Operational Guidance | OG 02-2026: Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL)
- Date: May 13, 2026
- Subject: 2026 Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL)
- From: Andrea L. DeSantis, Assistant Secretary for Workforce
Purpose:
To transmit the Program Year 2026 income chart identifying the higher of the "Federal Poverty Level Income Guidelines" and the "70% LLSIL Guidelines" for the year.
This Operational Guidance rescinds OG 03-2025, updates the LLSIL Adjusted Income Chart, and adds Wayne County as a Metropolitan Statistical Area. This OG and the procedures herein supersede all previous policies, procedures, and guidelines regarding the LLSIL.
Background:
The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) published the LLSIL in the Federal Register on April 22, 2026.
The LLSIL is used for several purposes under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Specifically, WIOA Section 3(36) defines the term ‘‘low-income individual’’ for eligibility purposes, and Sections 127(b)(2)(C) and 132(b)(1)(B)(v)(IV) define the terms ‘‘disadvantaged youth’’ and ‘‘disadvantaged adult’’ in terms of the poverty line or LLSIL for state formula allotments. The Governor, State, and Local Area Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) use the LLSIL for determining eligibility for youth and adults for certain services.
The USDOL Employment and Training Administration (ETA) encourages governors and state/WDBs to consult the WIOA Final Rule and ETA guidance for more specific guidance in applying LLSIL to program requirements. WIOA defines the term "low-income individual" as one who qualifies under various criteria, including an individual who is in a family with a total family income that does not exceed the higher level of the poverty line or 70% of the LLSIL.
WIOA Section 3(36)(B) defines the LLSIL as "that income level (adjusted for regional, metropolitan, urban and rural differences, and family size) determined annually by the U.S. Secretary of Labor based on the most recent lower living family budget issued by the Secretary."
Action:
The attached 2026 LLSIL Adjusted Income Chart is to be used to determine low-income status of applicants for WIOA services as noted in WIOA Section 3(36)(B).
Effective Date:
April 22, 2026 (Per USDOL)
Expiration:
Indefinite
Contact:
DWS Planner
Attachment:
2026 LLSIL Adjusted Income Chart