How to Obtain a Financial Hardship Waiver

 Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 1.09.070(a) allows any person who intends to request a review of the administrative citation to contest that there was a violation of the Code, that he or she is the responsible party, or that he or she is financially unable to make the advance deposit of the fine as required in Section 1.09.050.  He or she may file a request for an advance deposit hardship waiver.   


For Sidewalk Vendors Only - Pursuant to Senate Bill No. 946, as codified at Government Code Section 51039(f), you have the right to request an ability-to-pay determination. Ability-to-pay requests must be filed with the City of Santa Monica Finance Department. A sidewalk vendor who is issued an administrative fine may request an Ability-to-Pay Determination at adjudication or while the judgement remains unpaid, including when a case is delinquent or has been referred to a comprehensive collection program. 


Instructions for submitting the Advanced Deposit Hardship Waiver & Ability-to-Pay Determination Form are as follows: 

Continue the Process:

Email

  1. Download the Request Form

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    Download the Advance Deposit Hardship Waiver Ability to Pay Determination Form here. Finance Department must receive the form within fifteen days of the citation date. This does not apply to Sidewalk Vendor citations. 

  2. Gather Supporting Income Documentation

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    Examples of acceptable documentation include the following: 

    • Federal Tax Return 
    • IRS Form 1722 -Verification of Non-filing 
    • Verification of Social Security or Supplemental Security Income Benefits  
    • Notice of Action-General Assistance or Temporary Aid for Needy Families 
    • Notice of Unemployment Award  

  3. Submit the Form and Supporting Income Documentation

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    Submit your request to Billing.Collections@santamonica.gov with Subject:  Hardship Waiver/Ability-to-Pay

Mail

  1. Download the Request Form

    + -

    Download the Advance Deposit Hardship Waiver Ability to Pay Determination Form here. Finance Department must receive the form within fifteen days of the citation date. This does not apply to Sidewalk Vendor citations. 

  2. Gather Supporting Income Documentation

    + -

    Examples of acceptable documentation include the following: 

    • Federal Tax Return 
    • IRS Form 1722 -Verification of Non-filing 
    • Verification of Social Security or Supplemental Security Income Benefits  
    • Notice of Action-General Assistance or Temporary Aid for Needy Families 
    • Notice of Unemployment Award  

  3. Submit the Form and Supporting Income Documentation

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    Consider mailing options to ensure timely submission 

       City of Santa Monica  

       Revenue Division

       City Hall East

       1685 Main Street

       Santa Monica, CA 90401 


       Data Ticket 

       C/O Citation Processing Center 

       P.O. Box 7275 

       Newport Beach, CA 92658 


    Please refer to your citation for payment methods. 

In-Person

  1. Download the Request Form

    + -

    Download the Advance Deposit Hardship Waiver Ability to Pay Determination Form here. Finance Department must receive the form within fifteen days of the citation date. This does not apply to Sidewalk Vendor citations. 

  2. Gather Supporting Income Documentation

    + -

    Examples of acceptable documentation include the following: 

    • Federal Tax Return 
    • IRS Form 1722 -Verification of Non-filing 
    • Verification of Social Security or Supplemental Security Income Benefits  
    • Notice of Action-General Assistance or Temporary Aid for Needy Families 
    • Notice of Unemployment Award  

  3. Submit the Form and Supporting Income Documentation

    + -

    City of Santa Monica Finance Revenue Division

    City Hall East

    1685 Main Street

    Santa Monica, CA 90401

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