Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program 

Supplemental 2018 Schedule of Income Eligibility Levels 

Effective January 13, 2018 

SUMMARY: This notice revises the schedules of income eligibility levels for participation in the 

Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) and the Senior Companion Program (SCP) of the Corporation 

for National and Community Service, published at the Senior Corps website in January 2018. The 

levels remain at 200% of poverty, effective January 13, 2018, to conform to the Edward M. 

Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009. 

DATES: These guidelines are effective as of January 13, 2018, and remain in effect until the HHS 

Poverty Guidelines are revised for 2019. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Corporation for National and Community 

Service, Tamika Becton, Management and Program Analyst, Senior Corps, 250 E Street, SW, 

Washington, DC 20525, by telephone at (202) 606-5000, or via e-mail: seniorfeedback@cns.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The revised schedule is based on the Poverty Guidelines 

issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), published in the Federal 

Register, Vol. 83, No. 12, pp. 2642 - 2644, January 18, 2018. In accordance with the Serve America 

Act, the income eligibility level is 200% of the poverty guideline for volunteers enrolled on or after 

October 1, 2009. 

In determining income eligibility, consideration should be given to the following, as set forth in 45 

CFR 2551-2552 dated October 1, 1999, as amended per the Federal Register, Vol. 67, No. 188, 

Friday, September 27, 2002, Vol. 69, No.72, Wednesday, April 14, 2004, and Vol. 69, No. 75, 

Monday, April 19, 2004. 

 Allowable medical expenses are annual out-of-pocket expenses for health insurance 

premiums, health care services, and medications provided to the applicant, enrollee, or 

spouse, which were not and will not be paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, other insurance, or 

by any other third party, and which do not exceed 50 percent of the applicable Corporation 

income guideline. 

 Annual income is counted for the past 12 months, for serving SCP and FGP volunteers, and 

is projected for the subsequent 12 months for applicants to become SCP and FGP 

volunteers. 

 Annual income includes the applicant or enrollee's income and the applicant or enrollee's 

spouse's income, if the spouse lives in the same residence. Sponsors must count the value of 

shelter, food, and clothing, if provided at no cost by persons related to the applicant, enrollee 

or spouse. 

 Any person whose income is not more than 100 percent of the DHHS Poverty Guideline for 

her/his specific family unit shall be given special consideration for participation in the Foster 

Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs. 
Clarification regarding Food Stamps: For eligibility purposes, income does not include the value 

of food stamps provided under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended. 

2018 FGP/SCP Income Eligibility Levels 

[Based on 200 percent of DHHS poverty guidelines] 

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Family units of 

States --------------------------------------------------------------- 

 One Two Three Four 

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All, except Alaska & Hawaii.... $24,280 $32,920 $41,560 $50,200 

Alaska........................................ $30,360 $41,160 $51,960 $62,760 

Hawaii........................................ $27,920 $37,860 $47,800 $57,740 

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For family units with more than four members, add $8,360 for each additional member in all States except 

Alaska and Hawaii, $10,460 for Alaska, and $9,620 for Hawaii. 

The revised income eligibility levels presented here are calculated from the base DHHS 

Poverty Guidelines now in effect as follows: 

2018 DHHS Poverty Guidelines for All States 

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Family units of: 

States --------------------------------------------------------------- 

 One Two Three Four

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All, except Alaska & Hawaii.... $12,140 $16,460 $20,780 $25,100 

Alaska........................................ $15,180 $20,580 $25,980 $31,380 

Hawaii........................................ $13,960 $18,930 $23,900 $28,870 

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For family units with more than four members, add $4,320 for each additional member in all States except 

Alaska and Hawaii, $5,400 for Alaska, and $4,970 for Hawaii. 

Authority: These programs are authorized pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 5011 and 5013 of the Domestic 

Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended. The income eligibility levels are determined by the 

current guidelines published by DHHS pursuant to Sections 652 and 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget 

Reconciliation Act of 1981 which requires poverty guidelines to be adjusted for Consumer Price 

Index changes. 

____________________________ ____________________

Deborah Cox-Roush Date 

Director, Senior Corps