How to Apply for a Low-Income Disabled Tenant Fee Waiver

The following steps will help you apply for a low-income Disabled Tenant Rent Control fee-waiver

1. Step1: Get the Application

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   You may download an application here. You can fill the type directly on the form, but you will need to print it when you have finished. If you would rather get a paper application from us, please email us at rentcontrol@santamonica.gov or call (310) 458-8751 during business hours to request that an application be mailed to you.
   

2. Step 2: Provide Tenant Information

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   Provide contact information for the tenant and list all other people in the household 18 years of age or older. Use an additional sheet if necessary.
   

3. Step 3: Attach Proof of Disability

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   Attach at least one of the following:

   • Rent Control Disability Certificate (signed by your physician)
   • Proof of Social Security Disability Income
   • Proof of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for the blind or disabled

4. Step 4: Provide proof of income

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   Please provide all that apply:

   • A complete copy of last year’s tax return (or previous year if last year’s not filed)
   • Form SSA-1099 or SSA-2458 (SSI income)
   • Checking account statement
   • Documentation of all income not listed on return

5. Step 5: Enter income information for each member of the household

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   For all members of your household with an income we require: (1) a U.S. Individual Tax Return Form 1040 (if one was filed); and/or, (2) a Report of Confidential Social Security Benefit Information, known as Form SSA-1099 or Form SSA-2458, or a printout or bank statement showing direct deposit of benefits you or your family members receive. 

   Call the Social Security Information Teleservice Number (800) 772-1213 for forms. If they are sending you Form SSA-2458, ask them to fill in the amount of SS benefits, if any, on line 2; the amount of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), if any, on line 5; and your date of birth on line 8. 

   Finally, you may be asked for statements regarding money deposits, annuities, or investments.

6. Step 6: Estimate total value of assets

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   Do you have assets including savings accounts, IRA accounts, investments, property, etc. valued at over $100.000? If so, mark yes on the form and provide an estimated total value. If not, mark no. 
   

7. Step 7: Print the form and complete the Declaration

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   Print the application and sign the declaration affirming that all information stated on this form is true and correct with a pen. 
   

8. Step 8: Mail the completed form and supporting documents

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   Mail the completed application form and copies of all supporting documents to:

   
   Santa Monica Rent Control
   1685 Main Street, Room 202
   Santa Monica, CA 90401

   You do not need to send the form or any of the supporting documents to your landlord. 

   Rent Control Staff will reach out to you and your landlord in writing about the fee waiver and any next steps that may be required. 

Tenants can now file this form entirely online using our new CIVICS online portal! To begin, you must first set up a CIVICS user profile. You can do that by completing this simple CIVICS Request Form. Once we have received your request, we will configure an account for you. You will then receive an email with your login information and a temporary password. Please note that until you receive your login information, you will not be able to use CIVICS.