What is the federal poverty level?

The federal poverty level in the United States is dependent on the number of people living in a household. As of 2014, the federal poverty level for a one-person household is $11,670, while the federal poverty level for a two-person household is $15,730.

The poverty guideline is set for households that contain up to eight people, after that an additional $4,060 should be added for each person. The federal poverty line in the United States applies to 48 contiguous states, as well as the District of Columbia. The states of Alaska and Hawaii have their own separate poverty line, and both are slightly higher than the federal poverty line, with Alaska's being slightly higher than Hawaii's.