These guidelines may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis based on the individual’s specific need or hardship.

To be eligible for representation, the individual:

1. Cannot own or have an interest in any real estate of any kind;

2. Must not have realized a profit on the sale of any real estate in the past year;

3. Cannot have more than $2,000 in cash or cash equivalents, in any type of account, bank or institution, including retirement accounts. (Excludes social security benefits);

4. Total value of all other assets, (excluding cash or cash equivalents) cannot exceed $10,000;

5. Household income should not exceed the below poverty guidelines, which are used by the Court to determine filing fee waiver applications. See below.

NB: Use net income after taxes and payroll deductions for estimated monthly income.

Monthly Income Limits – Used for Court fee waiver eligibility (150% of HHS Poverty Guidelines 2026)

Persons in Household Monthly Income

1 $1,995.00

2 $2,705.00

3 $3,415.00

4 $4,125.00

5 $4,835.00

6 $5,545.00

Income Levels for Veterans & Servicemembers 

Beginning October of 2015, MDRF’s eligibility guidelines have been expanded so that the income limits for veterans, national guardsmen and members of the military is limited by 200% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines. This increase is over the 150% limit relied on by the Bankruptcy Court in granting fee waivers, so clients accepted with income over 150% will be responsible for the $338 court filing fee and the cost of the two required bankruptcy courses, which generally cost between $15-50 per course. However, qualifying clients will not be charged a legal fee.

(200% of HHS Poverty Guidelines 2026)

Persons in Household Monthly Income

1 $2,660.00

2 $3,606.67

3 $4,553.33

4 $5,500.00

5 $6,446.67

6 $7,393.33