Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program

Supplemental 2020 Schedule of Income Eligibility Levels 

Effective January 14, 2020 

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 February 2020. The 

levels remain at 200% of poverty, effective January 14, 2020, to conform to the Edward M. 

Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009.

DATES: These guidelines are effective as of January 14, 2020 and remain in effect until the HHS 

Poverty Guidelines are revised for 2021. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Corporation for National and Community 

Service, Anne Otih, Senior Program Officer, Senior Corps, 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 

20525, by telephone at (202) 606-5000, or via e-mail: SCInnovation@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. 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, Vol. 69, No. 75, 

Monday, April 19, 2004, and Vol. 83, No. 241 Monday, December 17, 2018. 

• 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.

• 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 theFoster

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. 

2020 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.... $25,520 $34,480 $43,440 $52,400

Alaska........................................ $31,900 $43,100 $54,300 $65,500

Hawaii........................................ $29,360 $39,660 $49,960 $60,260

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For family units with more than four members, add $8,960 for each additional member in all States except 

Alaska and Hawaii, $11,200 for Alaska, and $10,300 for Hawaii.

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

Poverty Guidelines now in effect as follows: 

2020 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.... $12,760 $17,240 $21,720 $26,200

Alaska........................................ $15,950 $21,550 $27,150 $32,750

Hawaii........................................ $14,680 $19,830 $24,980 $30,130

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For family units with more than four members, add $4,480 for each additional member in all States except 

Alaska and Hawaii, $5,600 for Alaska, and $5,150 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

Director, Senior Corps

Date