§ 11-603. Income eligibility limits

   (a) Establishment. --

   (1) The Corporation shall establish maximum income levels for client eligibility.

   (2) The income levels shall be based on the financial ability of a client to pay for competent private counsel and all other necessary expenses of representation.

(b) Considerations. -- The maximum income levels established under this section and eligibility guidelines established by each grantee to implement this section shall take into consideration:

   (1) the size of the client's family;

   (2) cost of living variations, including differences between urban and rural areas;

   (3) the assets and income of the client;

   (4) the fixed debts and medical expenses of the client; and

   (5) other factors relevant to the client's ability to pay for the legal services the client requires.

(c) Limitation on maximum income levels. -- The Corporation may not set the maximum income levels for eligibility under this section at a level greater than 50% of the median family income for the State as certified annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 10, § 45G(e); 2007, ch. 3, § 2.