Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.640
Indigent tenants.
Operative Text
(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the court must appoint an attorney for an indigent tenant in an unlawful detainer proceeding under this chapter and chapters 59.12 and 59.20 RCW. The office of civil legal aid is responsible for implementation of this subsection as provided in RCW 2.53.050 , and the state shall pay the costs of legal services provided by an attorney appointed pursuant to this subsection. In implementing this section, the office of civil legal aid shall assign priority to providing legal representation to indigent tenants in those counties in which the most evictions occur and to indigent tenants who are disproportionately at risk of eviction. (2) For purposes of this section, "indigent" means any person who, at any stage of a court proceeding, is: (a) Receiving one of the following types of public assistance: Temporary assistance for needy families, aged, blind, or disabled assistance benefits, medical care services under RCW 74.09.035 , pregnant women assistance benefits, poverty-related veterans' benefits, food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically, refugee resettlement benefits, medicaid, or supplemental security income; or (b) Receiving an annual income, after taxes, of 200 percent or less of the current federally established poverty level.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.640, Washington state law provides that indigent tenants facing eviction proceedings have the right to a court-appointed attorney, funded by the state through the Office of Civil Legal Aid, subject to available appropriations. The law defines 'indigent' as someone receiving certain public benefits or earning no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level after taxes. The Office of Civil Legal Aid is directed to prioritize representation in counties with the highest eviction rates and for tenants who are disproportionately at risk of eviction.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 59.18.640, landlords initiating unlawful detainer proceedings should be aware that qualifying low-income tenants may be appointed state-funded legal counsel through the Office of Civil Legal Aid. Compliant operators typically account for the possibility of represented opposing parties when preparing eviction filings and documentation. Understanding that tenants meeting the income or public-benefits thresholds defined in this provision may have legal representation can inform how landlords approach procedural requirements in eviction cases.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 59.18.640 of the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act establishes a right to a court-appointed, state-funded attorney for tenants who qualify as indigent in unlawful detainer (eviction) proceedings. Tenants who receive qualifying public benefits—such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or TANF—or whose after-tax income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level may be eligible for this representation. Tenants facing eviction can inquire about this right with the court, contact the Office of Civil Legal Aid, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to learn more about how this provision may apply.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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