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Public Benefits, Social Security, Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury for Alabama
Q: How to fill out fee exemption form without household income information.
I am currently on probation and need to fill out a form for fee exemption. The form asks for the "guideline amount for household," but I am unsure how to answer this. My living situation is complicated; I live with a former partner due to my house burning down at the end of 2022, which left me severely injured and unable to work. He does not support me financially, and I am awaiting my SSDI hearing in August. My lung condition, resulting from the accident, severely limits my ability to breathe, and I am struggling financially. Could you advise on how I should fill out the form given these circumstances?
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James L. Arrasmith
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A:
Given your situation, you can complete the fee exemption form by focusing on your *own* income and financial condition, not your former partner’s. If he doesn’t support you financially and you aren’t sharing expenses in a formal way, you can list your household size as one—you. Under income, you can write “\$0” if you currently have no income, and make a clear note that you are awaiting an SSDI decision and have no earnings due to your disability.
In the section asking about the “guideline amount for household,” the form usually wants to know the government’s income threshold for someone in your situation. If the form includes a chart, use the number listed for a one-person household. You can also include a short written explanation of your circumstances: mention your injuries, the loss of your home, your pending SSDI hearing, and the fact that you do not receive support from the person you live with.
You’re not alone in this, and it’s okay to be honest. The most important thing is to be clear and consistent. If there’s a space for additional comments or a letter attachment, use it to explain that your living arrangement is temporary and out of necessity, not financial dependence. Being upfront about your hardships can help the court understand why the exemption is necessary.
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