Every year, the federal government updates the numbers that help determine who qualifies for certain benefits and programs. For 2025, the latest poverty guidelines have been released, and they’ll play a big role in deciding who’s eligible for things like food assistance, school meals, and more.
Let’s clear something up first: there are two main measures the government uses when talking about poverty in the U.S.—poverty thresholds and poverty guidelines. They might sound similar, but they serve different purposes.
Poverty thresholds are the original method used to measure poverty and are updated each year by the U.S. Census Bureau. These numbers are mainly used to track and report how many people are living in poverty. Think of them as a statistical tool used to paint a picture of poverty across the country. The new 2025 thresholds have been released and will now serve as the basis for those annual poverty stats.
2025 HHS Poverty Guidelines
Poverty guidelines, on the other hand, are used by federal programs to decide who qualifies for services. These are updated each year by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and are based on the thresholds, but simplified for easier use in program eligibility. Programs like SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), Head Start, and free or reduced-price school lunch programs all use these guidelines to determine who gets help.
US Latest Poverty Guidelines/Thresholds 2025
Here’s what the poverty guideline numbers look like for 2025:
For the 48 states and Washington, D.C.:
- 1 person: $15,650
- 2 people: $21,150
- 3 people: $26,650
- 4 people: $32,150
- 5 people: $37,650
- 6 people: $43,150
- 7 people: $48,650
- 8 people: $54,150
- Add $5,500 for each extra person
For Alaska:
- 1 person: $19,550
- 2 people: $26,430
- 3 people: $33,310
- 4 people: $40,190
- 5 people: $47,070
- 6 people: $53,950
- 7 people: $60,830
- 8 people: $67,710
- Add $6,880 for each additional person
For Hawaii:
- 1 person: $17,990
- 2 people: $24,320
- 3 people: $30,650
- 4 people: $36,980
- 5 people: $43,310
- 6 people: $49,640
- 7 people: $55,970
- 8 people: $62,300
- Add $6,330 for each extra person
These updated figures are now in use and will directly impact who qualifies for various services in 2025. For example, SNAP often uses a percentage of these numbers (like 130% or 185% of the guideline) to determine who can apply.
Not Every Program Uses These Guidelines
It’s also worth pointing out that not all government assistance programs use the poverty guidelines to determine eligibility. Programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rely on different standards. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) also doesn’t use these guidelines. So, depending on the program, the rules can vary quite a bit.
Why This Update Matters
Every time these numbers change, it affects real people—especially those who rely on public support to make ends meet. The 2025 poverty guidelines aren’t just statistics; they help ensure that help is available to those who truly need it, based on current living costs and family needs.
If you or someone you know depends on programs like SNAP or Head Start, it’s a good idea to take a look at the updated income limits. They could make a difference in your eligibility or the amount of support you receive.
