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How much does it take to be considered “in poverty”? In 2025, the federal poverty level (FPL) for a family of four is $32,150. That number represents the income needed to cover basics like food, housing, and healthcare. But it’s not one-size-fits-all — the FPL changes based on family size, age, and number of children. In fact, there are 48 different poverty thresholds. In 2024, 35.9 million people lived below the poverty line. The FPL is more than just a number. It’s used to determine eligibility for need-based programs like Medicaid and CHIP. What do you think the federal poverty level should be?