My client can't pay the $10 fee

The local SOS office will waive the fee for a State ID card if you are 65 or older, are blind,  or have a disability that prevents you from driving.    The SOS will also waive the fee for "good cause'.   The SOS says that anyone who can show they receive State Disability Assistance or Family Independence Program benefits has good cause.  The SOS requires proof the Department of Human Services showing that your client is a current recipient of one of these programs. To see the SOS policy about the fee waiver click here.

If your client does not receive these kinds of benefits, but still cannot pay the fee, your client can ask the SOS to waive the fee for “good cause”. The local office cannot grant this kind of waiver.  The request will be sent to Lansing. It may take a week or two to get a decision. Your client will have to bring proof of your income and expenses to show that he or she cannot afford the fee. If your client receives Food Assistance benefits, he or she may be able to use the paper from the Department of Human Services that states the amount of their current Food Assistance benefits (food stamps). That paper shows how much total income (gross income) DHS has decided your client has.  This paper is mailed to your client.  A paper showing the Food Assistance budget is also available to your client from www.mich.gov/mibridges

You or your client  can get a form on this website that  can be used to request a waiver of the fee. You can find the form and print it out by clicking here.