Extension of the 2009 Poverty Guidelines
Until at Least May 31, 2010

Congress has taken action to keep the 2009 poverty guidelines in effect until at least May 31, 2010. This is in response to a decrease in the annual average Consumer Price Index for 2009. This decrease — the first since the poverty guidelines began to be issued in 1965 — would otherwise have required HHS to issue 2010 poverty guidelines that were lower than the 2009 poverty guidelines which would have led to eligibility reductions in means tested programs such as Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps).

In December Congress enacted and the President signed an extension through March 1, 2010. This has subsequently been extended twice (On March 2 to March 31 and on April 15 to May 31).

The 2009 poverty guidelines figures that will remain in effect are given below.

 

The 2009 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia
Persons in family	Poverty guideline
1	$10,830
2	14,570
3	18,310
4	22,050
5	25,790
6	29,530
7	33,270
8	37,010
For families with more than 8 persons, add $3,740 for each additional person.

SOURCE:   Federal Register, Vol. 74, No. 14, January 23, 2009, pp. 4199–4201

- “Extension of the 2009 Poverty Guidelines Until at Least May 31, 2010”, http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/09extension.shtml retrieved 4/23/10.

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