Last updated: April 14, 2026
If you searched for the Michigan DHS income eligibility chart, you probably want a fast answer to one of these questions: what income limit applies to my household, which MDHHS program chart should I use, and where can I verify the number before I apply.
The most important thing to know is that Michigan does not use one single income chart for every MDHHS benefit. Food help, child care help, emergency relief, Medicaid, and transportation-related assistance can all use different rules. This page gives you the 2026 federal poverty guideline base, a simple monthly view, the official State Emergency Relief limits, and the easiest next steps to verify the right program.
Quick answer
Michigan uses the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC as the starting point for many programs. For 2026, the base annual guideline is $15,960 for 1 person, $21,640 for 2, $27,320 for 3, and $33,000 for 4. Some programs use 100% of that base, while others use 125%, 150%, 200%, or a different rule.
2026 Michigan DHS income eligibility chart: annual FPL table
| Household size | 100% of FPL (Annual) | 125% of FPL | 150% of FPL | 200% of FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $19,950 | $23,940 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $27,050 | $32,460 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $34,150 | $40,980 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $41,250 | $49,500 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $48,350 | $58,020 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $55,450 | $66,540 | $88,720 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $62,550 | $75,060 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $69,650 | $83,580 | $111,440 |
For each additional person above 8, add $5,680 to the 100% annual guideline, then calculate the percentage your program uses.
Source: 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC. Percentage columns above are calculated from the official base amounts.
Monthly income chart people usually need
Many readers want a monthly figure because that is how they get paid or how a caseworker discusses eligibility. The table below converts the annual 2026 base chart into monthly estimates by dividing by 12 and rounding to the nearest dollar.
| Household size | 100% (Monthly) | 125% (Monthly) | 150% (Monthly) | 200% (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330 | $1,663 | $1,995 | $2,660 |
| 2 | $1,803 | $2,254 | $2,705 | $3,607 |
| 3 | $2,277 | $2,846 | $3,415 | $4,553 |
| 4 | $2,750 | $3,438 | $4,125 | $5,500 |
| 5 | $3,223 | $4,029 | $4,835 | $6,447 |
| 6 | $3,697 | $4,621 | $5,545 | $7,393 |
| 7 | $4,170 | $5,213 | $6,255 | $8,340 |
| 8 | $4,643 | $5,804 | $6,965 | $9,287 |
Use this monthly view only as a quick reference. Some programs use gross income, some use net income, and some apply special deductions or household rules.
Which Michigan chart should you use?
| If you need help with | Start with this chart or rule | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Food help | MDHHS Food Assistance eligibility rules | Food help can use household and deduction rules, not just one simple FPL line. |
| Child care help | CDC entry and exit income scale | Child care assistance may use separate entry and exit thresholds. |
| Emergency utility or crisis help | MDHHS State Emergency Relief limits | SER uses its own published limits and program rules. |
| Medical coverage | Medicaid category-specific rules | Medicaid often depends on age, family type, pregnancy, or disability category. |
| Transportation-related help | Income chart plus program-specific screening | Car or repair help may depend on hardship, work need, county support, or nonprofit rules. |
Official MDHHS State Emergency Relief monthly limits
Michigan also publishes a separate monthly income chart for State Emergency Relief (SER). If you are looking for crisis help with utilities, housing-related emergencies, or other short-term emergency support, this is one of the most useful official charts to check.
| Household size | Monthly income limit for energy-related relief |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,956 |
| 2 | $2,644 |
| 3 | $3,331 |
| 4 | $4,019 |
| 5 | $4,706 |
| 6 | $5,394 |
| 7 | $6,081 |
| 8 | $6,769 |
For each additional person above 8, add $688 per month.
If your situation is urgent, check the official SER page before relying on any secondary website summary.
Simple way to calculate your likely income threshold
- Find your household size in the annual FPL table.
- Ask which percentage your program uses: 100%, 125%, 150%, 200%, or another level.
- Multiply the 100% amount by that percentage.
- If you need a monthly estimate, divide by 12.
- Verify the final number on the official Michigan page or in MI Bridges before you apply.
Example
If your household size is 3 and a program uses 150% of FPL, the annual limit is $40,980. The monthly estimate is about $3,415.
How to verify the right chart before you apply
- Start with MI Bridges: If you are applying for MDHHS benefits, use the official Michigan portal first.
- Match the chart to the exact program: Do not assume a child care number, food help number, or emergency relief number applies to every benefit.
- Check whether the program uses gross or net income: This can change whether you qualify.
- Keep your documents ready: Pay stubs, benefit letters, address proof, and household details make verification easier.
- Use 211 if you need local direction: Michigan 211 can help you find the right office, nonprofit, or county resource.
What documents you may need
| Document | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Confirms who is applying |
| Proof of Michigan address | Shows local eligibility |
| Pay stubs or benefits letters | Helps verify income |
| Household details | Needed to count household size correctly |
| Work, medical, or child care documents | Useful if you are also asking for transportation-related help |
Common mistakes that cause confusion
- Using Alaska or Hawaii poverty guidelines instead of the 48-state chart Michigan uses.
- Comparing one MDHHS program to another as if they use the same limit.
- Mixing monthly figures and annual figures.
- Counting household members incorrectly.
- Assuming being slightly above one limit means you do not qualify for any help at all.
If you are checking car or transportation help in Michigan
Many people land on this page because income is only one part of a larger transportation problem. If you also need help with a car, repairs, or work-related transportation, open these next guides:
- Michigan DHS Car Voucher Program
- DHS Car Voucher Guide
- Government Car Voucher Programs
- Auto Repair Grants and Assistance
Official sources to verify Michigan eligibility
- Federal Register: 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines
- HHS ASPE poverty guidelines page
- MI Bridges
- MDHHS Food Assistance eligibility
- MDHHS State Emergency Relief eligibility
- Michigan 211
Frequently asked questions
Is there one Michigan DHS income eligibility chart for every program?
No. Different Michigan programs use different income rules, chart types, and sometimes different ways of counting household income.
What is the 2026 Michigan poverty guideline for 4 people?
For the 48 contiguous states and DC, which includes Michigan, the 2026 100% annual guideline for a household of 4 is $33,000. Many programs use a percentage of that amount instead of the base number itself.
What if my income is slightly above the limit?
You may still want to verify the exact program rules. Some programs use deductions, category-specific rules, or related emergency resources that can change the outcome.
Can I use this page for MDHHS car voucher help?
Use this page for income context, then open our Michigan DHS car voucher guide for the transportation-specific next steps.
Bottom line
The best way to use a Michigan DHS income eligibility chart is to match the chart to the exact program first. Use the 2026 FPL table on this page as your base reference, then verify the final limit with MI Bridges or the official MDHHS program page before you apply.
