Free language assistance is available. For assistance, please call ☎ 311 (Outside SF 415.701.2311; Teletypewriter 415.701.2323). A 311 staff member can provide more information.
On this page
- About the Hearing Payment Waiver
- How much can the fine be lowered if I lose my hearing?
- Public Benefit Waiver Instructions
- Low-Income Waiver Instructions
- Can I receive the discount and not proceed with a hearing?
About the Payment Waiver
If you qualify as low-income or receive a pubic benefit type listed below, the SFMTA can waive the fine amount to have a Hearing (Level 2 Protest).
Important
If the hearing decision is not in your favor, you will owe the fine amount. However, the fine amount will be updated to reflect a discount.
Public Benefits Types
To qualify as a public benefits recipient, you must be getting benefits from at least one of the following:
- Medi-Cal or California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card
- Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program
- SFMTA Lifeline card (Temporary Lifeline card not accepted)
- If you are experiencing homelessness and have visited a Coordinated Entry Point in the past 6 months, SFMTA will verify your eligibility with Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) using the form titled “People Experiencing Homelessness Discounts”. This form is being updated now.
go to Public Benefits Instructions
Low-Income Requirement
To qualify as low-income, your household income must be under a certain amount.
The amount depends on how many people live in your home.
Here are the income limits:
- 1 person: $39,125 or less
- 2 people: $52,875 or less
- 3 people: $66,625 or less
- 4 people: $80,375 or less
- 5 people: $94,125 or less
- 6 people: $107,875 or less
- 7 people: $121,625 or less
- 8 people: $135,375 or less
If more than 8 people live in your home, add $13,750 for each extra person.
Example: If you have 9 people in your home, the limit is $149,125.
What if I qualify for both?
You may qualify for both benefits but you must choose only one. You can choose the benefit that is more advantageous for you in the event that the hearing decision is not in your favor.
How much can the fine be lowered if I lose my hearing?
The table below shows how much a speeding ticket can be if you qualify as low-income or a public benefits recipient. For example, if the car was 11-15 MPH over the speed limit and you receive Public Benefits the speeding ticket amount changes from $50 to $10. That is a discount of $40.
| Speed | Original Amount | Updated Amount - Low-Income See Requirements |
Updated Amount - Public Benefits See Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-15 MPH over posted speed limit | $50 | $25 | $10 |
| 16-25 MPH over posted speed limit | $100 | $50 | $20 |
| 26+ MPH over posted speed limit | $200 | $100 | $40 |
| Any vehicle traveling 100 MPH or more | $500 | $250 | $100 |
Public Benefits Instructions
You can apply to get the public benefit discount through our online form or by visiting the customer service center. Public Benefits Discount: Pay only one-fifth of the amount — an 80% reduction.
Apply Online (Recommended)
The easiest way to apply for the public benefit discount is to use our online form. Please follow these instructions:
- Visit the public benefits / community service online form.
- Click on Speeding Ticket Low Income Reduction.
- Fill in the rest of the form including proof that you receive public benefits.
We will review your application and get back to you within 3 business days.
Apply In-Person
Download the Speeding Ticket Low-Income Discount Form:
Speeding Ticket Low-Income Discount Form - English
Speeding Ticket Low-Income Discount Form - Español
Speeding Ticket Low-Income Discount Form - Filipino
Speeding Ticket Low-Income Discount Form - 中文
If you have proof of your public benefit choose Option 1 in Step 2.
If you do not have proof of your public benefit choose Option 2 in Step 2. You need to take your form to Human Services Agency for verification before submitting. If you qualify, the Human Services Agency staff will stamp the form.
If you chose Option 1 in Step 2, bring the Speeding Ticket, the filled out form and your benefits card to the SFMTA Customer Service Center.
If you chose Option 2 in Step 2, bring the Speeding Ticket, the filled out form with Page 2 stamped by the Human Services Agency (HSA) to the SFMTA Customer Service Center.
The SFMTA Customer Service Center is located at:
11 S. Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94103
Low-Income Instructions
Public Benefits Discount: Pay only half of the amount — a 50% reduction.
Download the Speeding Ticket Low-Income Discount Form:
Speeding Ticket Low-Income Discount Form - English
Speeding Ticket Low-Income Discount Form - Español
Speeding Ticket Low-Income Discount Form - Filipino
Speeding Ticket Low-Income Discount Form - 中文
In Step 2 of the form, choose Option 3.
Bring the filled out form and proof of your income to the Human Services Agency at:
170 Otis Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
If you qualify, the Human Services Agency will stamp the form.
Submit the Discount Form In-Person
Bring the Speeding Ticket, the filled out form with Page 3 stamped by the Human Services Agency (HSA) to the SFMTA Customer Service Center is located at:
11 S. Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94103
Can I receive the discount and not proceed with a hearing?
Yes. If you receive a pubic benefit type listed above or qualify as low-income the SFMTA can apply a discount. You may qualify for both benefits and you can choose the benefit that is more advantageous for you.
To apply for the discount follow either of these instructions: