This story is part of MassLive’s ongoing housing court guide series. You can read other stories in the series here.
If you cannot afford the fees associated with going to court, you may be eligible to have them waived through an indigency waiver.
You are eligible for that waiver if you receive public assistance through certain benefit programs, you make less than 125% of the federal poverty line (in 2024, $15,060 for individuals or $31,200 for a family of four) or you cannot pay without depriving yourself or your dependents of food, shelter, clothing and other necessities.
To apply for an indigency waiver, fill out an affidavit of indigency form and mail it or bring it to the clerk’s office or apply online.
If you do not receive public assistance and do not make less than 125% of the federal poverty line, but are applying because paying the fees would be a hardship, you will also have to fill out a supplement to the affidavit of indigency form with information about your income and expenses.
Depending on the type of fee, the clerk may make the decision to waive it or you may have to go to a hearing to explain why you cannot afford the fee, and a judge will make the decision.
All forms, the online application, instructions for applying, and the eligibility requirements can be found here.
