These figures are standardized across the 48 contiguous states.
Alaska and Hawaii receive higher thresholds due to elevated living costs. In 2024, the FPL for one person in Alaska is $18,825, and in Hawaii, it is $18,075. These adjustments reflect local wage levels and housing expenses.
There are two primary versions of the poverty level used in policy and program administration:
| Guideline Type | Use Case | 2024 FPL for 1 Person |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Poverty Level (FPL) | Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, ACA subsidies | $15,060 |
| Low-Income Threshold (LIT) | Section 8 housing vouchers, school meal programs | $22,590 |
The FPL is the most widely referenced benchmark. It sets the upper limit for eligibility in nearly all federally funded safety net programs. For example, individuals earning at or below 138% of the FPL qualify for expanded Medicaid coverage in most states.
The LIT, used by HUD and USDA, extends benefits to those slightly above the FPL. A person earning $22,590-about 150% of the FPL-is eligible for reduced-cost housing or free school meals.
Programs often use percentages of the FPL. For instance, a household earning 200% of the FPL ($30,120) may qualify for partial subsidies on health insurance premiums through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
Many assume the poverty level reflects a "living wage." It does not. The FPL is a statistical tool, not a measure of dignity or comfort. It identifies individuals who lack sufficient resources to meet basic survival needs.
A common error is equating the FPL with the poverty line used in academic research. The U.S. Census Bureau uses a different calculation called the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), which includes taxes, transfers, and local cost-of-living differences. In 2023, the SPM for a single person was $19,040-nearly $4,000 higher than the FPL.
Another misconception is that the FPL applies uniformly across all regions. It does not. While the base FPL is national, states can apply state-specific adjustments for certain programs. California, for example, uses a modified version of the FPL for CalFresh, adjusting for high housing costs in urban areas.
Consider Maria, a single mother working part-time at a grocery store in Texas. Her annual income is $14,800. She earns below the 2024 FPL for one person ($15,060), making her eligible for several benefits:
If Maria earned $15,500-just $440 above the FPL-she would lose access to Medicaid and SNAP, despite facing similar financial strain. This illustrates how small income increases can trigger benefit cutoffs, creating a "benefits cliff."
I've seen this changing firsthand while volunteering at a community health clinic in Detroit. A client earning $15,100 lost her Medicaid coverage after a pay raise, forcing her to choose between prescriptions and rent. That gap highlights the limitations of a rigid income threshold.
The official FPL tables are published annually by HHS. They are available in both PDF and interactive formats on the HHS website. The data includes thresholds for all household sizes and special categories such as elderly individuals and people with disabilities.
Understanding the poverty level for one person is essential for going through public assistance. It defines who qualifies for aid, how much they receive, and where gaps in support exist. The 2024 FPL of $15,060 remains the standard reference point for federal and state-level decisions.