New federal poverty level (FPL) guidelines published January 23, 2008 will affect eligibility levels for many public benefits, including health benefits for older people and people with disabilities. 73 Fed. Reg. 3971, (January 23, 2008). The new numbers are effective when published, but each program that relies on them may use a different effective date.

The published poverty levels merely state a dollar figure for different sized family units. They do not address issues of what income is included, what deductions from income are allowed, who is included in a family unit or other use issues. These questions are addressed by the individual programs relying on the poverty guidelines. The amounts given below apply to the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC. Rates for Alaska and Hawaii are slightly higher. A complete list of FPLs is available at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/08poverty.shtml

Federal health programs affecting older people and people with disabilities that rely on federal poverty guidelines:

Full Medicaid:

Poverty Level Aged and Disabled (PLAD): States can choose to provide full Medicaid benefits to aged and disabled individuals with incomes up to 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL). For states choosing 100% FPL as their ceiling, eligibility levels for 2008 will be $866.67/month ($10,400/year) for an individual; to $1166.67/month ($14,000/year) for a couple.