HHS Releases Notice Concerning 2017 Federal Poverty Guidelines

July 1, 2016—Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published an Information Memorandum with updated federal poverty guidelines (FPG) for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2017. These FFY 2017 numbers are based on the guidelines that the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) of HHS originally issued on January 25, 2016. The FPG is one of the income criteria that LIHEAP grantees can use in determining household eligibility.

LIHEAPs may choose to adopt these poverty guidelines at this time. However, they will be required to adopt them by October 1, 2016, the beginning of FFY 2017, or by the beginning of the grantees' 2017 fiscal year, whichever is later. According to LIHEAP regulations, grantees can establish the maximum household income for LIHEAP eligibility at either 150 percent of these federal poverty guidelines, or at 60 percent of state median income (SMI). The FFY 2017 guidelines are shown in the table below.

In the coming fiscal year, the eligibility for a family of four at 150 percent of FPG increases $75 from that of FFY 2016. In FFY 2016, a family of four at 150 percent of poverty would include households that brought in up to $36,375 in income. In the upcoming fiscal year, a family of four at 150 percent of FPG will include households that earn up to $36,450.

Federal Poverty Guidelines for FFY 2017
For all states (except Alaska and Hawaii) and for the District of Columbia.

Size of family unit 100 Percent of Poverty 110 Percent of Poverty 125 Percent of Poverty 150 Percent of Poverty 175 Percent of Poverty 185 Percent of Poverty 200 Percent of Poverty
1 $11,880 $13,068 $14,850 $17,820 $20,790 $21,978 $23,760
2 $16,020 $17,622 $20,025 $24,030 $28,035 $29,637 $32,040
3 $20,160 $22,176 $25,200 $30,240 $35,280 $37,297 $40,320
4 $24,300 $26,730 $30,375 $36,450 $42,525 $44,955 $48,600
5 $28,440 $31,284 $35,550 $42,660 $49,770 $52,614 $56,880
6 $32,580 $35,838 $40,725 $48,870 $57,015 $60,273 $65,160
7 $36,730 $40,403 $45,913 $55,095 $64,278 $67,951 $73,460
8 $40,890 $44,979 $51,113 $61,335 $71,558 $75,647 $81,780

Alaska Federal Poverty Guidelines for FFY 2017

Hawaii Federal Poverty Guidelines for FFY 2017

Puerto Rico Federal Poverty Guidelines for FFY 2017

Sources: HHS, LIHEAP Clearinghouse