| Federal Poverty Thresholds for 1997 | ||
| Single Parent | Two parents | |
| one child | $11,021 | $12,919 |
| two children | $12,931 | $16,825 |
| three children | $16,333 | $19,154 |
| 1998 Poverty Guidelines | |
| family of 2: | $10,850 |
| family of 3: | $13,650 |
| family of 4: | $16,450 |
| family of 5: | $19,250 |
Programs using the guidelines (or percentage multiples of the guidelines--for instance, 130 percent of the guidelines) in determining eligibility include Head Start, the Food Stamp Program, the National School Lunch Program, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.