The Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) is an independent judicial branch agency created by the legislature in 2005 under RCW 2.53.020 to administer and oversee state funds appropriated by the Legislature to provide civil (not criminal) legal aid services to low-income people in Washington State. OCLA does not provide direct representation of clients. Instead, OCLA contracts with attorneys throughout Washington State to provide civil legal aid services. Services are currently provided within the following programs.
Core Legal Services
Core legal services are OCLA’s largest and longest-running initiative. This funding supports a coordinated network of legal aid programs that serve low-income Washingtonians across the state. Core legal services address a wide range of civil legal needs including family law, housing law, public benefits, education law, and consumer law.
Children’s Representation Program
Through a contracted panel of attorneys, the Children’s Representation Program (CRP) provides attorney representation for children and youth subject to dependency and termination proceedings in Washington State.
Family and Safety
The Office of Civil Legal Aid administers three distinct programs within its Family and Safety portfolio: Domestic Violence Legal Aid, Kinship Legal Services, and Legal Aid for Victims of Crime (VOCA). Rather than being limited to a particular area of law, these programs are designed to fund a wide range of legal services that respond to the complex and varied legal needs arising from these experiences.
Eviction Defense
The Office of Civil Legal Aid works with a network of legal aid providers to support indigent tenants in unlawful detainer (eviction) cases. In addition, pre-filing eviction defense services including outreach, legal clinics, court coordination, and full representation are provided for low-income tenants at risk of displacement or eviction.
Re-Entry Legal Services
The Re-Entry Legal Assistance Program (RLAP) provides legal services for individuals reintegrating into society after contact with the criminal legal system. Services focus on removing barriers such as prior convictions, Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs), and professional licensure issues. Support is provided through direct representation, legal advice, systemic advocacy, self-help tools, and community-based assistance events.
Foreclosure Prevention
The Foreclosure Prevention Legal Services program utilizes specially trained attorneys to provide legal advice and representation to low- and moderate-income homeowners at risk of foreclosure. Although Washington State primarily uses a nonjudicial foreclosure process, legal aid is critical for vulnerable homeowners who face judicial proceedings relating to foreclosure or related civil legal issues such as bankruptcy, probate, or divorce.
Legal Counsel for Long-Term Care
OCLA’s newest program, Legal Counsel for Long-Term Care, will bring additional protections to Medicaid recipient residents facing discharge from certain long-term care facilitates. The program aims to offer person-centered, trauma-informed legal assistance to protect vulnerable long-term care residents from unsafe or unlawful discharge.