LA County Health Services (DHS) Financial Assistance: Income Limits and How to Apply (2026)

LA County Health Services (DHS) offers 100% free care to patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $66,000 a year for a family of four). Here is who qualifies, what you need, and how to apply.

Updated July 2026

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LA County Health Services (DHS) Income Limits for Free Care

Your eligibility is based on household income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level. Free care applies at or below 200% FPL.

Household size	Free care if income is at or below (200% FPL)
1 person	$31,920
2 people	$43,280
3 people	$54,640
4 people	$66,000
5 people	$77,360
6 people	$88,720

Income figures use 2026 Federal Poverty Level guidelines and are rounded. Actual eligibility depends on the hospital's review of your application.

What LA County Health Services (DHS) Offers

Free care

100% of the bill at or below 200% FPL. Households with income at or under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level pay $0 (charity care) for all medically necessary inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services under the Ability to Pay (ATP) program; assets and resources are not counted in the determination.

Uninsured discount

No separate flat self-pay percentage discount; uninsured patients are screened into ATP (free at/under 200% FPL, sliding-scale above with liability capped at Medicare/Medi-Cal rates). Out-of-county uninsured use the Discount Payment Program, capped at 95% of charges / Medi-Cal rate.

Hardship / catastrophic

ATP has no upper income cap for discounted care. Uninsured, underinsured, and insured patients with high out-of-pocket medical costs above 200% FPL receive a sliding-scale discount where the patient's liability can never exceed what Medicare or Medi-Cal would pay for the same service, effectively capping catastrophic bills.

How to Apply for LA County Health Services (DHS) Financial Assistance

1
Request an itemized bill
Ask for a fully itemized bill so you can confirm every charge before you apply or pay.
2
Gather your documents
Collect proof of income, proof of household size.
3
Submit the LA County Health Services (DHS) application
Declaration of income is acceptable; income verification (paystubs or tax returns) is NOT required at application for ATP and is only requested if additional documentation is needed to support the application, limited to a 6-month lookback. Assets/resources (bank accounts, real property) are not counted. Patients with Restricted (Limited Scope) Medi-Cal with no share of cost are presumptively/automatically enrolled in ATP without signing an agreement. The out-of-county SSDPP additionally requires identity and address verification.
4
Ask for a billing hold
Request a hold on collections activity while your application is reviewed, so the account does not advance.
5
Get the decision in writing
Keep the approval or denial in writing. If you are denied, you can appeal or request an interest-free payment plan. In California, you can also ask for the decision to be reviewed by the hospital's business manager, CFO, or other designated manager (Health and Safety Code 127405), not just the billing clerk.

What you will need

Proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax return, or benefit award letters)
Proof of household size (tax return listing dependents, or similar)

Deadline: confirm with the FA office.

Residency: ATP is for LA County residents (including patients transitioning to LA County residency and unhoused persons who usually reside in and spend most of their time in LA County). Out-of-county patients use the Discount Payment Program (DPP), available up to 400% FPL. Emergency services are covered for all patients regardless of residency..

Citizenship: not required.

Before you pay, know this

Applying for financial assistance does not affect your credit.
Many hospitals grant presumptive eligibility if you already receive Medicaid, SNAP, or similar programs, which can speed approval.
You can often apply even after a bill goes to collections, and assistance is frequently applied retroactively. Do not assume it is too late.
If you are denied, you can appeal or ask for an interest-free payment plan.

Not sure you qualify? You may still be able to save.

Charity care is only one way to lower a hospital bill. CareRoute Bill Defense works every angle on your LA County Health Services (DHS) bill: billing errors, insurance underpayments and denied claims, financial assistance, and direct negotiation with the hospital. So even if you do not qualify for free care, there is often money to save. You pay nothing upfront and only a fraction of what we save you (capped at $1,000). If we cannot lower your bill, you owe nothing.

Get help with your bill

California also has medical-bill protections that may help beyond LA County Health Services (DHS)'s own program, such as limits on collections, credit reporting, and wage garnishment.

