Financial Affidavit With No Income Template for the United States

When you need to formally declare that you have no income for legal or administrative purposes, an affidavit of no income (also called a no income affidavit or zero income statement) provides the required sworn documentation. This document is your official statement under penalty of perjury that you currently receive no regular income from employment, business activity, investments, benefits or any other source. Courts, government agencies and program offices across the United States rely on these affidavits to decide questions about your financial capacity and your eligibility for programs, waivers or legal remedies.

What is an affidavit of no income?

It is a signed, usually notarized statement in which you swear you have zero income. It sets out your assets, your regular living expenses, and how those expenses are met when nothing is coming in. Because it is signed under oath, it carries the same weight as sworn testimony, and it is often filed alongside supporting pages such as bank statements, benefit letters, or a tax non-filer notice.

When do you need this document?

You'll typically need this affidavit in the following situations:

• Filing for bankruptcy protection and showing your inability to pay debts or court fees.
• Divorce, alimony, child support or custody matters where a court sets support based on your means.
• Requesting a court fee waiver based on hardship.
• Confirming eligibility for public assistance such as Medicaid, food assistance or housing support.
• Qualifying for free or reduced-cost legal services from a legal aid office.
• Applying for educational aid or defending against debt collection where your financial status affects the outcome.

What should a no income affidavit include?

A complete affidavit of no income usually covers:

• Your full legal name, home address, email and contact details.
• A clear statement that you currently receive no income from any source.
• A full list of your assets, including bank accounts, vehicles and real estate.
• Your monthly living expenses and how they are paid.
• The sources of support you rely on, such as family, friends or charitable help.
• Any recent income or changes in circumstances that a reviewer should know about.
• The under-penalty-of-perjury declaration, your signature, the date, and a notary block where one is required.

How do you complete and sign it?

Fill in each section accurately, since the statement is made under oath. Sign in the place indicated, and where your state or the receiving office requires notarization, sign in front of a notary who will witness and stamp the document. You can then save and download the finished PDF to file with the court or submit to the agency that requested it. You can browse other sworn forms under the affidavit templates collection, or use a related statutory declaration template where a sworn declaration is the better fit.

Do I need to prove zero income?

Often yes. The office reviewing your affidavit may ask for records that back up your statement, such as recent bank pages, a benefits award letter, a signed statement from whoever supports you, or a tax non-filer notice showing you did not file a return. Keep copies of anything you rely on so you can provide it if asked. A notary may also issue a certificate confirming they witnessed your signature, which some agencies keep on file with your affidavit.

How do you create and use this affidavit

To create the document, fill in your details, review each condition, and confirm that every statement is accurate before you sign. Whoever supports you may need to give their consent to be named as a source of support, and any third party details should only be shared where the receiving office genuinely needs them. GenieAI handles your information under its privacy policy, so your financial and personal data stays protected while you draft, review and download your copy.

A worked example

Say Maria lost her part-time work in early 2026 and now lives with her sister, who covers rent and groceries. Her affidavit would state her full name and home address, confirm she receives no income from employment, benefits, business or investments, list her only assets (a checking account with $180 and a 2011 car), record monthly living expenses of roughly $650 met entirely by her sister, and name her sister as the sole source of support. She signs under penalty of perjury in front of a notary and attaches a bank statement and a tax non-filer notice as supporting documentation.

Key legal considerations

The most important feature of this affidavit is its sworn nature under penalty of perjury, which makes a false statement a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 1621. You must disclose all assets even when income is zero, so the reviewer understands your full picture. Explain clearly how you meet basic living costs without income, whether through support from family, friends, charitable organizations or the liquidation of savings. Disclose any recent income or change in circumstances, because your history may be examined. Proper notarization is commonly needed to validate the document.

Legal requirements in the United States

Federal law under 28 U.S.C. 1746 permits an unsworn declaration under penalty of perjury, though many courts still ask for a traditional notarized affidavit. Each state sets its own format, mandatory disclosures and filing steps. Bankruptcy filings must follow the federal Bankruptcy Code, including detailed asset schedules and expense statements. Family law matters follow individual state statutes that dictate the information to provide, how often to update it, and how it is verified. State perjury statutes add penalties beyond federal law, and local court rules may specify particular forms, deadlines and supporting documentation for your jurisdiction.