Pennsylvania Means Test Income Limits for 2026

The means test is the primary tool the bankruptcy court uses to determine whether you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It compares your household income against the median income for a household of your size in Pennsylvania. If your income falls below the median, you pass and can file Chapter 7. If it exceeds the median, you move to the second part of the test, where allowable deductions may still bring you under the threshold.

The U.S. Trustee Program updates these median income figures periodically, and the numbers that apply to your case are the ones in effect on the date you file. Here are the current figures for Pennsylvania and what you need to know about how the test actually works.

Current PA Median Income Figures

The U.S. Trustee Program publishes updated median family income data based on Census Bureau figures. For Pennsylvania, the current annual median income thresholds are approximately:

1-person household: $62,448
2-person household: $79,092
3-person household: $93,804
4-person household: $113,376

For households larger than four people, you add roughly $9,900 for each additional member. These figures are updated regularly, so the exact numbers at the time you file may differ slightly. Your attorney will use the figures in effect on your filing date.

If your total household income over the six months prior to filing, annualized, falls below the applicable median for your household size, you pass the means test. That is the end of the analysis, and you are eligible for Chapter 7.

The Six-Month Lookback Period

The means test does not look at your income for the current month or even the current year. It examines your gross income for the full six calendar months before the month in which you file. If you file in April, the test looks at October through March.

This six-month total is then doubled to produce an annualized income figure. That annualized number is what gets compared to the state median. This calculation method matters because it means a recent job loss, a period of reduced hours, or a seasonal income dip can work in your favor. Conversely, if you received a one-time bonus or worked overtime during the lookback period, that inflates your figure even if it does not reflect your normal earnings.

Timing your filing to account for the lookback period is one of the most important strategic decisions in a bankruptcy case. At our Pittsburgh office, we run these calculations carefully before recommending a filing date.

What Counts as Income

The means test uses a broad definition of income. It includes:

Wages and salary from all sources, including part-time work and side jobs. Self-employment income (net revenue, not gross). Rental income from investment properties. Pension and retirement distributions you are currently receiving. Unemployment compensation. Workers' compensation. Alimony or spousal support received.

One critical exclusion: Social Security income is not counted in the means test. This is a significant benefit for retirees and disabled individuals who rely on Social Security as their primary income source. If Social Security makes up most of your income, you will very likely pass the means test regardless of the amount.

Veterans' disability benefits are also excluded from the means test calculation. Additionally, certain qualified military service members may be exempt from the means test entirely.

Part Two: The Deduction Analysis

If your income exceeds the PA median, you are not automatically disqualified from Chapter 7. The second part of the means test allows you to subtract certain monthly expenses from your income. These deductions include:

IRS-allowed living expenses for categories like food, clothing, personal care, and entertainment (these are standardized amounts, not your actual spending). Actual mortgage or rent payments. Car payments and transportation costs. Health insurance premiums. Childcare and child education expenses. Required payroll deductions like taxes and mandatory retirement contributions. Court-ordered payments such as child support or alimony.

After applying all allowable deductions, if your remaining "disposable income" over five years would be less than a certain threshold (currently around $8,950 over 60 months), you still pass the means test and can file Chapter 7.

What If You Are Close to the Line?

Many of the clients who walk into our office fall into a gray area. Their income is near or slightly above the median, and the outcome depends on which deductions apply and how the six-month lookback aligns with their income history. If you are in this situation, here are a few things to consider.

First, timing matters. If your income fluctuates, filing during a period of lower earnings can make the difference. Second, make sure all legitimate deductions are claimed. People often overlook healthcare costs, ongoing medical expenses, or education expenses for dependent children. Third, if you have secured debts like a mortgage or car loan, those payments reduce your disposable income on the means test. For more detail on how the means test mechanics work, see our full guide on the Chapter 7 means test.

If you genuinely cannot pass the means test, Chapter 13 bankruptcy remains a strong option. Chapter 13 does not require you to pass the means test. It uses your disposable income to structure a repayment plan over three to five years, after which remaining qualifying debts are discharged.

Special Circumstances

Certain situations can affect your means test calculation in ways that are not immediately obvious. If you are married but filing individually, your spouse's income is initially included in the calculation but can be partially offset through a "marital adjustment" deduction for expenses your spouse pays that do not benefit you. If you are separated but not yet divorced, the analysis becomes more nuanced.

Business owners and self-employed individuals face additional complexity because their income may vary significantly from month to month. Proper documentation of business expenses and income is essential for an accurate means test calculation.

Get Your Means Test Calculated

The means test is a mathematical exercise, but the inputs require judgment and experience to get right. Which income to count, which deductions to claim, and when to file can all affect the outcome. At Bryan P. Keenan & Associates, we run a complete means test analysis during your free initial consultation so you know exactly where you stand before making any decisions.