In February of each year the Federal Government releases an official income level for poverty called the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and often informally referred to as the "Federal Poverty Level". The benefit levels of many low-income assistance programs are based on these poverty figures.

1999
2000

HHS Poverty Page

Number in Family

Gross Yearly Income

Gross Monthly Income*

Approximate Hourly Income**

1

$8,590

$716

$4.13

2

$11,610

$968

$5.58

3

$14,630

$1,219

$7.03

4

$17,650

$1471

$8.49

5

$20,670

$1,723

$9.94

6

$23,690

$1,974

$11.39

7

$26,710

$2,226

$12.84

8

$29,730

$2,478

$14.29

Over 8 add for each child

+$3,020

+$252

+$1.45

Source: Federal Register Vol. 66, No. 33, February 16, 2001, pp. 10695-10697. Monthly and hourly data calculated by OCPP.
*Rounded to the nearest dollar.
**Assumes a full-time job for a full year (2080 hours)

For additional information, past years, or to view data for Alaska and Hawaii, visit the HHS Poverty Guidelines, Research, and Measurement page.