Head Start Income Guideline Calculator

What Is Head Start?

Head Start is a federally funded early childhood education program in the United States. It helps children from low-income families prepare for school.

Head Start programs provide:

• Preschool education
• Health screenings
• Nutritious meals
• Family support services

The program focuses on families who meet income requirements based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

What Is the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)?

The Federal Poverty Level is a yearly income amount set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It changes each year.

For 2025, the calculator uses updated federal poverty guidelines. Eligibility is based on:

• Household size
• Total gross income (before taxes)
• State of residence

The FPL varies slightly in:

• The 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC
• Alaska
• Hawaii

Alaska and Hawaii have higher poverty limits because living costs are higher.

How the Head Start Income Guideline Calculator Works

The calculator uses four main pieces of information:

1. State of Residence

You select:

• 48 Contiguous States & DC
• Alaska
• Hawaii

Each state group uses a multiplier:

• 1.0 for contiguous states
• 1.25 for Alaska
• 1.15 for Hawaii

This adjusts the poverty guideline automatically.

2. Household Size

You select the total number of people in your family.

This includes:

• Adults
• Children
• Anyone living in your household supported by your income

The larger your family, the higher the poverty income limit.

For example:

• 1 person: $15,650 (100% FPL)
• 4 people: $32,150 (100% FPL)
• 8 people: $54,150 (100% FPL)

Each additional person increases the limit.

3. Gross Income (Before Taxes)

You enter your total income before taxes are taken out.

This can be entered as:

• Annual (yearly)
• Monthly
• Bi-weekly
• Weekly

The calculator converts everything into an annual income amount automatically.

For example:

• $2,500 monthly becomes $30,000 annually
• $800 weekly becomes about $41,600 annually

This ensures accurate comparison with poverty guidelines.

4. Automatic Eligibility Categories

Some families qualify automatically, regardless of income.

You may be automatically eligible if:

• You receive SNAP (food stamps)
• You receive TANF (cash assistance)
• You receive SSI
• Your child is in foster care
• Your family is experiencing homelessness

If any of these apply, the calculator will mark you as ELIGIBLE, even if income exceeds poverty limits.

Understanding 100% vs 130% of Poverty

This part is important.

100% of the Federal Poverty Level

If your annual income is at or below 100% of the FPL:

You are income eligible for Head Start.

This is the main eligibility threshold.

130% of the Federal Poverty Level

Some Head Start programs can enroll families up to 130% of the poverty level if space is available.

If your income falls between:

• 100% FPL
• 130% FPL

The calculator will show LIKELY ELIGIBLE.

Final decisions are made by your local Head Start program.

Example: How the Calculator Determines Eligibility

Let’s walk through a simple example.

Family of 4 in Texas
Annual income: $30,000

For 4 people in the contiguous states:

• 100% FPL: $32,150
• 130% FPL: $41,795

Since $30,000 is below $32,150:

Result: ELIGIBLE

Now another example.

Family of 4 earning $38,000

• Above 100%
• Below 130%

Result: LIKELY ELIGIBLE

If income were $50,000:

Result: NOT ELIGIBLE

What Happens After You Use the Calculator?

The calculator shows:

• Your annual income
• 100% Federal Poverty Level
• 130% Poverty Level
• Your eligibility status

But this is only an estimate.

Final approval is handled by your local Head Start agency.

Why Income Frequency Matters

Many parents make a common mistake.

They enter a monthly or weekly income without converting it properly.

The calculator prevents that error by using built-in divisors:

• Monthly income is divided by 0.083333
• Bi-weekly income is divided by 0.038462
• Weekly income is divided by 0.019231

This converts pay periods into annual totals.

That makes the results more accurate.

Who Should Use a Head Start Income Guideline Calculator?

This tool is helpful for:

• Parents applying for preschool
• Families receiving public assistance
• Foster parents
• Social workers helping clients
• Community support organizations

It gives a quick estimate before submitting official paperwork.

Important Disclaimer

The calculator uses 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines.

However:

• Local programs make final decisions
• Some programs may serve families above 130%
• Other early education programs may have higher income limits

If you are slightly above the limit, you should still contact your local Head Start provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does unemployment income count?

Yes. Most income sources count toward gross income.

Does child support count?

In many cases, yes. It depends on how your local program calculates income.

What if my income recently changed?

Head Start programs often look at recent income. If you lost a job, you may still qualify even if last year’s income was higher.

Can I qualify if I work full time?

Yes. Many working families qualify if their income is within poverty guidelines.