2017-02823. Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance

AGENCY:

Legal Services Corporation.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC or the Corporation) is required by law to establish maximum income levels for individuals eligible for legal assistance. This document updates the specified income levels to reflect the annual amendments to the Federal Poverty Guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

DATES:

Effective February 13, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Stefanie K. Davis, Assistant General Counsel, Legal Services Corporation, 3333 K St. NW., Washington, DC 20007; [phone]; [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 1007(a)(2) of the Legal Services Corporation Act (Act), 42 U.S.C. 2996f(a)(2), requires the Corporation to establish maximum income levels for individuals eligible for legal assistance. Section 1611.3(c) of the Corporation's regulations establishes a maximum income level equivalent to 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (Guidelines), which HHS is responsible for updating and issuing. 45 CFR 1611.3(c).

Each year, LSC publishes an update to Appendix A of 45 CFR part 1611 to provide client income eligibility standards based on the most recent Guidelines. The figures for 2017, set out below, are equivalent to 125% of the Guidelines published by HHS on January 31, 2017, 82 FR 8832.

In addition, LSC is publishing a chart listing income levels that are 200% of the Guidelines. This chart is for reference purposes only as an aid to recipients in assessing the financial eligibility of an applicant whose income is greater than 125% of the applicable Guidelines amount, but less than 200% of the applicable Guidelines amount (and who may be found to be financially eligible under duly adopted exceptions to the annual income ceiling in accordance with 45 CFR 1611.3, 1611.4, and 1611.5).

Except where there are minor variances due to rounding, the amount by which the guideline increases for each additional member of the household is a consistent amount.

List of Subjects in 45 CFR Part 1611

• Grant Programs—Law
• Legal services

For reasons set forth in the preamble, the Legal Services Corporation amends 45 CFR part 1611 as follows:

PART 1611—ELIGIBILITY

1. The authority citation for part 1611 is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2996g(e).

2. Revise appendix A to part 1611 to read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 1611—Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance

Legal Services Corporation 2017 Income Guidelines *

Size of household	48 Contiguous states and the District of Columbia	Alaska	Hawaii
1	$15,075	$18,825	$17,325
2	20,300	25,363	23,338
3	25,525	31,900	29,350
4	30,750	38,438	35,363
5	35,975	44,975	41,375
6	41,200	51,513	47,388
7	46,425	58,050	53,400
8	51,650	64,588	59,413
For each additional member of the household in excess of 8, add	5,225	6,538	6,013
* The figures in this table represent 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines by household size as determined by HHS.

Reference Chart—200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines

Size of household	48 Contiguous states and the District of Columbia	Alaska	Hawaii
1	$24,120	$30,120	$27,720
2	32,480	40,580	37,340
3	40,840	51,040	46,960
4	49,200	61,500	56,580
5	57,560	71,960	66,200
6	65,920	82,420	75,820
7	74,280	92,880	85,440
8	82,640	103,340	95,060
For each additional member of the household in excess of 8, add	8,360	10,460	9,620

Dated: February 7, 2017.

Stefanie K. Davis,

Assistant General Counsel.