The means test in Pennsylvania: median income

The Pennsylvania median income table and the first step of the means test.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

The U.S. Trustee Program publishes these medians for Pennsylvania. Income below the median for your household size passes the first step.

1 person
$72,230
2 people
$87,534
3 people
$110,151
4 people
$135,862
Each extra person
+$11,100
Medians apply to cases filed on or after
April 1, 2026

Check the first step in Pennsylvania

Official Form 122A-1 compares your household's yearly income with the median income in Pennsylvania. Here are the official medians:

  • 1 person$72,230
  • 2 people$87,534
  • 3 people$110,151
  • 4 people$135,862
  • Each extra person+$11,100

Applies to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026. 1 = one earner; 2, 3, 4 = people in the household; add = amount added for each person over 4

The numbers are worked out in your browser. Nothing you enter here is saved or sent.

Before taxes. Add up all income for the last 6 months and divide by 6.

Enter your household size and income

Pennsylvania bankruptcy courts and divisions

You file in the federal district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the last 180 days. Each court lists which counties go to which office: Eastern District https://www.paeb.uscourts.gov/counties-served, Middle District https://www.pamb.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CaseAssignments.pdf, Western District https://www.pawb.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/lrules2013/LocalRule1002-1.pdf.

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1408

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Divisions: Philadelphia, Reading

Clerk's phone: (215) 408-2800 (Philadelphia); (610) 208-5040 (Reading)

Court's self-help page

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Divisions: Wilkes-Barre, Harrisburg, Williamsport (unstaffed; hearings held in Wilkes-Barre)

Clerk's phone: (570) 831-2500 (Wilkes-Barre); (717) 901-2800 (Harrisburg)

Court's self-help page

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Divisions: Pittsburgh Division (offices in Pittsburgh and Johnstown), Erie Division

Clerk's phone: (412) 644-2700 (Pittsburgh); (814) 464-9740 (Erie); (814) 533-4246 (Johnstown)

Court's self-help page

What you can keep in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania you choose state or federal exemptions (exemptions are the property the law lets you keep).

Home (homestead): none — Pennsylvania law has no homestead exemption.

Wildcard (any property): $300 in any property (cash, bank accounts, real estate or other property). It does not apply against support judgments, or against a mortgage foreclosure on the mortgaged property.

Exemptions in Pennsylvania

In nearby states

  • Maryland: 1 person $86,928 · 2 people $114,611 · 3 people $135,949 · 4 people $166,173
  • District of Columbia: 1 person $85,391 · 2 people $161,397 · 3 people $161,397 · 4 people $166,598
  • New Jersey: 1 person $87,173 · 2 people $106,876 · 3 people $137,136 · 4 people $168,127
  • Delaware: 1 person $69,515 · 2 people $94,877 · 3 people $111,273 · 4 people $132,244
  • New York: 1 person $73,272 · 2 people $92,902 · 3 people $115,579 · 4 people $139,040
  • West Virginia: 1 person $63,908 · 2 people $68,592 · 3 people $92,050 · 4 people $93,672

Your next steps in Pennsylvania

  1. Add up 6 months of income

    Add every source of household income for the last 6 months.

  2. Do the official first step

    The court uses Official Form 122A-1.

  3. If you are above the median

    You continue with Official Form 122A-2.

  4. Where the forms go

    You file the forms in Eastern District, Middle District and Western District.

Where to get free help in Pennsylvania

Questions about the means test in Pennsylvania

How much home equity can I keep in Pennsylvania?

None. Pennsylvania law has no homestead exemption. You can use the $300 general exemption toward any property, including your home.

How do I find my bankruptcy court in Pennsylvania?

You file in the federal district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the last 180 days. Each court lists which counties go to which office: Eastern District https://www.paeb.uscourts.gov/counties-served, Middle District https://www.pamb.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CaseAssignments.pdf, Western District https://www.pawb.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/lrules2013/LocalRule1002-1.pdf.

What is the median income for the means test in Pennsylvania?

For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026: 1 person: $72,230; 2 people: $87,534; 3 people: $110,151; 4 people: $135,862; Each extra person: +$11,100.

Is there free bankruptcy help in Pennsylvania?

Philadelphia Legal Assistance / Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project (Philadelphia), Community Legal Services of Philadelphia and Middle District Bankruptcy Bar Association Self Help Program (volunteer attorneys, listed by the Middle District court).

Related Pennsylvania pages