Basic Needs

Clothing

Many organizations offer help with clothes for daily living in addition to job interviews.

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Food Banks & Meal Sites

Food banks offer food to take home and eat while meal sites provide hot meals at specific times.

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Phones and Internet

Programs helping low-income people access phone and internet service.

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Transportation

Options for transportation and reduced public transit far programs.

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Transportation FAQs

Get answers to questions about access to public transit, parking, getting to medical appointments, and car ownership.

Education & Employment

Employment Legal FAQ

Incarceration can impact your ability to get a job. Learn how to navigate challenges, find a job, and know your rights.

Places to Find Jobs

Local organizations that help people find jobs and online job boards, including those specifically for people who have been incarcerated.

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Education Programs

There are lots of organization supporting people seeking further education.

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Family & Children

Child Support FAQ

Understand what child support is, how it impacts you, and how to receive support.

Government Assistance & Financial Support

Governmental Programs

Lists of the numerous government programs that can help you with most needs including food, housing, cash assistance, and more.

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Debt & Finances

Organizations to help with credit, financial assistance, and financial education

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Healthcare & Safety

Healthcare & Insurance Guide

Learn more about insurance options during and after incarceration including Medicaid / Apple Health, Medicare, private insurance, and organizations that will help you find insurance.

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Healthcare FAQ

This extensive set of questions covers how to find, apply for, and use health insurance, including reduced fee and free options.

Mental & Behavioral Health

Numerous 24-hour hotlines for immediate support and organizations throughout Washington supporting people with mental and behavioral health services.

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Substance Use & Addiction Support

Many organizations and hotlines are available to support you with substance use problems, needle exchanges, and other addiction issues such as gambling.

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Housing

Housing Resources

Extensive resources for finding housing as a formerly incarcerated person. Includes many specific organizations providing housing in Washington, including transitional housing.

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Housing FAQ

Learn about post-release housing options, help finding and paying for housing, and your rights as a renter.f

Rent & Utility Assistance

Ways to get help with paying rent and utilities along with home weatherization, emergency repairs, and more.

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Emergency Shelters

Emergency shelters, including those available during cold weather or for specific groups including youth and domestic violence survivors.

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Identification

Driver’s Licenses Guide

Getting a driver’s license can be a critical step toward being able to get to a job, run errands, and travel.

Washington State ID Cards

A Washington State ID card is a card issued by the Department of Licensing (DOL) that serves as proof of identity. A state ID card does not authorize you to drive a car.

Social Security Cards

You will need your Social Security number to get a job, collect Social Security benefits, and access government services, but if you know the number, you do not need to show your Social Security card very often.

Birth Certificate

A birth certificate can usually help you prove your age and citizenship (if you were born in the United States), and is very useful when you are trying to get a state-issued photo ID.

U.S. Passport

Passports allow you to travel internationally. Some impacts of incarceration may impact your ability to get or use a passport.

Identity-Specific Supports

Veteran Supports

Help lines, government programs, and private organizations all exist to serve the specific needs of veterans.

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Reducing Legal Financial Obligations

If you were convicted of a crime in Washington, you may be eligible for relief from some or all of the legal financial obligations (LFOs) attached to your case(s). The amount of relief you may be eligible for depends on the type of conviction, the types of LFOs assessed, and your financial resources.

Guide to Determining Blake Eligibility

The Washington State Supreme Court’s ruling in the case State v. Blake found that the law criminalizing drug possession, RCW 69.50.4013, was unconstitutional. As a result of this ruling, any prior conviction under this law, and certain other related law, can be removed from your criminal record.

Vacating a Misdemeanor Conviction

Washington law allows for certain misdemeanor convictions to be vacated if specific criteria are met. This means that the conviction will be treated as if it never occurred.

Vacating a Felony Conviction

Washington law allows for certain felony convictions to be vacated if specific criteria are met. This means that the conviction will be treated as if it never occurred.

Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) FAQ

Legal financial obligations (LFOs) are debts related to a criminal conviction, including fines, costs and fees and restitution imposed by the court as part of a criminal sentence.

Warrants FAQ

Learn what warrants are, how they impact you, and one happens if you have one.

Occupational Guides

Medical Professional Licensing Guide

Initial Application Requirements Who/What Agency governs or oversees the profession? What are the background check requirements? Are there any convictions that will automatically disqualify me? Do Certificates of Restoration of […]

Real Estate Licensing Guide

Initial Application Requirements License Suspension/Revocation Hearing Process Is there an appeals process if I don’t agree with the final order? If so, what does that look like?

Substance Use Disorder Professionals Licensing Guide

Initial Application Requirements Who/What Agency governs or oversees the profession? What are the background check requirements? Are there any convictions that will automatically disqualify me? Do Certificates of Restoration of […]

Re-entry

Reentry Support

Organizations and programs across Washington state help people successfully return to their communities after incarceration.

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Work Release FAQ

Learn about work release eligibility, applications, and requirements.

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Guía de Recursos de Reingreso del Condado de Skagit

Descargo de Responsabilidad La información proveída por este sitio web y en los documentos enlazados no es un consejo legal. Estos documentos solo tienen el propósito de proveer información para […]

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