[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10452-10453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03590]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


``Low Income Levels'' Used for Various Health Professions and 
Nursing Programs Authorized in Titles III, VII, and VIII of the Public 
Health Service Act

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department 
of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: HRSA is updating income levels used to identify a ``low income 
family'' for the purpose of determining eligibility for programs that 
provide health professions and nursing training to individuals from 
disadvantaged backgrounds. These various programs are authorized in 
Titles III, VII, and VIII of the Public Health Service Act.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: HHS periodically publishes in the Federal 
Register low-income levels to be used by institutions receiving grants 
and cooperative agreements to determine eligibility for programs 
providing training for (1) disadvantaged individuals, (2) individuals 
from disadvantaged backgrounds, or (3) individuals from low-income 
families.
    Many health professions and nursing grant and cooperative agreement 
awardees use the low-income levels to determine whether potential 
program participants are from an economically disadvantaged background 
and would be eligible to participate in the program, as well as to 
determine the amount of funding the individual receives. Awards are 
generally made to accredited schools of medicine, osteopathic medicine, 
public health, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, pharmacy, 
allied health, podiatric medicine, nursing, and chiropractic; public or 
private nonprofit schools which offer graduate programs in behavioral 
health and mental health practice; and other public or private 
nonprofit health or education entities to assist the disadvantaged to 
enter and graduate from health professions and nursing schools. Some 
programs provide for the repayment of health professions or nursing 
education loans for disadvantaged students.
    A ``low-income family/household'' for workforce training programs 
included in Titles III, VII, and VIII of the Public Health Service Act 
is defined as having an annual income that does not exceed 200 percent 
of the Department's poverty guidelines. A family is a group of two or 
more individuals related by birth, marriage, or adoption who live 
together.
    Most HRSA programs use the income of a student's parent(s) to 
compute low income status. However, a ``household'' may potentially be 
only one person. Other HRSA programs, depending upon the legislative 
intent of the program, the programmatic purpose related to income 
level, as well as the age and circumstances of the participant, will 
apply these low income standards to the individual student to determine 
eligibility, as long as he or she is not listed as a dependent on the 
tax form of his or her parent(s). Each program announces the rationale 
and choice of methodology for determining low-income levels in program 
guidance.
    Low-income levels are adjusted annually based on HHS's poverty 
guidelines. HHS's poverty guidelines are based on poverty thresholds 
published by the U.S. Census Bureau, adjusted annually for changes in 
the Consumer Price Index. The income figures below have been updated to 
reflect the Department's 2020 poverty guidelines as published in 85 FR 
12 (January 17, 2020).

    Low Income Levels Based on the 2020 Poverty Guidelines for the 48
             Contiguous States and the District of Columbia
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Income level
              Persons in family/household *                     **
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................................         $25,520
2.......................................................          34,480
3.......................................................          43,440
4.......................................................          52,400
5.......................................................          61,360
6.......................................................          70.320
7.......................................................          79,280
8.......................................................          88,240
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For families with more than 8 persons, add $8,960 for each additional
  person.
* Includes only dependents listed on federal income tax forms.
** Adjusted gross income for calendar year 2019.


    Low Income Levels Based on the 2020 Poverty Guidelines for Alaska
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Income level
              Persons in family/household *                     **
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................................         $31,900
2.......................................................          43,100
3.......................................................          54,300
4.......................................................          65,500
5.......................................................          76,700
6.......................................................          87,900
7.......................................................          99,100
8.......................................................         110,300
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For families with more than 8 persons, add $11,200 for each additional
  person.
* Includes only dependents listed on federal income tax forms.

[[Page 10453]]

 
** Adjusted gross income for calendar year 2019.


    Low Income Levels Based on the 2020 Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii
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                                                           Income level
              Persons in family/household *                     **
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................................         $29,360
2.......................................................          39,660
3.......................................................          49,960
4.......................................................          60,260
5.......................................................          70,560
6.......................................................          80,860
7.......................................................          91,160
8.......................................................         101,460
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For families with more than 8 persons, add $10,300 for each additional
  person.
* Includes only dependents listed on federal income tax forms.
** Adjusted gross income for calendar year 2019.

    Separate poverty guidelines figures for Alaska and Hawaii reflect 
Office of Economic Opportunity administrative practice beginning in the 
1966-1970 period since the U.S. Census Bureau poverty thresholds do not 
have separate figures for Alaska and Hawaii. The poverty guidelines are 
not defined for Puerto Rico or other outlying jurisdictions. Puerto 
Rico and other outlying jurisdictions shall use income guidelines for 
the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia.

    Dated: February 18, 2020.
Thomas J. Engels,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2020-03590 Filed 2-21-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P