2018-01138. Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance

AGENCY:

Legal Services Corporation.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) 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 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

DATES:

Effective January 23, 2018.

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 LSC to establish maximum income levels for individuals eligible for legal assistance. Section 1611.3(c) of LSC'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 updates Appendix A to 45 CFR part 1611 to provide client income eligibility standards based on the most recent Guidelines. The figures for 2018, set out below, are equivalent to 125% of the Guidelines published by HHS on January 18, 2018, 83 FR 2642.

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 continues 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 2018 Income Guidelines ^*

Size of household	48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia	Alaska	Hawaii
1	$15,175	$18,975	$17,450
2	20,575	25,725	23,663
3	25,975	32,475	29,875
4	31,375	39,225	36,088
5	36,775	45,975	42,300
6	42,175	52,725	48,513
7	47,575	59,475	54,725
8	52,975	66,225	60,938
For each additional member of the household in excess of 8, add:	5,400	6,750	6,213
* 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	$24,280	$30,360	$27,920
2	32,920	41,160	37,860
3	41,560	51,960	47,800
4	50,200	62,760	57,740
5	58,840	73,560	67,680
6	67,480	84,360	77,620
7	76,120	95,160	87,560
8	84,760	105,960	97,500
For each additional member of the household in excess of 8, add:	8,640	10,800	9,940

Dated: January 18, 2018.

Stefanie K. Davis,

Assistant General Counsel.