What is hhs poverty guidelines

The poverty thresholds are the original version of the federal poverty measure. They are updated each year by the Census Bureau. The thresholds are used mainly for statistical purpose — for instance, preparing estimates of the number of Americans in poverty each year. In other words, all official poverty population figures are calculated using the poverty thresholds, not the guidelines. The poverty guidelines are the other version of the federal poverty measure.

The guidelines are a simplification of the poverty thresholds for use for administrative purposes — for instance, determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs. Key differences between poverty thresholds and poverty guidelines are outlined in a table under Frequently Asked Questions FAQs. The separate poverty guidelines for Alaska and Hawaii reflect Office of Economic Opportunity administrative practice beginning in the period. Note that the poverty thresholds — the original version of the poverty measure — have never had separate figures for Alaska and Hawaii.

The poverty guidelines are not defined for Puerto Rico, the U. In cases in which a Federal program using the poverty guidelines serves any of those jurisdictions, the Federal office which administers the program is responsible for deciding whether to use the contiguous-states-and-D. The poverty guidelines apply to both aged and non-aged units.

Note that in general, cash public assistance programs Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Security Income do NOT use the poverty guidelines in determining eligibility. The poverty guidelines unlike the poverty thresholds are designated by the year in which they are issued. For instance, the guidelines issued in January are designated the poverty guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions. Federal Poverty Guidelines. Skip to main content. Learn more ». Date Last Reviewed: February