[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 16 (Monday, January 26, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3066-3067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01431]


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LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

45 CFR Part 1611


Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance

AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation.

ACTION: Final rule.

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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 26, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stefanie K. Davis, Deputy General 
Counsel and Ethics Officer, Legal Services Corporation, 1825 I St. NW, 
Washington, DC 20006; (202) 295-1563; [email protected].

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 2026, set out below, are equivalent to 125% 
of the Guidelines published by HHS on January 15, 2026.
    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

0
1. The authority citation for part 1611 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2996g(e).

0
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 2026 Income Guidelines *
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                                                              48 Contiguous
                                                             States and the
                     Size of household                         District of         Alaska            Hawaii
                                                                Columbia
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1.........................................................           $19,950           $24,938           $22,950
2.........................................................            27,050            33,813            31,113
3.........................................................            34,150            42,688            39,275
4.........................................................            41,250            51,563            47,438
5.........................................................            48,350            60,438            55,600
6.........................................................            55,450            69,313            63,763
7.........................................................            62,550            78,188            71,925
8.........................................................            69,650            87,063            80,088
For each additional member of the household in excess of               7,100             8,875             8,163
 8, add...................................................
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* The figures in this table represent 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines by household size as determined by
  HHS.


[[Page 3067]]


                              Reference Chart--200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines *
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                                                              48 Contiguous
                                                             States and the
                     Size of household                         District of         Alaska            Hawaii
                                                                Columbia
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1.........................................................           $31,920           $39,900           $36,720
2.........................................................            43,280            54,100            49,780
3.........................................................            54,640            68,300            62,840
4.........................................................            66,000            82,500            75,900
5.........................................................            77,360            96,700            88,960
6.........................................................            88,720           110,900           102,020
7.........................................................           100,080           125,100           115,080
8.........................................................           111,440           139,300           128,140
For each additional member of the household in excess of              11,360            14,200            13,060
 8, add...................................................
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* The figures in this table represent 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines by household size as determined by
  HHS.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2996g(e).)

    Dated: January 22, 2026.
Stefanie Davis,
Deputy General Counsel and Ethics Officer, Legal Services Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2026-01431 Filed 1-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7050-01-P