How Is the Poor in 2014?

The Department of Health and Human Services has released 2014 federal poverty guidelines. Here's a sampling of 2014 federal poverty levels and how they compare to last year: For an individual, FPL is $11,670. That's an increase of $180 from 2013's FPL. For a couple, it's $15,730, up $220 from last year. For a family of four, it's $23,850, up $300 from last year. Federal poverty guidelines are the basis for the Affordable Care Act's health insurance subsidies, as well as factoring into Medicaid eligibility. However, these 2014 levels won't be used to calculate 2014's health insurance subsidies. Health insurance subsidies are calculated using the prior year's federal poverty guidelines, but your current year's income. These newly released guidelines will set the bar for next year's health insurance subsidies and Medicaid eligibility. To find 2014 FPL figures for other family sizes, or the higher FPL figures for the states of Alaska and Hawaii, visit the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.