The bankruptcy means test in the District of Columbia: what to do
Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026
In the District of Columbia:
- Median income for your household size
- 1 person: $85,391 · 2 people: $161,397 · 3 people: $161,397 · 4 people: $166,598 · each extra person: +$11,100 (yearly income; cases filed on or after April 1, 2026)
If your debts are mostly consumer debts and you file Chapter 7, you take the means test. The first step compares your household's yearly income with the median income for your state and household size: below it, you usually pass.
More about this
Above it, a longer form subtracts allowed expenses; if enough income is left over, abuse is presumed and the case may be dismissed or, with your consent, changed to Chapter 13. In Chapter 13, the same comparison sets whether the plan is usually 3 or 5 years.
General legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm.
Build your plan
Choose your state and answer 3 quick questions. The plan below changes as you answer: steps that don't fit your answers are hidden, and your state's deadlines appear. Your answers stay in the page address.
Your plan for District of Columbia
Do now
Look up your state's median income for your household size.
Median income for your household size
District of Columbia: 1 person: $85,391 · 2 people: $161,397 · 3 people: $161,397 · 4 people: $166,598 · each extra person: +$11,100 (yearly income; cases filed on or after April 1, 2026)
Why: The U.S. Trustee Program publishes the official medians, and they change from time to time; use the figures for the date you file.
For a household of 5 or more, add $11,100 for each person over 4.
Why: That is the U.S. Trustee Program's amount for each extra person.
If your debts are mostly business debts, ask a bankruptcy lawyer or legal aid how the rules apply to you.
Why: The means test is for people whose debts are mostly consumer debts.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
This week
Fill out Official Form 122A-1 to count your income the way the court does.
Why: It is the official Chapter 7 form for the first step of the means test: uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/chapter-7-statement-your-current-monthly-income-0
If your income is above the median, the longer form (Official Form 122A-2) subtracts allowed expenses.
Why: If enough income is left over ($10,275 or $17,150 over 60 months, the amounts since April 1, 2025), abuse is presumed and the case may be dismissed or, with your consent, changed to Chapter 13: uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/chapter-7-means-test-calculation-0
In Chapter 13, the same median sets the usual length of the plan.
Why: Below the median the plan is usually 3 years (the court can allow up to 5 for cause); at or above it, 5 years (Official Form 122C-1): uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/chapter-13-statement-your-current-monthly-income-and-calculation-commitment-period-0
Get free or low-cost advice from legal aid or a bankruptcy lawyer.
Why: The forms count income and expenses in detail, and we explain the rules, not which chapter fits you.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
If it's not resolved
Check the median figures again right before you file.
Why: The U.S. Trustee Program updates them from time to time; the table that applies is the one for your filing date.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
Deadlines
Median income for your household size
General rule: see state
In the District of Columbia:
1 person: $85,391 · 2 people: $161,397 · 3 people: $161,397 · 4 people: $166,598 · each extra person: +$11,100 (yearly income; cases filed on or after April 1, 2026)
Law: 11 U.S.C. 707(b)(7); U.S. Trustee Program median family income table · checked Oct 2026 · Official source
Presumed abuse (above-median income)
General rule: $10,275 or $17,150 left over in 60 months (amounts since April 1, 2025)
Chapter 13 plan length
General rule: Below the median: usually 3 years; at or above it: 5 years
Key facts for the District of Columbia
Bankruptcy Help Map
- Exemptions you use
- State or federal, your choice
- Your home (homestead)
- Unlimited: your whole interest in real property you use as your residence, or in a cooperative that owns property you or a dependent use as a residence.
- Where you file
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia
- Means test median income, 1 person
- $85,391 a year (cases filed on or after April 1, 2026)
Bankruptcy Help Map: District of Columbia · checked Oct 2026
Documents to gather
- Pay stubs and other income records for the months the form asks about
- Your recent tax returns
- Records of benefits, support or other money your household receives
- A list of the people in your household
Where to go
- FederalU.S. Trustee Program: means testing information and median income tables
The official figures and the period they apply to
- FederalThe federal bankruptcy court for where you live
Where you file; the court's rules, forms and help for filing without a lawyer
District of Columbia: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia (dcb.uscourts.gov)
- FederalU.S. Courts: Official Forms 122A-1, 122A-2 and 122C-1
To fill out the means test
- FederalLegal aid (Legal Services Corporation finder)
You need free legal help and have low or moderate income
Costs
Court filing fees: Chapter 7 is $338 ($245 filing fee + $78 administrative fee + $15 trustee fee); Chapter 13 is $313 ($235 + $78). The Chapter 7 fee can be paid in up to 4 installments within 120 days (the court can allow up to 180 days for a good reason), or waived if your income is below 150% of the poverty line and you can't pay even in installments. Credit counseling agencies may charge a reasonable fee but must give the course and certificate whether or not you can pay. Bankruptcy Help Map's tables, means test check, checklist and letter are free.
Talk to a lawyer if
- Your income is above or close to the median
- Your debts are mostly business debts
- Your income changes a lot from month to month
- You filed bankruptcy before
Free help
Free civil legal aid for people with low income: find your local program through LawHelp.org (lawhelp.org) or the Legal Services Corporation (lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/get-legal-help). Many bankruptcy courts list free help desks and volunteer lawyer programs on their websites, and Bankruptcy Help Map lists free help for each state. Court clerks can't give legal advice.
Guides for your state
Guides for every state
Questions
Median income for your household size in the District of Columbia: what is the rule?
1 person: $85,391 · 2 people: $161,397 · 3 people: $161,397 · 4 people: $166,598 · each extra person: +$11,100 (yearly income; cases filed on or after April 1, 2026) (11 U.S.C. 707(b)(7); U.S. Trustee Program median family income table)
Presumed abuse: what is the rule?
$10,275 or $17,150 left over in 60 months (amounts since April 1, 2025)
Chapter 13 plan length: what is the rule?
Below the median: usually 3 years; at or above it: 5 years
Credit counseling: what is the rule?
Within 180 days before you file
When should I talk to a lawyer?
Your income is above or close to the median; Your debts are mostly business debts; Your income changes a lot from month to month; You filed bankruptcy before.
How much does it cost?
Court filing fees: Chapter 7 is $338 ($245 filing fee + $78 administrative fee + $15 trustee fee); Chapter 13 is $313 ($235 + $78). The Chapter 7 fee can be paid in up to 4 installments within 120 days (the court can allow up to 180 days for a good reason), or waived if your income is below 150% of the poverty line and you can't pay even in installments. Credit counseling agencies may charge a reasonable fee but must give the course and certificate whether or not you can pay. Bankruptcy Help Map's tables, means test check, checklist and letter are free.
Plans by state
Open the plan with one state's rules filled in:
Sources
- 11 U.S.C. 707(b) (means test)
- 11 U.S.C. 1322(d) (plan length)
- U.S. Trustee Program: means testing
- U.S. Trustee Program: median family income table
- Judicial Conference: adjusted dollar amounts, 90 FR 8941 (Feb. 4, 2025)
- U.S. Courts: bankruptcy forms
Plan checked Oct 2026. Independently fact-checked 2026-10-25.
This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case. How we research.