Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 10 resources
Government benefits for people with criminal charges or histories
Arrested? What Happens to Your Benefits if You Go To Jail or Prison?
(Separate Website)
A Guide to Federal Rules on SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare and Veterans Benefits for Adults with Disabilities
By: Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Navigating DSHS: A Road Map to Programs and Services
(Separate Website)
A 16 page guide describing the various program available through DSHS.
By: Department of Social and Health Services
What Do I Do If DSHS Stops My Benefits Because I Am a "Fleeing Felon"?
If you are a fleeing felon, you are not eligible for many federal and state public benefits. This publication defines "feeling felon" and discusses the benefits that are affected.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
What Do I Do If Social Security Stops My Benefits Because I Am A "Fleeing Felon"?
The Social Security Administration lists three types of fleeing felons: (1) felony charges with an outstanding warrant; (2) felony conviction with an outstanding warrant, or (3) a violation of probation or parole, regardless of whether the underlying crime was a felony. This publication discusses each of these.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
What Do I Do If the Veterans Administration Stops My Benefits Because I Am a "Fugitive Felon"?
The Veterans Administration bars three types of felons from receiving VA benefits. The types are, (1) felony charges with an outstanding warrant; (2) felony conviction with an outstanding warrant, or (3) a violation of probation or parole when the underlying crime was a felony. This publication discusses each of these.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Prisoners' rights
Frequently Asked Questions about Institutionalized Persons' Rights
(Separate Website)
Frequently asked questions and answers about institutionalized persons rights, filing complaints, and the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act.
By: U.S. Department of Justice - Civil Rights Division
Prisoner's Rights - ACLU Position Paper
(Separate Website)
General information about prisoner's rights and The Prison Litigation Reform Act.
By: American Civil Liberties Union
Record expungement
Can I Clear My Criminal Record? If you have been charged with criminal violations in the past, the record of those charges may affect your ability to get work, housing, public benefits, financial aid for education, to drive or to enjoy other rights or privileges, such as voting. This memo will help you understand what rights and options you have and what procedures you must use to clear or limit access to your criminal record by others.
By: Northwest Women's Law Center
Criminal History/Records: When and How to Seal/Vacate Non-Violent Class B or C Felony Convictions This publication provides information and forms on how to vacate and seal records concerning certain non-violent Class B or C felony convictions in Washington State occurring on/after July 1, 1984. Download the pdf file to use the forms.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Victim's rights
Help for Crime Victims
(Separate Website)
Information on the Crime Victims Compensation Program, resources and forms.
By: Department L & I
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
Information, Not Legal Advice. We are providing this information as a public service. We try to make it accurate as of the date noted in the materials. Sometimes the laws change. We cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct. Most of the information provided on this web site is specific to Washington State law.
We do not intend this information to be legal advice. By providing this information, we are not acting as your lawyer. If you need legal advice, you should contact a lawyer through your local legal aid organization. Always talk to a competent lawyer, if you can, before taking legal action.
Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Alliance for Equal Justice and individuals for non-commercial use only.
Lawyer Advertising. This web site is not intended to be advertising or solicitation. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based on advertisements. Before hiring an attorney, you should investigate his or her reputation and qualifications.
Links. Some of the items listed here have not been prepared by us, but are instead "links" to information prepared and posted by others. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information posted on other sites. The links are not intended to imply that we sponsor or are affiliated or associated with the persons who created those sites, nor are the links intended to imply that we are legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, logo, legal or official seal, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in the links.
In an effort to improve this site, we would appreciate learning about your visit to Washington LawHelp. After browsing, please complete our User Survey.
Washington LawHelp is provided as a public service by the Northwest Justice Project in collaboration with other legal aid providers in the Alliance for Equal Justice and Washington courts.
(Separate Website)
