---
title: "Check a private-lawyer claim against the fee-generating limits"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/reconcile-a-private-practitioner-s-claim-with-the-ban-on-charging-the-ai/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A54-NE20261022-2-US"
practice_area: "Legal Aid & Community Legal Practice"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Check a private-lawyer claim against the fee-generating limits

> List whether the matter would generate a fee, whether a referral service or private lawyers have declined it, and whether anyone proposes to charge the client.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/reconcile-a-private-practitioner-s-claim-with-the-ban-on-charging-the-ai/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Legal Aid & Community Legal Practice](https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | List whether the matter would generate a fee, whether a referral service or private lawyers have declined it, and whether anyone proposes to charge the client. |
| What the lawyer must review | 42 U.S.C. § 2996f(b)(1) says Corporation funds may not be used for a fee-generating case except under Corporation guidelines, which must not bar help where the client seeks only statutory benefits and private representation is not available. Section 2996f(a)(10) requires attorneys doing Corporation-supported work to refrain from personal representation for a private fee in any case in which they were involved while doing that work. 45 C.F.R. § 1609.3 says a recipient may not use Corporation funds in a fee-generating case unless the case was rejected by the local referral service or by two private attorneys, or neither will consider it without a consultation fee, or another exception in that section applies. 45 C.F.R. § 1614 allows some modified pro bono plans to charge eligible clients a nominal fee. This is not a ban on every charge to the client. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Reconcile a private practitioner's claim with the ban on charging the aided person](https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/reconcile-a-private-practitioner-s-claim-with-the-ban-on-charging-the-ai.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: List whether the matter would generate a fee, whether a referral service or private lawyers have declined it, and whether anyone proposes to charge the client.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Read the rest of § 1609.3 before you treat a referral as optional. A nominal client fee under a § 1614 plan is a different question from a private fee charged by a lawyer who handled the case with Corporation support.

## Sources

- [45 C.F.R. Part 1609 (fee-generating cases)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XVI/part-1609) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [42 U.S.C. § 2996f (grants and contracts)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/2996f) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [45 C.F.R. Part 1614 (private attorney involvement)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XVI/part-1614) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*