Basic Needs
Clothing
Many organizations offer help with clothes for daily living in addition to job interviews.
Food Banks & Meal Sites
Food banks offer food to take home and eat while meal sites provide hot meals at specific times.
Phones and Internet
Programs helping low-income people access phone and internet service.
Transportation
Options for transportation and reduced public transit far programs.
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.
Education Programs
There are lots of organization supporting people seeking further education.
Family & Children
Child Support FAQ
Understand what child support is, how it impacts you, and how to receive support.
Custody, Visitation, and Parental Rights FAQ
Learn about how courts make custody and visitation decisions, how to access your parental rights, and gaining legal 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.
Government Programs FAQs
Learn about how to navigate getting help with medical, food, and housing supports.
Debt & Finances
Organizations to help with credit, financial assistance, and financial education
Debt & Finances FAQs
Learn about managing debt and checking and repairing your credit.
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.
Healthcare FAQ
This extensive set of questions covers how to find, apply for, and use health insurance, including reduced fee and free options.
Medical Providers (Clinics, Vision, Dental)
Many organizations provide free and reduced-fee medical services.
Disability Resources
Organizations specifically helping people with disabilities.
Domestic Violence (DV) and Sexual Exploitation
Two sites to help you find organizations helping survivors of domestic violence.
Mental & Behavioral Health
Numerous 24-hour hotlines for immediate support and organizations throughout Washington supporting people with mental and behavioral health services.
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.
Housing
Housing Resources
Extensive resources for finding housing as a formerly incarcerated person. Includes many specific organizations providing housing in Washington, including transitional housing.
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.
Emergency Shelters
Emergency shelters, including those available during cold weather or for specific groups including youth and domestic violence survivors.
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
American Indian/Alaska Native Resources
Many tribes, organizations, and Washington state offer programs supporting Native American and Alaska Native populations.
Veteran Supports
Help lines, government programs, and private organizations all exist to serve the specific needs of veterans.
Legal Support
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.
Free/Low Cost Support for Vacating Records
Multiple organizations can help you vacate your record when eligible. (See our other guides for determining eligibility.)
Restorative Justice & Conflict Resolution
Organizations helping people with restorative justice, conflict resolution, victim support, and other similar support for people.
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
Education Certification Guide
(“Common”/Public Schools ONLY)
Initial Application Requirements License Suspension/Revocation Hearing Process
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Licensing Guide
Initial Application Requirements License Suspension/Revocation How to Prepare for a Hearing
Hairdresser/Cosmetologist Licensing Guide
Initial Application Requirements License Suspension/Revocation Hearing Process
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?
Private Investigator Licensing Guide
Initial Application Requirements License Suspension/Revocation Hearing Process What is the range of sanctions?
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.
Work Release FAQ
Learn about work release eligibility, applications, and requirements.
Restoring Your Right to Vote FAQ
Determine if you’re eligible to vote and how to restore your voting rights if eligible.
Spanish
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 […]