State Median Income Estimates for FY 2009
[Notices]
[Page 11924-11926]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05mr08-79]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
State Median Income Estimate for a Four-Person Family: Notice of
the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2009 State Median Income Estimates for
Use Under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (CFDA
Number 93.568) Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families, Office of
Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance
AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community
Services, Division of Energy Assistance, HHS.
ACTION: Notice of State median income estimates for FFY 2009.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the estimated median income for four-
person families in each State and the District of Columbia for FFY 2009
(October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009). LIHEAP grantees may adopt the
State median income estimates beginning with the date of publication in
the Federal Register or at a later date as discussed below. This
enables LIHEAP grantees to choose to implement this notice during the
period between the heating and cooling seasons. However, by October 1,
2008, or the beginning of a grantee's fiscal year, whichever is later,
LIHEAP grantees using State median income estimates must adjust their
income eligibility criteria to be in accord with the FFY 2009 State
median income estimates.
This listing of estimated State median incomes provides one of the
maximum income criteria that LIHEAP grantees may use in determining a
household's income eligibility for LIHEAP.
DATES: Effective Date: The estimates become effective at any time
between the date of this publication and October 1, 2008, or the
beginning of a LIHEAP grantee's fiscal year, whichever is later.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Edelman, Office of Community
Services, Division of Energy Assistance, 5th Floor West, 370 L'Enfant
Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: (202) 401-5292, E-
Mail: peter.edelman@acf.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the provisions of section 2603(11) of
Title XXVI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Public Law
(Pub. L.) 97-35, as amended, HHS announces the estimated median income
of a four-person family for each State, the District of Columbia, and
the United States for FFY 2009 (October 1, 2008, through September 30,
2009).
Section 2605(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the LIHEAP statute provides that 60
percent of the median income for each State, as annually established by
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, is one of the income
criteria that LIHEAP grantees may use in determining a household's
eligibility for LIHEAP.
LIHEAP was last authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, PL
109-58, enacted on August 8, 2005. This authorization expired on
September 30, 2007. Reauthorization of LIHEAP is pending.
Estimates of the median income for a four-person family for each
State and the District of Columbia for FFY 2009 have been produced by
the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce. In developing
these estimates, the U.S. Census Bureau used the most recently
available income data, which was data from the 2006 American Community
Survey (ACS). For additional information about the ACS State median
income estimates, see http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/medincsizeandstate.html
or contact the U.S. Census Bureau's Housing and Household Economic Statistics
Division at (301) 763-3243. For additional information about the ACS in general,
see http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/
leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.census.gov/acs/www/.
The State median income estimates, like those that derive from any
survey, are subject to two types of errors: (1) Nonsampling Error,
which consists of random errors that increase the variability of the
data and non-random errors that consistently direct the data into a
specific direction; and (2) Sampling Error, which consists of the error
that arises from the use of probability sampling to create the sample.
For additional information about the accuracy of the ACS State median
income estimates, see http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/
leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.census.gov/acs/www/
Downloads/ACS/accuracy2006.pdf.
A State-by-State listing of median income and 60 percent of median
income for a four-person family for FFY 2009 follows. The listing
describes the method for adjusting median income for families of
different sizes as specified in regulations applicable to LIHEAP, at 45
[[Page 11925]]
CFR 96.85(b), published in the Federal Register on March 3, 1988 at 53
FR 6824.
Dated: February 11, 2008.
Josephine B. Robinson,
Director, Office of Community Services.
