2003 HHS Poverty Guidelines

Size of
Family Unit		 48 Contiguous
States and D.C.		 Alaska Hawaii
1 $ 8,980 $11,210 $10,330
2 12,120 15,140 13,940
3 15,260 19,070 17,550
4 18,400 23,000 21,160
5 21,540 26,930 24,770
6 24,680 30,860 28,380
7 27,820 34,790 31,990
8 30,960 38,720 35,600
For each additional
person, add		  3,140  3,930  3,610

SOURCE:  Federal Register, Vol. 68, No. 26, February 7, 2003, pp. 6456-6458.

This graph gives a clear definition of what the government defines as financial poverty.  Poverty, in this case, is based on the number of people in the family and the amount of money that is earned.  If a family makes below the amount of money that specified for the amount of people in their family they are considered to be in poverty.