THE 2004 HHS POVERTY GUIDELINES
One Version of the [U.S.] Federal Poverty Measure
There are two slightly different versions of the federal poverty measure:
- The poverty thresholds, and
- The poverty guidelines.
The poverty guidelines are the other version of the federal poverty measure. They are issued each year in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The guidelines are a simplification of the poverty thresholds for use for administrative purposes - for instance, determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs.
The poverty guidelines are sometimes loosely referred to as the "federal poverty level" (FPL), but that term is ambiguous and should be avoided, especially in situations (e.g., legislative or
administrative) where precision is important.
2004 Poverty Guidelines - For Immigrant Affidavit of Support
The Department of Health and Human Services on February 13, 2004, published its annual update of the Poverty Guidelines, taking into account increases in prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index. These guidelines are used in calculating levels of income and assets that immigrant visa petitioners and joint sponsors must demonstrate in their I-864, Affidavits of Support.
The following are the 2004 Poverty Guidelines for
the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia:
| Size of Family Unit |
Poverty Guidelines |
125 Percent |
| 1 |
$9,310 |
$11,638 |
| 2 |
$12,490 |
$15,613 |
| 3 |
$15,670 |
$19,588 |
| 4 |
$18,850 |
$23,563 |
| 5 |
$22,030 |
$27,538 |
| 6 |
$25,210 |
$31,513 |
| 7 |
$28,390 |
$35,488 |
| 8 |
$31,570 |
$39,463 |
For family units with more than 8 members, add 3,180 for each additional member to meet the poverty guideline; 3,975 to meet 125% of the poverty guideline.
The following are the 2004 Poverty Guidelines for Alaska:
| Size of Family Unit |
100 Percent |
125 Percent |
| 1 |
$11,630 |
$14,538 |
| 2 |
$15,610 |
$19,513 |
| 3 |
$19,590 |
$24,488 |
| 4 |
$23,570 |
$29,463 |
| 5 |
$27,550 |
$34,438 |
| 6 |
$31,530 |
$39,413 |
| 7 |
$35,510 |
$44,388 |
| 8 |
$39,490 |
$49,363 |
Add 3,980 for each additional member to meet the poverty guideline; 4,975 to meet 125% of the poverty guideline.
The following are the 2004 Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii:
| Size of Family Unit |
100 Percent |
125 Percent |
| 1 |
$10,700 |
$13,375 |
| 2 |
$14,360 |
$17,950 |
| 3 |
$18,020 |
$22,525 |
| 4 |
$21,680 |
$27,100 |
| 5 |
$25,340 |
$31,675 |
| 6 |
$29,000 |
$36,250 |
| 7 |
$32,660 |
$40,825 |
| 8 |
$36,320 |
$45,400 |
Add 3,660 for each additional member to meet the poverty guideline; 4,575 to meet 125% of the poverty guideline.
When processing immigrant visa cases requiring an Affidavit of Support (I-864) requirement, under immigration law, the embassy consular section uses figures in the column on the right (125% of poverty guidelines) as the minimum income that a petitioner and/or a joint sponsor must demonstrate, or the column on the left (100%) for an active member of the U.S. Armed Forces sponsoring his or her spouse or children. Consular officers will consider the "totality of circumstances" (including the applicant's age, health, and education). Visa issuance can be denied if the applicant appears likely to become a public charge despite satisfying the poverty guideline requirements above.
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