Guides & Resources – Civil Survival

Basic Needs

Food Banks & Meal Sites

Many food banks and meal sites have changed their hours or format during the pandemic. Call ahead or check their websites to ensure you can still access their services. Food […]

Transportation

What is public transportation and how do I use it? Public transportation (i.e. buses, trains, etc.) is generally the most affordable way to get around. Most public transit is run […]

Phones and Internet

Lifeline Phones Washington households that are at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible to receive a free smartphone with a text, talk, and data plan. Washington […]

Education & Employment

Places to Find Jobs

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

Employment Legal FAQ

Information adapted from the Washington Appleseed Reentry Guide. Will my conviction impact my ability to work at some jobs? To find out whether your offense will or may disqualify you […]

Family & Children

Child Support

What is child support? Child support is money that a non-custodial parent (a parent that the child does not live with most of the time) pays to the custodial parent […]

Government Assistance & Finances

Governmental Programs

Note that for some programs, if you receive one you are not eligible for others. In addition, your immigration status may impact your eligibility for certain benefits. You also may […]

Debt & Finances

More information about debt and re-entry can be found in the Washington Re-Entry Guide. What should I do when I am first released to manage my debt? Once you are […]

Healthcare & Safety

Mental & Behavioral Health

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

Domestic Violence (DV) and Sexual Exploitation

People experiencing domestic violence or sexual exploitation are at higher risk of stalking or monitoring with their technology. Review these tech safety tips from TechSafety.org and take care when visiting […]

Medical Providers (Clinics, Vision, Dental)

It can be hard finding medical providers that meet your needs and accept your insurance.

Healthcare & Insurance

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

Housing

Housing Resources

General Housing Resources Learn More About Housing Dealing with Landlords Templates of letters to a landlord explaining criminal background, evictions, and/or poor credit. Tips for Writing a Letter of Explanation […]

Identification

Identification documents are documents that prove your identity and other important things about you. State-issued photo identification cards, Social Security cards, birth or marriage certificates, and educational credentials are all examples of identification documents. These documents are often necessary to secure housing, open a bank account, find a job, and obtain necessary health benefits. Your identification documents may have expired while you were incarcerated or been lost during the criminal justice process, or you may not have had them when you first entered the system.

U.S. Passport

This page is pulled from the Washington Appleseed Reentry Guide. The process of applying for a Passport is complicated and you will need to provide a lot of supporting documentation […]

Social Security Cards

The primary use of your Social Security Card is to tell you your Social Security number. Social Security numbers are issued by the federal government to every citizen, and every […]

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 […]

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 […]

Driver’s Licenses Guide

Quoted sections are based on the Washington Appleseed Reentry Guide and updated where necessary. Getting your driver’s license “Six months prior to your release from a facility, you should be […]

Legal Support

Free/Low Cost Support for Vacating Records

Multiple Counties CLEAR Line – Northwest Justice Project CLEAR Hotline: 1-888-201-1014 Serves all counties in Washington. Legal hotline for people who are low income. Persons seeking legal help outside King […]

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. The information […]

Warrants FAQ

What is a warrant? A warrant is a court order allowing the police to arrest a person. If you have outstanding warrants, you can be arrested at any time. Warrants […]

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. If you […]

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. If you […]

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 […]

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