Notes

1. FPL: Federal poverty guideline issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2. SMI: State median income as calculated by LIHEAP (year refers to the fiscal year to which LIHEAP applies the data); median income is the income level at which half of the population's income is higher and half is lower.

Definitions

Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

The Income Converter uses the federal poverty guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The guidelines vary by family size and are based on prices in effect the previous year. For example, the 2000 poverty guidelines are based on prices in calendar year 1999. The poverty guidelines are the same across the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia, but higher guidelines apply in Alaska and Hawaii.

The federal poverty guidelines are used for administrative purposes, such as determining financial eligibility for benefit programs. For statistical purposes, another version of the federal poverty measure is used: the federal poverty thresholds, issued by the U.S. Census Bureau. The poverty thresholds are the basis for the demographic analysis available on this web site. Both the guidelines and the thresholds are commonly referred to as the federal poverty level (FPL).

State Median Income (SMI)

The Income Converter uses the state median income figures for a family of four issued by the U.S. Census Bureau. Median income for other family sizes is calculated according to the method used by the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The year associated with median income reflects the fiscal year to which LIHEAP applies the data; these data are based on income received by families in the calendar year three years prior. For example, the fiscal year 2000 state median income figures are based on income received in calendar year 1997.