The Great Seal of the State of CaliforniaSuperior Court of California - Small Claims Court

INFORMATION SHEET ON WAIVER OF COURT FEES AND COSTS 

(California Rules of Court, rule 985)
If you have been sued or if you wish to sue somebody, and if you cannot afford to pay court fees and costs, you may not have to pay if:
1. You are receiving financial assistance under one or more of the following programs:
  • SSI and SSP (Supplemental Security Income and State Supplemental Payments Programs)
  • CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act, implementing TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; formerly AFDC,  Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program.)
  • The Food Stamps Program
  • County Relief, General Relief (G.R.) or General Assistance (G.A.)
If you are claiming eligibility for a waiver of court fees and costs because you receive financial assistance under one or more of these programs, and you did not provide your Medi-Cal number or your social security number and birthdate, you must produce documentation confirming benefits from a public assistance agency or one the following documents, unless you are a defendant in an unlawful detainer action:
PROGRAM VERIFICATION
SSI/SSP MediCal Card or
Notice of Planned Action or
SSI Computer-Generated Printout or
Bank Statement Showing SSI Deposit or
Bank Statement Showing SSI Deposit or
"Passport to Services"
CalWORKs/TANF (formerly known as AFDC) Medi-Cal Card or
Notice of Action or
Income and Eligibility Verification Form or
Monthly Reporting Form or
Electronic Benefit Transfer Card or
"Passport to Services"
Food Stamp Program Notice of Action or
Food Stamp ID Card or
"Passport to Services"
General Relief/General Assistance Notice of Action or
Copy of check stub or 
County voucher

-OR-
2. Your total gross monthly household income is less than the following amounts:
Number in Family Family Income
1 $ 894.79
2 1,209.38
3 1,523.96
4 1,838.54
5 2,153.13
Number in Family Family Income
6 $  2,467.71
7    2,782.29
8    3,096.88
Each  Additional      314.58
-OR-
3. Your income is not enough to pay for the common necessaries of life for yourself and the people you support and also to pay court fees and costs.

To apply, fill our the Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs (Form982(a)(17) available from the clerk's ofice.  If you claim no income, you may be required to file a declaration under penalty of perjury.  Prison and jail inmates may be required to pay up to the full amount of the filing fee.

If you have any questions and cannot afford an attorney, you may wish to consult the legal aid office, legal services office, or lawyer referral service in your county (listed in the yellow pages under "Attorneys").

 
If you are asking for review of the decision of an administrative body under Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.5 (administrative mandate), you may ask for a transcript of the administrative proceedings at the expense of the administrative body.

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