The Department of Health and Human Services has just published the new Federal Poverty Levels (FPL). As might be expected by the name, the basic 100% poverty level is low and comes in at annual income for a household of one of $14,580. Broken down to a monthly amount that means you’re effectively on the breadline if you take in no more than $1,215 a month.
That all makes rather depressing news to anyone on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as that shows that the government feels that $914 a month (75% of the FPL) is somehow adequate for your needs.
Be that as it may, the new figures, as we highlight each year, are important as they determine the financial eligibility for such benefits as the Medicare Savings Programs (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary, Qualified Individual) as well as the MAGI Medical Assistance program that is run in this state by Maryland Health Connection (www.marylandhealthconnection.gov).
Of course, now that there’s no income limit on our old friend Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) the FPL now only serves to determine the amount of the premium you’ll have to fork out each month.
Here’s a full record of the 2023 Federal Poverty Level, which is nicely broken down into household sizes as well as annual and monthly limits: detailed-guidelines-2023.pdf (hhs.gov)