HR 1428

The Poverty Line Act of 2025 aims to update the federal poverty guidelines to better reflect the actual costs of basic needs for American households. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to calculate regional poverty guidelines based on factors like food, housing, childcare, and health insurance costs, using regional data and incorporating inflation. The updated guidelines may not be lower than existing ones, and HHS must provide a public tool for determining poverty guidelines, with regular reviews and potential adjustments to ensure they accurately reflect household expenses and promote economic mobility.