See all California medical bill rights

Frequently Asked Questions

Does LA County Health Services (DHS) offer financial assistance or charity care?

Yes. LA County Health Services (DHS) provides 100% free care to patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Uninsured patients also receive no separate flat self-pay percentage discount; uninsured patients are screened into ATP (free at/under 200% FPL, sliding-scale above with liability capped at Medicare/Medi-Cal rates). Out-of-county uninsured use the Discount Payment Program, capped at 95% of charges / Medi-Cal rate.

What is the income limit for free care at LA County Health Services (DHS)?

Free care is available at or below 200% FPL. For a family of four in 2026 that is about $66,000 per year. See the income table above for other household sizes.

How do I apply for LA County Health Services (DHS) financial assistance?

Request an itemized bill, gather your income documents and a photo ID, then submit the hospital's financial assistance application. Declaration of income is acceptable; income verification (paystubs or tax returns) is NOT required at application for ATP and is only requested if additional documentation is needed to support the application, limited to a 6-month lookback. Assets/resources (bank accounts, real property) are not counted. Patients with Restricted (Limited Scope) Medi-Cal with no share of cost are presumptively/automatically enrolled in ATP without signing an agreement. The out-of-county SSDPP additionally requires identity and address verification. Ask the billing or financial counseling office about the deadline to apply.

Can insured patients qualify for financial assistance at LA County Health Services (DHS)?

Yes. The balance left after your insurance pays can still qualify for charity care or a discount if you meet the income limits above. One California-specific catch: state law (the Hospital Fair Pricing Act) also requires insured patients to have "high medical costs," defined as out-of-pocket medical costs above 10% of your family income. Uninsured patients qualify on income alone.

Does LA County Health Services (DHS) help uninsured patients?

Yes. Uninsured patients can apply for charity care, and LA County Health Services (DHS) also offers no separate flat self-pay percentage discount; uninsured patients are screened into ATP (free at/under 200% FPL, sliding-scale above with liability capped at Medicare/Medi-Cal rates). Out-of-county uninsured use the Discount Payment Program, capped at 95% of charges / Medi-Cal rate. Uninsured patients often have the most to gain, since the full charge is on the table.

What if my bill is unaffordable even above the income limit?

LA County Health Services (DHS) has a hardship provision. ATP has no upper income cap for discounted care. Uninsured, underinsured, and insured patients with high out-of-pocket medical costs above 200% FPL receive a sliding-scale discount where the patient's liability can never exceed what Medicare or Medi-Cal would pay for the same service, effectively capping catastrophic bills. It is worth applying even if your income is above the free-care line.

Can I apply for LA County Health Services (DHS) financial assistance if my bill is already in collections?

You can usually still apply even after a bill goes to collections, and hospitals often apply approved assistance retroactively to recent accounts. Applying can also pause collection activity while the hospital reviews your case.

Will applying for financial assistance affect my credit?

No. Applying for hospital financial assistance is not a credit check and does not affect your credit score. Getting a bill reduced or covered actually helps you avoid the collections and credit damage that come from an unpaid balance.

Does LA County Health Services (DHS) require US citizenship or residency?

No. LA County Health Services (DHS) does not require US citizenship, and immigration status does not bar eligibility. Residency note: ATP is for LA County residents (including patients transitioning to LA County residency and unhoused persons who usually reside in and spend most of their time in LA County). Out-of-county patients use the Discount Payment Program (DPP), available up to 400% FPL. Emergency services are covered for all patients regardless of residency.

Can CareRoute help with a LA County Health Services (DHS) bill?

Yes. CareRoute Bill Defense looks at every way to lower your bill, not just charity care: billing errors, insurance underpayments and denied claims, financial assistance, and direct negotiation. You pay nothing upfront and only a fraction of what we save you (capped at $1,000), with no fee at all if we cannot reduce your bill.

Sources and verification. Last verified July 2026, based on LA County Health Services (DHS)'s published financial assistance policy (official policy). How we research these guides.

Eligibility details may change. This page is informational and not financial or legal advice. Confirm current terms with LA County Health Services (DHS)'s financial assistance office before applying.