GCP Filing Fee Guide

Government Claims Program's forms for filing a fee waiver or requesting a reduced fee in place of the $25 filing has changed as of June 2024. This guide is an informational page with explanation on how to file the form as well as how to calculate the new reduced fee.

Filing Fee Requirement

A $25 filing fee is required for all claims submitted to the GCP. The fee was established by the Legislature in the Budget Act of 2004 to provide funds to support the program. In some circumstances when a claim is awarded, the $25 filing fee will be refunded to the claimant by the paying agency.

Claimants should send the filing fee along with the Government Claim Form.

 

Fee Waiver or Fee Reduction Request Requirements 

Filing for a Fee Waiver

Fee Waiver Claimants who are unable to pay the $25 filing fee may apply to have the fee waived. To request a fee waiver, you must fill out the Fee Waiver or Fee Reduction Request form.

Inmates in correctional facilities who wish to request a fee waiver must also use the form, attach a certified copy of their trust account balance, and provide their inmate identification number.

  • Persons who are receiving benefits pursuant to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State Supplemental Payments (SSP) programs (Section 12200 to 12205, inclusive, of the Welfare and Institutions Code), the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act (CalWORKs) program (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code), the Food Stamp program (7 U.S.C. Sec. 2011 et seq.), or Section17000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
  • Persons whose monthly income is 125 percent or less of the current monthly poverty line.
  • Persons who are sentenced to imprisonment in a state prison or confined in a county jail, or who are residents in a state institution and, within 90 days prior to the date the claim is filed, have a balance of $100 or less credited to the inmate's or resident's trust account. A certified copy of the statement of the account shall be submitted.

Filing for a Reduced Filing Fee 

In 2024 the California legislature passed a new law that allows people with specific household incomes to apply to have the filing fee reduced below $25 for claims against the State of California.  Please see the instructions below to determine if you qualify for the reduced filing fee.

Calculating the Reduced Fee:

Subtract the Maximum Monthly Household Income in the table below from your total household income.  If this number is greater than $100, you do not qualify for a reduced filing fee or fee waiver.  If this number is greater than $0 and less than $100, multiply it by (0.25) to calculate your reduced fee amount.

 

Number of Household Members
Maximum Monthly Household Income

1

$1,569.00

2

$2,129.00

3

$2,690.00

4

$3,250.00

5

$3,810.00

6 or More

$4,371.00

For each additional household member beyond 6, add $560.00 to the maximum monthly household income

Reduced Filing Fee for Inmates

If you are an inmate and your trust account has more than $100, but less than $200, you may pay a reduced filing fee. Your trust account information must be dated within 90 days prior to the date the claim is filed.

The reduced filing fee for inmates is calculated as 25% of the difference between $100 and the amount in your trust account.

Example: If you have $150 in your Trust Account

$150 - $100 = $50
$50 x 0.25 = 12.5

The reduced filing fee is $12.50

The Fee Waiver or Fee Reduction Request Form can be found here.