Income Eligibility Many, but not all, health safety net services require patients to have a household income that is at or below a set percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). How do I know what percentage of the Federal Poverty Level we are? The FPL depends on two things: how many people are in a "household" and how much combined income those household members bring in. Before you can know what percent of the FPL your household is, you first must know the total year's income of all household members combined. With that information in hand, look at the chart at the bottom of this page, find the row that matches the number of people in your household and follow the chart to the right until you find your total household income. Look to the top of that column to find your household's percentage of FPL. As an example, a household with one parent, one grandparent and two children (four household members), with a combined household income of $37,000 would be considered as below 200 percent of the FPL. What is a "household"? A household is a group of people who live together who are officially connected in some way, either by marriage, by a "blood" relationship (such as a child, parent or grandparent, brother or sister, niece or nephew or in-law), or through adoption or fostering. People who live in the same place but are not officially connected in one of the ways listed above are not considered a "household." That means that three friends sharing an apartment, for example, are three separate households. Why does the the percent of FPL matter, in terms of getting health care? Many health safety net providers require patients to have a household income that is at or below a set percent of the FPL. For example, some Virginia free clinics accept patients whose household income is at or less than 200% of the FPL, while others limit income eligibility to 100%, 125% or 150%. Virginia Community Health Centers offer services on a sliding fee scale. And prescription medication assistance may be available to those with up to 300% of the FPL. It is important to check with the safety net provider or service to determine whether a certain percentage of FPL is required for eligibility. Figuring out the percentages Qualifying for a program that limits services to 100% of the FPL or below means that only those whose total household incomes were at or less than the level listed for their household size would be eligible for care. Before tax or after tax? Usually, the household income is determined by gross income (before tax income), although it is important to check with the service or provider.
2009* HHS Poverty Guidelines("Federal Poverty Level") *In effect until at least March 1, 2010 Household Members Household Income (100% of FPL) 125% 150% 200% 250% 300%
For more information on poverty guidelines, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services web page on poverty levels. |
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