Legal assistance eligibility; maximum income guidelines,

[Federal Register: February 25, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 37)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 8484]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr25fe02-9]

LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

45 CFR Part 1611

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 25, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mattie C. Condray, Senior Assistant General Counsel, Legal Services Corporation, 750 First Street N.E., Washington, DC 20002-4250; (202) 336-8817; mcondray@lsc.gov.

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 2002 set out below are equivalent to 125% of the current Poverty Guidelines as published on February 14, 2002 (67 FR 6931).

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 2002 Poverty Guidelines*

   48 contiguous States and the Size of family unit

   District of Alaska \ii\ Hawaii \iii\ Columbia \i\

1. $11,075

   $13,850

   $12,750 2............................................................

   14,925

   18,663

   17,175 3............................................................

   18,775

   23,475

   21,600 4............................................................

   22,625

   28,288

   26,025 5............................................................

   26,475

   33,100

   30,450 6............................................................

   30,325

   37,913

   34,875 7............................................................

   34,175

   42,725

   39,300 8............................................................

   38,025

   47,538

   43,725

   * 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 $3,850 for each additional member in a family. \ii\ For family units with more than eight members, add $4,813 for each additional member in a family. \iii\ For family units with more than eight members, add $4,425 for each additional member in a family.

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

   [FR Doc. 02-4420Filed2-22-02; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 7050-01-P