Payment Waiver

Please, fill in your household size and annual income to see if you qualify for a discounted subscription.

Working Credit’s Sliding Scale and Fee Waiver Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

At Working Credit, we are able to offer a discount on our services based on a household’s income and size. Sliding scale calculations are determined by using an applicant’s total annual household income. Working Credit uses the Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine your eligibility.

How does Working Credit define a “household”?
The definition we use is issued by the federal Census Bureau and which is what federal poverty guidelines are based on: A household includes the related family members and all the unrelated people, if any, such as lodgers, foster children, wards, or employees who share the housing unit. A person living alone in a housing unit, or a group of unrelated people sharing a housing unit such as partners or roomers, is also counted as a household. The count of households excludes group quarters.
How does Working Credit define “household income”?
Household income means the combined annual earned “income” of all the occupants aged 18 and over in a given dwelling unit. The income of co-habitant partners/spouses must be included in household income. Income includes: earnings, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, public assistance, veterans' payments, survivor benefits, pension or retirement income, interest, dividends, rents, royalties, income from estates, trusts, educational assistance, alimony, child support, assistance from outside the household, and other miscellaneous sources. Noncash benefits (such as food stamps and housing subsidies) do not count as Income.
Where can I find more information about the Federal Poverty Guidelines?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issues the Guidelines on an annual basis. You can find more information here: https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines
Why does Working Credit have a sliding scale and fee waiver policy?
The mission of Working Credit NFP is to partner with individuals and communities to interrupt structural racism by providing credit building education, one-on-one counseling, and access to the products necessary to thrive financially. No individual seeking assistance from Working Credit will be denied service based on inability to pay.
Does Working Credit include anything but my household size and income?
No. As described above, using household size and income, this policy relies on Federal Poverty Guidelines as the basis for determining eligibility. Working Credit does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s race, color, sex, national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Do I need to show proof of my household size or income?

Applicants may be asked to provide one of the following documents to determine eligibility. Such proof may include any of the following:

  • A W2 from the prior year
  • Two most recent pay stubs
  • A letter from employer

If you are self-employed, we may ask you to submit detail of the most recent three months of income for your business. This may include, but is not limited to:

  • A spreadsheet/ledger
  • Business bank statements
  • Documentation from an accounting software program
How will I know if I qualify for Working Credit’s sliding scale and how much it will be, or if I qualify for a fee waiver?
If you are applying online, once you enter your household size and income information you will automatically be taken straight to a landing page where you can pay the right amount for you through a PayPal link. If you are applying manually, you can request a paper application and return it by emailing program@workingcredit.org or mailing a request to Working Credit, 111 W. Washington Street, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60602. We will let you know by email or regular mail and help you to either (a) set up payment via PayPal (available through Working Credit’s website), (b) set up payment via payroll deduction through your employer if applicable, or (c) work with you to arrange for payment by check.
What if I just want to learn more about Working Credit’s sliding scale?
Please email us at program@workingcredit.org to obtain more information about the sliding scale itself!