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If you are considering buying an Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plan, also known as Obamacare, there’s a good chance you’ll be among the nearly 90% of members who get premium tax credits and perhaps cost-sharing subsidies, too. To see what you might receive you need to focus on this year’s Federal Poverty Levels. These 2020 FPLs set the standards for 2021 benefits. So if your family’s annual income is between 100% and 400% of the FPL (as shown below), all you need to do is calculate your subsidy.
2020 Federal Poverty Levels for 2021 Health Insurance (48 states + DC)
Although the cost of living varies across the continental U.S., for instance, it’s higher in Chicago than in Nebraska, the FLP is the same nationwide.
|
Household Size |
100% FPL |
138% |
250% |
400% |
|
1 |
$12,760 |
$17,609 |
$31,900 |
$51,040 |
|
2 |
$17,240 |
$23,792 |
$43,100 |
$68,960 |
|
3 |
$21,720 |
$29,974 |
$54,300 |
$86,880 |
|
4 |
$26,200 |
$36,156 |
$65,500 |
$104,800 |
|
5 |
$30,680 |
$42,339 |
$76,700 |
$122,720 |
|
6 |
$35,160 |
$48,521 |
$89,900 |
$140,640 |
|
7 |
$39,640 |
$54,704 |
$99,100 |
$158,560 |
|
8 |
$44,120 |
$60,886 |
$110,300 |
$176,480 |
|
9 |
$48,600 |
$67,068 |
$121,500 |
$194,400 |
Hawaii 2020 Federal Poverty Levels for 2021 ACA Health Insurance
Due to its delicious poke (not really) and high cost of living (for sure), Hawaii has higher FPL limits than the mainland.
|
Household Size |
100% FPL |
138% |
250% |
400% |
|
1 |
$14,680 |
$20,258 |
$36,700 |
$58,720 |
|
2 |
$19,830 |
$27,365 |
$49,575 |
$79,320 |
|
3 |
$24,980 |
$34,472 |
$62,450 |
$99,920 |
|
4 |
$30,130 |
$41,579 |
$75,325 |
$120,520 |
|
5 |
$35,280 |
$48,686 |
$88,200 |
$141,120 |
|
6 |
$40,430 |
$55,793 |
$101,075 |
$161,720 |
|
7 |
$45,580 |
$62,900 |
$113,950 |
$182,320 |
|
8 |
$50,730 |
$70,007 |
$126,825 |
$202,920 |
|
9 |
$55,880 |
$77,114 |
$139,700 |
$223,520 |
Alaska 2020 Federal Poverty Levels for 2021 ACA Health Insurance
Like Hawaii, due to its high cost of living, Alaska has higher FPL limits than the mainland. Alaska Natives also qualify for extra health insurance benefits.
|
Household Size |
100% FPL |
138% |
250% |
400% |
|
1 |
$15,950 |
$22,011 |
$39,875 |
$63,800 |
|
2 |
$21,550 |
$29,739 |
$53,875 |
$86,200 |
|
3 |
$32,750 |
$37,467 |
$67,875 |
$108,600 |
|
4 |
$38,350 |
$45,195 |
$81,875 |
$131,000 |
|
5 |
$43,950 |
$52,923 |
$95,875 |
$153,400 |
|
6 |
$49,550 |
$60,651 |
$108,875 |
$153,400 |
|
7 |
$55,150 |
$68,379 |
$123,875 |
$175,800 |
|
8 |
$60,750 |
$76,107 |
$137,875 |
$198,200 |
|
9 |
$66,350 |
$83,835 |
$151,875 |
$220,600 |
What Do The FPL Levels Mean?
100%: If your total income is below 100 percent of the FPL, you should apply for Medicaid in your state. If your income and assets are very low, you may qualify for Medicaid health coverage immediately.
138%: All but 16 states have chosen to allow people making up to 138% of the FPL to qualify for Medicaid. You may see documents quoting 133% instead. Don’t let that confuse you. That’s a technicality; people are given a 5% leeway, raising the qualifying limit to 138%.
250%: You may receive an enhanced premium tax credit if you join an ACA silver plan while making less than 250 percent of the FPL.
400%: If you earn above the FPL limit, you do not qualify for any ACA subsidies, and you need to shop more widely, including considering narrower off-Marketplace or short-term health insurance.
What Else Are FPLs Used For?
Apart from ACA health insurance, FPLs may be used to determine if you qualify for Head Start, SNAP, CHIP, and other local or federal education, food or health insurance benefits for families with children under 19.
When Are FPLs Updated?
FPLs change each year based on the government’s consumer price index, which tracks the nation’s cost of living. The FPL amounts are typically released in early January.
