2021 ObamaCare Eligibility Chart and Subsidy Calculator
This page features a 2021 ObamaCare eligibility chart, the 2020 federal poverty level used for 2021 subsidies, and a subsidy calculator.
TIP: The information on this page is for plans held in 2021. If you are shopping for 2022 plans, see our 2022 ObamaCare Eligibility Chart and Subsidy Calculator.
ObamaCare Cost Assistance
To get assistance under the Affordable Care Act you must earn between 100% – 400% of the poverty level. For 2021, that is $12,760-$51,040 for an individual and $26,200- $104,800 for a family of four.
The types of assistance offered under the Affordable Care Act are:
- Premium Tax Credits
- Cost Sharing Reduction Subsidies (Silver Plans only)
- Medicaid Expansion and CHIP
Each assistance type has different eligibility requirements based on income as a percentage of the federal poverty level.
Obamacare Eligibility Chart
The following is a 2021 ObamaCare eligibility chart.
| Types of Cost Assistance For 2021 | Individual Annual Income | Family of Four Annual Income |
| Medicaid health coverage (if your state decides to offer it) | Up to $17,775 | Up to $36,570 |
| Help to pay your premium (if you buy in your state’s online marketplace) | Between $12,760-$51,040 | Between $26,200- $104,800 |
| Subsidies for out-of-pocket costs (if you buy a Silver plan in your state’s online marketplace) | Between $12,760- $31,900 | Between $26,200- $65,500 |
TIP: Want to find out what you can save quickly, check out our Subsidy Calculator below.
The 2020 Federal Poverty Guidelines Used in 2021
Below are the 2020 Federal Poverty Guidelines that went into effect in early 2020. These guidelines are the key to all income-based cost assistance under the Affordable Care Act, specifically, these guidelines are used for:
- Medicaid/CHIP between Jan 2020 – Jan 2021 (see the guidelines for Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 Medicaid/CHIP).
- Cost assistance on all marketplace health plans held in 2021 and purchased during open enrollment for 2021 (which happens at the end of 2020)
- For special enrollment in 2021.
- For ACA taxes for the 2021 calendar year filed in 2022.
TIP: For mobile and smaller screen sizes, drag the table below to scroll and see the different poverty levels.
TIP: These tables will also be used for cost assistance for 2021 marketplace plans.
| 2020 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persons in Family/Household | 100% FPL: Minimum to Qualify for ACA Assistance | 138% FPL: Medicaid Cap (in States that Expanded) | 250% FPL: CSR Subsidies Cap | 400% FPL: Premium Tax Credit Cap |
| 1 | $12,760 | $17,609 | $31,900 | $51,040 |
| 2 | $17,240 | $23,792 | $43,100 | $68,960 |
| 3 | $21,720 | $29,974 | $54,300 | $86,880 |
| 4 | $26,200 | $36,156 | $65,500 | $104,800 |
| 5 | $30,680 | $42,339 | $76,700 | $122,720 |
| 6 | $35,160 | $48,521 | $87,900 | $140,640 |
| 7 | $39,640 | $54,704 | $99,100 | $158,560 |
| 8 | $44,120 | $60,886 | $110,300 | $176,480 |
| For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,480 for each additional person. | ||||
NOTE: Alaska and Hawaii use different guidelines (see this link to guidelines as published on HHS.Gov).
2021 ObamaCare Subsidy Calculator
Use the following subsidy calculator to find out if you qualify for 2021 assistance now.
NOTE: The subsidy calculator below uses the currently available levels to give you an idea of 2021 subsidy amounts.
Author: Thomas DeMichele
Thomas DeMichele is the head writer and founder of ObamaCareFacts.com, FactsOnMedicare.com, and other websites. He has been in the health insurance and healthcare information field since 2012. ObamaCareFacts.com is a...
Thomas DeMichele's Full Bio