03-3780. Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance

AGENCY:

Legal Services Corporation.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Legal Services Corporation (“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 as issued by the Department of Health and Human Services.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This rule is effective as of February 18, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mattie C. Condray, Senior Assistant General Counsel, Legal Services Corporation, 750 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20002-4250; [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, and the Act provides that other specified factors shall be taken into account along with income.

Section 1611.3(b) of the Corporation's regulations establishes a maximum income level equivalent to one hundred and twenty-five percent (125%) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Since 1982, the Department of Health and Human Services has been responsible for updating and issuing the Poverty Guidelines. The revised figures for 2003 set out below are equivalent to 125% of the current Poverty Guidelines as published on February 7, 2003 (68 FR 6457).

List of Subjects in 45 CFR 1611

• Grant programs—law
• Legal services

For reasons set forth above, 45 CFR 1611 is amended as follows:

PART 1611—ELIGIBILITY

1. The authority citation for Part 1611 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Secs. 1006(b)(1), 1007(a)(1) Legal Services Corporation Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 2996e(b)(1), 2996f(a)(1), 2996f(a)(2).

2. Appendix A of Part 1611 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix A of Part 1611—Legal Services Corporation 2003 Poverty Guidelines *

Size of family unit	48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbiai	Alaskaii	Hawaiiiii
1	$11,225	$14,013	$12,913
2	15,150	18,925	17,425
3	19,075	23,838	21,938
4	23,000	28,750	26,450
6	30,850	38,575	35,475
7	34,775	43,488	39,988
8	38,700	48,400	44,500
* The figures in this table represent 125% of the poverty guidelines by family size as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.
i For family units with more than eight members, add $3,925 for each additional member in a family.
ii For family units with more than eight members, add $4,913 for each additional member in a family.
iii For family units with more than eight members, add $4,513 for each additional member in a family.

Victor M. Fortuno,

Vice President for Legal Affairs, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary.