The State Median Income Test: Can You File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

The means test determines whether you can file Chapter 7. It begins by examining your income.

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Chapter 7 bankruptcy is designed to eliminate unsecured debt, such as credit cards, medical debt and utility bills.

Find out if you may be able to erase your debt!

Can You File Chapter 7?   The Next Step:

1) Is your income within the limit? (see below chart)

  • YES: You will likely qualify to file Chapter 7.
  • NO: You may still qualify. Ask a lawyer about the second phase of the means test and Chapter 13.

2) Explore your options with a lawyer. Call 877-833-2410 talk to a lawyer for free -OR- receive a free bankruptcy evaluation by an attorney by clicking on the above box.

If Your Income is Within These Limits, You'll Likely Qualify for Chapter 7:

For cases filed on or after April 1, 2010
State Single-Earner 2-Person 3-Person 4-Person*
*Add $7,500 for each individual in excess of 4.
Alabama $38,278       $47,904 $55,433 $65,079
Alaska $51,945 $73,809 $77,268 $85,118
Arizona $42,476 $56,692 $61,845 $69,205
Arkansas $33,412 $44,257 $48,548 $57,699
California $47,969 $64,647 $70,638 $79,194
Colorado $47,085 $64,754 $69,728 $81,354
Connecticut $58,321 $72,328 $86,335 $101,761
Delaware $46,249 $60,736 $69,826 $88,409
District Of Columbia $42,120 $68,647 $69,047 $69,047
Florida $41,079 $52,073 $58,366 $68,763
Georgia $40,546 $55,061 $60,887 $68,258
Hawaii $55,221 $66,960 $77,263 $91,158
Idaho $39,484 $51,291 $52,577 $61,830
Illinois $45,941 $59,838 $71,075 $81,175
Indiana $40,683 $52,367 $59,438 $70,621
Iowa $39,918 $55,087 $64,143 $72,701
Kansas $41,210 $57,561 $63,212 $72,352
Kentucky $37,450 $45,491 $54,488 $64,230
Louisiana $37,331 $48,115 $53,271 $66,020
Maine $38,674 $50,731 $61,855 $70,124
Maryland $55,041 $72,801 $85,151 $101,441
Massachusetts $53,315 $69,204 $82,297 $99,293
Michigan $43,456 $52,433 $61,517 $74,558
Minnesota $45,101 $62,162 $74,806 $86,329
Mississippi $31,954 $42,606 $46,519 $58,310
Missouri $39,504 $51,385 $60,156 $70,806
Montana $39,979 $52,310 $58,427 $65,593
Nebraska $40,208 $56,659 $63,475 $72,284
Nevada $46,151 $60,234 $66,813 $70,851
New Hampshire $51,332 $63,976 $79,385 $93,592
New Jersey $59,812 $71,744 $85,764 $102,894
New Mexico $36,642 $50,457 $50,457 $55,363
New York $46,320 $57,902 $69,174 $82,164
North Carolina $38,656 $52,008 $56,727 $67,056
North Dakota $36,753 $54,468 $62,412 $74,873
Ohio $41,724 $52,030 $61,552 $73,040
Oklahoma $38,929 $50,710 $54,328 $61,816
Oregon $42,344 $55,820 $62,608 $72,408
Pennsylvania $44,396 $53,572 $67,516 $77,590
Rhode Island $45,061 $62,583 $76,573 $86,692
South Carolina $39,052 $51,191 $55,099 $65,421
South Dakota $36,713 $54,138 $62,928 $69,932
Tennessee $37,598 $48,935 $53,822 $63,999
Texas $38,801 $55,660 $59,011 $66,145
Utah $50,388 $56,729 $61,685 $69,741
Vermont $41,593 $56,656 $65,094 $73,899
Virginia $48,190 $64,890 $73,887 $85,633
Washington $51,161 $63,930 $72,275 $82,422
West Virginia $39,135 $43,070 $51,652 $58,271
Wisconsin $42,205 $57,201 $67,881 $80,243
Wyoming $44,004 $59,617 $65,586 $76,690
Commonwealth or
U.S. Territory		 Single-Earner 2-Person 3-Person 4-Person*
*Add $7,500 for each individual in excess of 4.
Guam $35,891 $42,913 $48,902 $59,178
Northern
Mariana Islands		 $24,101 $24,101 $28,040 $41,242
Puerto Rico $20,311 $20,311 $23,113 $27,434
Virgin Islands $28,476 $34,225 $36,491 $39,980

Note: This table is for general information purposes only and is not legal advice. While we make every attempt to keep the data provided on this page as current as possible, the median income table may be updated at any time, causing the information on this page to become out of date. For the latest information on state median incomes when filing bankruptcy, visit the U.S. Trustee Program Web site or consult with a local personal bankruptcy attorney.

Did You Make Less Than the Median Income In Your State?

If so, call 877-833-2410 or fill out the below form to talk for free with a local bankruptcy lawyer. Connect today for free:

More Information on the Bankruptcy Means Test and Median Incomes

Median income is calculated by separating all households into two groups of equal size, with half earning more than the median and half earning less. Median income varies significantly from state to state, and even within a state depending upon the size of your family.

In the Chapter 7 means test, your median income is determined by looking at household earnings for the six months prior to your bankruptcy filing, and multiplying by two for an annual household income.

If you fall below the median income, you may typically continue with a Chapter 7 filing to receive a debt discharge. If you fall above the median income, your case may be determined to be "abusive" by the bankruptcy courts, and could be converted to a Chapter 13 debt reorganization plan.

The above table provides current median income figures for each state and family size.

For more information on how these figures may be used in your bankruptcy case, connect with a local bankruptcy attorney. Call 877-833-1049 today.

Visit the Bankruptcy Means Test section to learn more about qualifying to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy Median Incomes: Learn More with a Local Attorney

The median income table represents only one part of the bankruptcy means test to determine if you can file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or file Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

For more information on the means test, median income and other bankruptcy requirements, connect with a local bankruptcy attorney today by filling out our free bankruptcy evaluation form.

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