Poverty level income is considered to be a certain amount of income earned each year that is far below the standard of living. It would be impossible, in fact, for anyone to survive on such a low income as this. The government has a set of guidelines that will determine if you are at poverty level income or not. Just because you make more money on your paycheck than the poverty level income doesn’t mean that you don’t qualify for the determination to be a low income person. For instance, when you work on your income tax returns, there will be deductions and exemptions that you will be allowed to take. Depending on the number of deductions and exemptions you have to take, you could end up being considered poverty level income.
There are different guidelines to determine if someone is at poverty level income or not. There are three different sets of numbers that determine it. The first set of number is for those living in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. The other two sets of numbers are for Hawaii and Alaska. It depends on what state you live in as to which set of numbers will be used to determine you eligibilities for programs and even for special tax breaks on your income tax.
The difference between the three sets of numbers can be huge. For instance, for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, the most income you can bring into your household is $10,830 in a one person home. For Alaska that number rises to $13,530 and Hawaii it is $12,460. As you can see, the numbers very greatly. That is for a single person home as well. For each person in your family, the maximum amount of money that you make goes up to determine if you are poverty level income or not.
Poverty level income means, by most standards that you don’t have enough money to survive off of. Most people on poverty level income can’t survive or thrive. That is the contention of the government and the people who are trying to survive on that income. If you are working more than two jobs, you have combine both incomes when you are trying to figure out if you are at poverty level income. If you are still at poverty level income, consider seeking assistance. You will receive help in getting food, taking care of rent and even with your heating bill. You will also be given assistance in finding a better paying job and with your education to aid you in finding a career.
The level of income you make can make all the difference in whether you are able to receive assistance or not. Sometimes, it just takes a hand up in order to get ahead. If you qualify for programs, fulfill all the requirements of the program to get the best benefit from the. Don’t just take what you can and run. Use the opportunity to better yourself.
