[Hermann the Cherusker]

Would the poverty level be jiggered by area of the country? Its more expensive to live in NYC or LA than in Dubuque.

[looscnnn]

No. It is based on the Federal poverty level.

[Remember_Salamis]

"Would the poverty level be jiggered by area of the country? Its more expensive to live in NYC or LA than in Dubuque."

-- That's no different than the current tax bracket system. The 15% tax bracket ends around $26,000. In Mississippi, you're doing pretty good at $26,000, but in California you're truly struggling.