Legal Services Corporation Final Rule

2026-01431: Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance

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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).

The agency’s own summary, as published.

The rule, in full

638 words as published, January 26, 2026. View the original →

Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 16 (Monday, January 26, 2026) [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] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 (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

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 * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48 Contiguous States and the Size of household District of Alaska Hawaii Columbia ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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................................................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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 * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48 Contiguous States and the Size of household District of Alaska Hawaii Columbia ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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................................................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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

What this changes

Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

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