Any patient or responsible person may apply to the secretary of social services for permission to pay less than the applicable charge. On receipt of such application, the secretary shall request an investigation, to determine the ability of the patient or responsible person to pay all or a part of the applicable charge. Consideration in such determination shall be given to the following factors, and such other factors as the secretary shall agree are reasonable: net income, net worth, number of dependents, and existing obligations.
SDCL 27A-13-9