Fee Waiver Policy

Debtor presumptively lacks the ability to pay the fee if the Debtor’s household current income is less than 150 percent of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2), as adjusted from time to time, for a household or family of the size involved in the fee determination (https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines).

In other words, the client may qualify for a waiver of the session or course fee if the client’s income is below the poverty line (https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines), or a fee reduction of 50% if a client’s income is below 150% of the poverty line.

In order to issue a waiver or reduction, Alliance must receive supporting documentation of the client’s income.

Procedure:

  1. Review the stipulations, document requirements, and Current Poverty Guidelines here.
  2. Gather the required Documents.
  3. Send the Documents:
    • Include the client’s full name, email address, and phone number.
    • Email to bankruptcy@knowdebt.org
    • or Fax to 704-973-9462
    • The client will receive confirmation of receipt within 2 business days.

Stipulations:

If a client is married, but filing single, both spouse’s combined income is considered, if they are living in the same household. Criteria for possible waiver: If the client’s income is below the poverty line. Criteria for possible reduction: If client’s income is above the poverty line, but below 150% of the poverty line.

Documents: One or more of the following items will be needed. Documents submitted are subject to verification. All documents must be dated within the past 60 days, except tax documents.

If client or co-client is working:

  • Two most recent consecutive pay stubs, for each individual working in the household.
  • The first two pages of the most recent 1040-tax document, including signature page (legal documentation of guardianship for dependents may also be required).

If client or co-client is unemployed:

  • Unemployment documentation from the state employment commission.
  • The first two pages of the most recent 1040-tax document, including signature page (legal documentation of guardianship for dependents may also be required).

If receiving SSI, Disability, and/or Pension: (All pages of each document is required)

  • SS/Disability documentation from the local Social Security office, or appropriate pension documentation.
  • The first two pages of the most recent 1040-tax document, including signature page (legal documentation of guardianship for dependents may also be required).

If client is receiving any other assistance: (All pages of each document is required)
Documentation of any other government, or court-ordered assistance. Examples are: AFDC, Federal Food Assistance, child support, etc.

If self-employed:

  • A Profit and Loss statement from within the last three months.
  • The first two pages of the most recent 1040-tax document, including signature page, (legal documentation of guardianship for dependents may also be required).