[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 58 (Monday, March 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 17529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7117]


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LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION


Request for Comments--Financial Eligibility Screening and Online 
Intake

AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Legal Services Corporation seeks public comment on a draft 
program letter discussing minimum screening requirements for LSC 
recipients to apply when determining financial eligibility of 
applicants based on information collected through online systems.

DATES: Written comments will be accepted until April 25, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by mail, fax or email to 
Mark Freedman, Senior Assistant General Counsel, Legal Services 
Corporation, 3333 K St. NW., Washington, DC 20007; 202-295-1623 
(phone); 202-337-6519 (fax); [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Freedman, Senior Assistant 
General Counsel, Legal Services Corporation, 3333 K St. NW., 
Washington, DC 20007; 202-295-1623 (phone); 202-337-6519 (fax); 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Legal Services Corporation (``LSC'' or 
``Corporation'') was established by the United States Congress ``for 
the purpose of providing financial support for legal assistance in 
noncriminal matters or proceedings to persons financially unable to 
afford such assistance.'' 42 U.S.C. 2996b(a). LSC performs this 
function primarily through providing federal funding to civil legal aid 
programs providing legal services to low-income persons throughout the 
United States and its possessions and territories in geographic areas 
determined by LSC. Each LSC recipient must screen all applicants for 
LSC funded legal assistance to determine if they meet the recipient's 
financial eligibility requirements, which themselves must comply with 
the LSC financial eligibility requirements set forth at 45 CFR part 
1611.
    Over the last several years, LSC has seen a marked increase in the 
number of LSC grant recipients implementing online systems as part of 
their client-eligibility screening systems to improve efficiency in 
their intake processes. LSC has received a corresponding increase in 
compliance-related inquiries pertaining to these systems. LSC has 
prepared this draft program letter to assist LSC recipients in 
complying with eligibility screening requirements for all methods of 
intake, including online intake systems. It reflects LSC's obligation 
to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements 
governing the use of LSC funds, as well as LSC's recognition of the 
realities of practices in the field.
    The draft program letter can be found in the ``Matters for 
Comment'' section of LSC's Web site at: http://www.lsc.gov/about/matters-comment.
    LSC recognizes the importance of input from the public and from LSC 
recipients. It is LSC's intention that the Program Letter balance 
recognition of the advancements in technology with LSC's obligation to 
ensure compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements 
governing the use of LSC funds. LSC encourages all interested parties 
and program staff whose work involves screening applicants to review 
the draft Program Letter and provide input to LSC. Interested parties 
may submit comments to LSC within thirty (30) days of the date of 
publication of this notice.

    Dated: March 20, 2012.
Victor M. Fortuno,
Vice President & General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2012-7117 Filed 3-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7050-01-P