2014-02299. 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 issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

DATES:

Effective: February 5, 2014.

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, and the Act provides that other specified factors shall be taken into account along with income.

Section 1611.3(c) of the Corporation's regulations establishes a maximum income level equivalent to one hundred and twenty-five percent (125%) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. 45 CFR 1611.3(c). Since 1982, the DHHS has been responsible for updating and issuing the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The figures for 2014 set out below are equivalent to 125 percent (125%) of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines as published on January 22, 2014 (79 FR 3593).

In addition, LSC is publishing charts listing income levels that are two hundred percent (200%) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These charts are for reference purposes only as an aid to grant recipients in assessing the financial eligibility of an applicant whose income is greater than 125 percent (125%) of the applicable Federal Poverty Guidelines amount, but less than 200 percent (200%) of the applicable Federal Poverty Guidelines amount (and who may be found to be financially eligible under duly adopted exception to the annual income ceiling in accordance with §§ 1611.3, 1611.4, and 1611.5).

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. Revise the authority citation for part 1611 to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2996e(b)(1), 2996e(b)(3), 2996f(a)(1), 2996f(a)(2), 2996g(e); Section 509(h) of Pub. L. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321 (1996); Pub. L. 105-119, 11 Stat. 2512 (1998).

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 2013 Income Guidelines *

Size of household	48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia	Alaska	Hawaii
1	$14,588	$18,225	$16,775
2	19,663	24,575	22,613
3	24,738	30,925	28,450
4	29,813	37,275	34,288
5	34,888	43,625	40,125
6	39,963	49,975	45,963
7	45,038	56,325	51,800
8	50,113	62,675	57,638
For each additional member of the household in excess of 8, add:	5,075	6,350	5,838
* The figures in this table represent 125% of the poverty guidelines by household size as determined by DHHS.

Reference Chart—200% of DHHS Federal Poverty Guidelines

Size of household	48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia	Alaska	Hawaii
1	$23,340	$29,160	$26,840
2	31,460	39,320	36,180
3	39,580	49,480	45,520
4	47,700	59,640	54,860
5	55,820	69,800	64,200
6	63,940	79,960	73,540
7	72,060	90,120	82,880
8	80,180	100,280	92,220
For each additional member of the household in excess of 8, add:	8,120	10,160	9,340

Dated: January 29, 2014.

Stefanie K. Davis,

Assistant General Counsel.