Estimated State Median Income for a Four-Person Family, by State,
Federal Fiscal Year
[(FFY) 2009 \1\]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
60 percent
Estimated of
state estimated
median State
States income for median
a four- income for
person a four-
family\2\ person
family \3\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama....................................... $60,298 $36,179
Alaska........................................ 71,781 43,069
Arizona....................................... 65,050 39,030
Arkansas...................................... 52,185 31,311
California.................................... 74,801 44,881
Colorado...................................... 75,775 45,465
Connecticut................................... 93,821 56,293
Delaware...................................... 78,321 46,993
District of Columbia.......................... 71,571 42,943
Florida....................................... 65,024 39,014
Georgia....................................... 66,711 40,027
Hawaii........................................ 84,472 50,683
Idaho......................................... 58,066 34,840
Illinois...................................... 75,484 45,290
Indiana....................................... 67,787 40,672
Iowa.......................................... 67,792 40,675
Kansas........................................ 67,897 40,738
Kentucky...................................... 60,202 36,121
Louisiana..................................... 60,161 36,097
Maine......................................... 63,501 38,101
Maryland...................................... 94,017 56,410
Massachusetts................................. 89,347 53,608
Michigan...................................... 72,591 43,555
Minnesota..................................... 81,477 48,886
Mississippi................................... 52,992 31,795
Missouri...................................... 63,274 37,964
Montana....................................... 60,576 36,346
Nebraska...................................... 68,917 41,350
Nevada........................................ 66,095 39,657
New Hampshire................................. 87,396 52,438
New Jersey.................................... 94,441 56,665
New Mexico.................................... 52,034 31,220
New York...................................... 75,513 45,308
North Carolina................................ 61,420 36,852
North Dakota.................................. 67,560 40,536
Ohio.......................................... 68,579 41,147
Oklahoma...................................... 55,031 33,019
Oregon........................................ 64,832 38,899
Pennsylvania.................................. 74,072 44,443
Rhode Island.................................. 78,189 46,913
South Carolina................................ 59,663 35,798
South Dakota.................................. 63,508 38,105
Tennessee..................................... 60,143 36,086
Texas......................................... 59,808 35,885
Utah.......................................... 63,586 38,152
Vermont....................................... 67,884 40,730
Virginia...................................... 78,413 47,048
Washington.................................... 75,140 45,084
West Virginia................................. 55,920 33,552
Wisconsin..................................... 72,495 43,497
Wyoming....................................... 71,559 42,935
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: FFY 2009 covers the period of October 1, 2008 through September
30, 2009. The estimated median income for a four-person family living
in the United States is $70,354 for FFY 2009. The estimates become
effective for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
at any time between the date of this publication and October 1, 2008,
or the beginning of a LIHEAP grantee's fiscal year, whichever is
later.
\1\ Prepared by the U.S. Census Bureau from the 2006 American Community
Survey (ACS). The State median income estimates, like those that
derive from any survey, are subject to two types of errors: (1)
Nonsampling Error, which consists of random errors that increase the
variability of the data and non-random errors that consistently direct
the data into a specific direction; and (2) Sampling Error, which
consists of the error that arises from the use of probability sampling
to create the sample.
[[Page 11926]]
\2\ In accordance with 45 CFR 96.85, each State's estimated median
income for a four-person family is multiplied by the following
percentages to adjust for family size for LIHEAP: 52 percent for one
person, 68 percent for two persons, 84 percent for three persons, 100
percent for four persons, 116 percent for five persons, and 132
percent for six persons. For each additional family member above six
persons, add 3 percentage points to the percentage for a six-person
family (132 percent), and multiply the new percentage by the State's
estimated median income for a four-person family.
\3\ These figures were calculated by the Division of Energy Assistance
(DEA). DEA calculated these figures by multiplying the estimated State
median income for a four-person family for each State by 60 percent.
[FR Doc. E8-4190 Filed 3-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P
2008 HHS Poverty Guidelines
[Federal Register: January 23, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 15)]
[Notices]
[Page 3971-3972]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ja08-48]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice provides an update of the HHS poverty guidelines
to account for last calendar year's increase in prices as measured by
the Consumer Price Index.
DATES: Effective Date: Date of publication, unless an office
administering a program using the guidelines specifies a different
effective date for that particular program.
ADDRESSES: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and
Evaluation, Room 404E, Humphrey Building, Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), Washington, DC 20201.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about how the
guidelines are used or how income is defined in a particular program,
contact the Federal, State, or local office that is responsible for
that program. Contact information for two frequently requested programs
is given below:
For information about the Hill-Burton Uncompensated Services
Program (free or reduced-fee health care services at certain hospitals
and other facilities for persons meeting eligibility criteria involving
the poverty guidelines), contact the Office of the Director, Division
of Facilities Compliance and Recovery, Health Resources and Services
Administration, HHS, Room 10-105, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane,
Rockville, Maryland 20857. To speak to a person, call (301) 443-5656.
To receive a Hill-Burton information package, call 1-800-638-0742 (for
callers outside Maryland) or 1-800-492-0359 (for callers in Maryland).
You also may visit http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/default.htm. The
Division of Facilities Compliance and Recovery notes that as set by 42
CFR 124.505(b), the effective date of this update of the poverty
guidelines for facilities obligated under the Hill-Burton Uncompensated
Services Program is sixty days from the date of this publication.
For information about the percentage multiple of the poverty
guidelines to be used on immigration forms such as USCIS Form I-864,
Affidavit of Support, contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
at 1-800-375-5283 or visit http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-864p.pdf.
For information about the number of people in poverty or about the
Census Bureau poverty thresholds, visit the Poverty section of the
Census Bureau's Web site at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty.html
or contact the Census Bureau's Demographic Call Center Staff at (301)
763-2422 or 1-866-758-1060 (toll-free).
For general questions about the poverty guidelines themselves,
contact Gordon Fisher, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning
and Evaluation, Room 404E, Humphrey Building, Department of Health and
Human Services, Washington, DC 20201--telephone: (202) 690-7507--or
visit http://www.aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of
1981 (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)) requires the Secretary of the Department of
Health and Human Services to update, at least annually, the poverty
guidelines, which shall be used as an eligibility criterion for the
Community Services Block Grant program. The poverty guidelines also are
used as an eligibility criterion by a number of other Federal programs.
The poverty guidelines issued here are a simplified version of the
poverty thresholds that the Census Bureau uses to prepare its estimates
of the number of individuals and families in poverty.
As required by law, this update is accomplished by increasing the
latest published Census Bureau poverty thresholds by the relevant
percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers
(CPI-U). The guidelines in this 2008 notice reflect the 2.8 percent
price increase between calendar years 2006 and 2007. After this
inflation adjustment, the guidelines are rounded and adjusted to
standardize the differences between family sizes. The same calculation
procedure was used this year as in previous years. (Note that these
2008 guidelines are roughly equal to the poverty thresholds for
calendar year 2007 which the Census Bureau expects to publish in final
form in August 2008.) The guideline figures shown represent annual
income.
2008 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of
Columbia
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Poverty
Persons in family guideline
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1............................................................ $10,400
2............................................................ 14,000
3............................................................ 17,600
4............................................................ 21,200
5............................................................ 24,800
6............................................................ 28,400
7............................................................ 32,000
8............................................................ 35,600
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For families with more than 8 persons, add $3,600 for each
additional person.
2008 Poverty Guidelines for Alaska
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Poverty
Persons in family guideline
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1............................................................ $13,000
2............................................................ 17,500
3............................................................ 22,000
4............................................................ 26,500
5............................................................ 31,000
6............................................................ 35,500
7............................................................ 40,000
8............................................................ 44,500
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For families with more than 8 persons, add $4,500 for each
additional person.
[[Page 3972]]
2008 Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii
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Poverty
Persons in family guideline
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1............................................................ $11,960
2............................................................ 16,100
3............................................................ 20,240
4............................................................ 24,380
5............................................................ 28,520
6............................................................ 32,660
7............................................................ 36,800
8............................................................ 40,940
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For families with more than 8 persons, add $4,140 for each
additional person.
Separate poverty guideline figures for Alaska and Hawaii reflect
Office of Economic Opportunity administrative practice beginning in the
1966-1970 period. (Note that the Census Bureau poverty thresholds--the
version of the poverty measure used for statistical purposes--have
never had separate figures for Alaska and Hawaii.) The poverty
guidelines are not defined for Puerto Rico or other outlying
jurisdictions. In cases in which a Federal program using the poverty
guidelines serves any of those jurisdictions, the Federal office that
administers the program is generally responsible for deciding whether
to use the contiguous-states-and-DC guidelines for those jurisdictions
or to follow some other procedure.
Due to confusing legislative language dating back to 1972, the
poverty guidelines have sometimes been mistakenly referred to as the
``OMB'' (Office of Management and Budget) poverty guidelines or poverty
line. In fact, OMB has never issued the guidelines; the guidelines are
issued each year by the Department of Health and Human Services. The
poverty guidelines may be formally referenced as ``the poverty
guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42
U.S.C. 9902(2).''
Some programs use a percentage multiple of the guidelines (for
example, 125 percent or 185 percent of the guidelines), as noted in
relevant authorizing legislation or program regulations. Non-Federal
organizations that use the poverty guidelines under their own authority
in non-federally-funded activities can choose to use a percentage
multiple of the guidelines such as 125 percent or 185 percent.
The poverty guidelines do not make a distinction between farm and
non-farm families, or between aged and non-aged units. (Only the Census
Bureau poverty thresholds have separate figures for aged and non-aged
one-person and two-person units.)
Note that this notice does not provide definitions of such terms as
``income'' or ``family.'' This is because there is considerable
variation in how different programs that use the guidelines define
these terms, traceable to the different laws and regulations that
govern the various programs.
Therefore, questions about how a particular program applies the
poverty guidelines (for example, Is income before or after taxes?
Should a particular type of income be counted? Should a particular
person be counted in the family or household unit?) should be directed
to the organization that administers the program.
Dated: January 17, 2008.
Michael O. Leavitt,
Secretary of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 08-256 Filed 1-18-08; 9:13 am]
BILLING CODE 4151-05-M
