2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines for Form I-864: Income Thresholds Explained

(UNITED STATES) The federal income rules that decide who can financially sponsor a family-based green card applicant changed on March 1, 2026, when the 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines took effect for the Affidavit of Support filed on Form I-864. From that filing date forward, most sponsors must show income of at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their Household size, while a petitioning sponsor on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard who is filing for a spouse or child only needs to meet 100%. That exception does not extend to joint or substitute sponsors. These thresholds apply nationwide, with higher amounts in Alaska and Hawaii due to living costs. The government updates these figures each year to reflect inflation, and officials have announced no delays or special exceptions for 2026.

Why this matters: legal and financial stakes

The Affidavit of Support is a binding contract with the U.S. government. It remains in force until the immigrant either becomes a U.S. citizen or earns 40 qualifying quarters of work (roughly 10 years). During that time, sponsors may be required to repay certain means‑tested public benefits if the immigrant receives them.

Immigration attorneys say common filing setbacks include:

• Using the wrong year’s guideline.
• Miscounting the household size.

Both errors can trigger requests for evidence (RFE) or denials.

The critical rule: sponsors must use the guidelines in effect on the date they submit the package.

If an Affidavit of Support was mailed on February 28, 2026, the 2025 figures apply. If filed on or after March 1, 2026, the 2026 numbers control. VisaVerge.com reports that using the wrong year often causes avoidable delays.

2026 thresholds by household size and region

Exact dollar amounts depend on household size and state. These are the exact figures on the Form I-864P chart in force from March 1, 2026. They are not estimates or ranges:

• 48 contiguous states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, at 125%:
  • Household of two: $27,050
  • Household of three: $34,150
  • Household of four: $41,250
  • Each additional person adds $7,100
• Same states at 100% (qualifying active-duty petitioning sponsors only):
  • Household of two: $21,640
  • Household of three: $27,320
  • Household of four: $33,000
  • Each additional person adds $5,680
• Alaska at 125%:
  • Household of two: $33,813
  • Household of three: $42,688
  • Household of four: $51,563
  • Each additional person adds $8,875
• Hawaii at 125%:
  • Household of two: $31,113
  • Household of three: $39,275
  • Household of four: $47,438
  • Each additional person adds $8,163

Who counts in household size

Household size is broader than people living under one roof. It generally includes:

• The sponsor
• The intending immigrant(s)
• Dependent children
• Anyone the sponsor listed on their most recent federal tax return
• Sometimes other persons the sponsor financially supports

Getting this count wrong can push a sponsor below the threshold even if W‑2 totals look sufficient. Couples who recently married—especially with dependents from prior relationships—often see required income jump once everyone is correctly counted.

How sponsors meet the threshold

Common sources of qualifying support:

• Earned income documented with:
  • Tax returns or transcripts
  • W‑2s or 1099s
  • Recent pay stubs
• Assets to cover shortfalls:
  • Cash, stocks, bonds, property equity
  • Generally must equal five times the income shortfall
  • The multiplier drops to three times only when the sponsor is a U.S. citizen and the intending immigrant is that citizen’s spouse, or a child 18 years of age or older. A citizen sponsoring a parent, a sibling, or a child under 18 still uses five times
  • For an orphan who will be adopted in the United States and will acquire citizenship under INA section 320, assets need only equal the shortfall

Example (household of four in the contiguous states):
– Required (125%) = $41,250
– Sponsor income = $36,000
– Gap = $5,250
– Asset need = $26,250 (5x) or $15,750 (3x, U.S. citizen sponsoring a spouse or a child 18 or older)

Documentation and acceptable valuation methods are required.

Pooling income and household members

Household members living at the same address can contribute income by:

1. Signing Form I-864A (Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member).
2. Agreeing to joint financial responsibility.
3. Meeting relationship and residence rules.

This is common in multigenerational homes. Each contributor must provide tax records and proof of current income.

Joint sponsors

If the primary sponsor still falls short, a joint sponsor can file a separate Form I-864 and must:

• Independently meet the full income requirement for their own household size.
• Take on the same long‑term legal obligations (including potential reimbursement claims for certain public benefits).
• Not necessarily be related to the immigrant.

Joint sponsors cannot rely on the primary sponsor’s earnings.

Policy context and what’s new in 2026

• USCIS applies HHS Poverty Guidelines to family‑based and certain employment‑based sponsorship filings.
• For 2026, numbers rolled out on March 1 with no policy changes to:
  • Who must file an Affidavit of Support
  • Who qualifies for the 100% military exception
  • How assets and joint sponsors are treated
• The legal framework remains focused on preventing reliance on means‑tested benefits and ensuring enforceable support.

Officials have not announced any mid‑year adjustments to the 2026 thresholds.

Practical steps and filing checklist

Prospective sponsors in 2026 should follow this checklist tied to the HHS Poverty Guidelines and USCIS rules:

1. Confirm household size, counting:
   • Yourself, the intending immigrant(s), qualifying dependents
   • Anyone claimed on your most recent tax return
   • Others you support, where applicable
2. Check the 2026 minimums on Form I-864P (Poverty Guidelines): I-864P

3. Verify whether 125% or 100% applies.

4. Gather proof of income:

   • Tax transcripts/returns
   • W‑2s/1099s
   • Recent pay stubs
5. If using assets:
   • Calculate asset shortfall (5x rule, or 3x where a U.S. citizen sponsors a spouse or a child 18 or older)
   • Prepare evidence of ownership and valuation
6. If a household member will contribute, have them complete: I-864A

7. If a joint sponsor is needed:

   • Confirm they meet the threshold independently
   • Ensure they understand long‑term legal obligations
8. Complete and sign the Affidavit of Support: I-864

9. Keep copies of all submissions and be ready to respond to RFEs quickly.

Tips for special situations

• Consulate applicants: The National Visa Center screens financial documents before the visa interview.
• Adjustment of status inside the U.S.: Officers scrutinize current income, especially after job changes or new self‑employment.
• Tax timing: If your most recent return shows lower income than current earnings, be prepared with an employment letter and several months of pay stubs. Some applicants delay filing until a full quarter of higher earnings is documented.
• Small business owners/contractors: Bank statements, 1099s, and year‑to‑date summaries can be crucial when a base salary is not available.

Important warnings and takeaways

The Affidavit of Support is a legally enforceable contract. Sponsors may be required to reimburse certain public benefits, and the obligation can last until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, completes 40 quarters of work, loses LPR status, or the sponsor dies.

• Use the guidelines in effect on your filing date.
• Count household members carefully—errors commonly cause RFEs or denials.
• Consider joint sponsors and documented assets early if you’re close to the threshold.
• Regularly check the HHS tables and USCIS guidance and match them to the filing date.

For official baseline figures, consult the current HHS Poverty Guidelines: https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines

With careful preparation, consistent documentation, and awareness of household‑size rules, sponsors can meet the Affidavit of Support standards and proceed with confidence in 2026.