2016-02241. 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 5, 2016.

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 one hundred and twenty-five percent (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 2016, set out below, are equivalent to 125 percent (125%) of the current Guidelines published by HHS on January 25, 2016 (81 FR 4036).

In addition, LSC is publishing a chart listing income levels that are two hundred percent (200%) of the Guidelines. This chart is 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 Guidelines amount, but less than 200 percent (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).

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—FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY

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

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

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 2016 Income Guidelines *

Size of household	48 Contiguous states and the District of Columbia	Alaska	Hawaii
1	$14,850	$18,550	$17,088
2	20,025	25,025	23,038
3	25,200	31,500	28,988
4	30,375	37,975	34,938
5	35,550	44,450	40,888
6	40,725	50,925	46,838
7	45,913	57,400	52,788
8	51,113	63,900	58,763
For each additional member of the household in excess of 8, add	5,200	6,500	5,975
* The figures in this table represent 125% of the 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	$23,760	$29,680	$27,340
2	32,040	40,040	36,860
3	40,320	50,400	46,380
4	48,600	60,760	55,900
5	56,880	71,120	65,420
6	65,160	81,480	74,940
7	73,460	91,840	84,460
8	81,780	102,240	94,020
For each additional member of the household in excess of 8, add	8,320	10,400	9,560

Dated: February 2, 2016.

Stefanie K. Davis,

Assistant General Counsel.