How the Chapter 7 income limit works
Chapter 7 has no single income limit; the bankruptcy means test compares your income with the median family income in your state for a household your size.[3] If your “current monthly income” times 12 is at or below that median, the presumption of abuse does not arise and you skip the rest of the means test.[3][4] If it is above, you complete the second part of the test (Form 122A-2), which subtracts allowed living expenses and debt payments to see whether you could repay creditors.[4]
- Add up income received in the six full calendar months before you file, from all sources except Social Security benefits, and divide by six.[4]
- Multiply by 12.
- Compare with the median for your state and household size in the table below.
Median income by state for the means test
The U.S. Trustee Program updates these figures from Census Bureau data; the table below applies to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026, and the July 15, 2026 update kept the same medians.[1][2] For households larger than four, add $11,100 for each extra person.[2]
| State or territory | 1 earner | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,321 | $77,451 | $92,698 | $106,740 |
| Alaska | $85,817 | $112,548 | $112,548 | $142,136 |
| Arizona | $73,935 | $89,027 | $104,965 | $121,174 |
| Arkansas | $58,421 | $73,630 | $82,329 | $97,054 |
| California | $79,253 | $102,797 | $116,541 | $139,071 |
| Colorado | $87,940 | $109,497 | $130,850 | $153,501 |
| Connecticut | $84,302 | $106,224 | $134,470 | $159,934 |
| Delaware | $69,515 | $94,877 | $111,273 | $132,244 |
| District of Columbia | $85,391 | $161,397 | $161,397 | $166,598 |
| Florida | $69,876 | $86,523 | $97,540 | $114,761 |
| Georgia | $68,478 | $84,965 | $101,479 | $123,481 |
| Guam | $53,859 | $64,399 | $73,385 | $88,805 |
| Hawaii | $85,254 | $106,202 | $123,454 | $142,181 |
| Idaho | $73,413 | $86,160 | $98,381 | $119,662 |
| Illinois | $73,180 | $93,934 | $113,625 | $137,902 |
| Indiana | $64,461 | $81,986 | $95,627 | $115,656 |
| Iowa | $67,617 | $88,800 | $104,133 | $126,058 |
| Kansas | $69,197 | $87,441 | $103,852 | $125,971 |
| Kentucky | $61,652 | $73,892 | $85,212 | $109,443 |
| Louisiana | $59,447 | $72,348 | $84,602 | $103,628 |
| Maine | $75,892 | $90,445 | $106,822 | $131,577 |
| Maryland | $86,928 | $114,611 | $135,949 | $166,173 |
| Massachusetts | $88,202 | $112,708 | $139,411 | $178,524 |
| Michigan | $67,352 | $83,432 | $103,449 | $123,010 |
| Minnesota | $77,696 | $98,328 | $126,487 | $149,882 |
| Mississippi | $53,978 | $70,328 | $82,846 | $97,464 |
| Missouri | $64,972 | $82,075 | $100,228 | $118,530 |
| Montana | $71,310 | $91,452 | $103,285 | $121,698 |
| Nebraska | $66,922 | $90,728 | $103,405 | $125,074 |
| Nevada | $72,222 | $87,914 | $101,638 | $114,110 |
| New Hampshire | $87,287 | $109,324 | $141,531 | $155,203 |
| New Jersey | $87,173 | $106,876 | $137,136 | $168,127 |
| New Mexico | $66,235 | $79,574 | $88,041 | $98,602 |
| New York | $73,272 | $92,902 | $115,579 | $139,040 |
| North Carolina | $67,117 | $84,384 | $101,535 | $116,737 |
| North Dakota | $73,549 | $96,352 | $106,686 | $137,817 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | $36,168 | $36,168 | $42,080 | $61,891 |
| Ohio | $66,239 | $83,725 | $102,504 | $123,702 |
| Oklahoma | $61,180 | $77,208 | $86,845 | $101,798 |
| Oregon | $79,089 | $93,670 | $116,729 | $140,024 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,230 | $87,534 | $110,151 | $135,862 |
| Puerto Rico | $30,665 | $30,665 | $40,976 | $50,543 |
| Rhode Island | $77,653 | $98,736 | $119,419 | $137,479 |
| South Carolina | $64,808 | $83,761 | $95,672 | $116,314 |
| South Dakota | $69,190 | $89,809 | $100,883 | $130,738 |
| Tennessee | $63,979 | $82,846 | $97,511 | $109,585 |
| Texas | $66,837 | $86,714 | $99,273 | $117,962 |
| Utah | $87,898 | $95,757 | $112,751 | $131,741 |
| Vermont | $72,461 | $96,963 | $114,075 | $137,583 |
| Virgin Islands | $42,734 | $51,360 | $54,760 | $59,995 |
| Virginia | $78,491 | $101,171 | $123,159 | $144,826 |
| Washington | $88,585 | $107,100 | $131,737 | $156,567 |
| West Virginia | $63,908 | $68,592 | $92,050 | $93,672 |
| Wisconsin | $71,168 | $90,252 | $108,516 | $133,384 |
| Wyoming | $71,745 | $91,502 | $98,476 | $110,297 |
Example: in California a household of three has a median of $116,541, so average monthly income up to $9,712 passes the first step; in Texas the same household’s median is $99,273 ($8,273 a month).
Bankruptcy income limits and public benefits
The bankruptcy median is far above benefit program limits. A family of four in Texas could have up to $117,962 a year and still pass this step, while the SNAP gross limit for four is $42,900 a year at 130% of poverty. Social Security benefits are left out of the bankruptcy calculation entirely, but they count for SNAP.[4] If money is tight, check the SNAP calculator, your state’s food stamps income limit, and the requirements to be on food stamps.
Not legal advice. The means test has many details (who counts in the household, which income counts, deductions on Form 122A-2, exemptions for disabled veterans and some others). Courts and the U.S. Trustee apply it to your case. SNAP by State is an independent site and does not refer people to lawyers or debt services.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
Your state’s median family income for your household size. For cases filed since April 1, 2026 it is, for example, $66,837 for one earner and $117,962 for four people in Texas.
Can I file Chapter 7 if my income is above the median?
Possibly. You then complete the full means test, which subtracts allowed expenses; if the remaining disposable income is low enough, the presumption of abuse does not arise.
Does Social Security count in the Chapter 7 means test?
No. Benefits received under the Social Security Act are excluded from current monthly income on Form 122A-1.
How often are the Chapter 7 median income figures updated?
The U.S. Trustee Program publishes new tables periodically; the current medians apply to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026.