Beginning January 1, 2008, people with legal problems in King County can dial 2-1-1 to receive information about and referrals to many free and low cost civil (non-criminal) legal services. The local number is (206) 461-3200, and the toll-free number is 1-877-211-WASH (9274). 211 is available to take calls Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm.
This system is significantly different from what we've had in the past. Until recently, people in King County contacted the many legal services agencies directly, often without knowing what kinds of cases they handled and what services were offered. They often made a lot of calls before they found help, and this was frustrating. 211 now provides one centralized source for legal information and referrals in King County. What's more, information about the many free and low-cost legal services available in King County has been updated to ensure accurate referrals.
Callers to 211 can expect to speak with an information and referral specialist who will collect information about the caller and his or her legal issue. If an appropriate legal resource is available, 211 will provide a referral. However, 211 specialists are not lawyers and therefore cannot provide legal advice.
211 works with a language line to provide interpreters at no cost to callers. Deaf and hearing-impaired callers can call 1-800-833-6384 or 711 to be connected to a relay operator at no cost, who will then connect them with 211.
Caller information gathered by 211 is considered confidential and will not be shared except to provide legal assistance for the caller. In cases involving domestic violence, callers are referred directly to confidential domestic violence advocacy agencies (who then make connections to legal services), and no identifying information is gathered by 211.
Click on one of the links below for a printable, public brochure on the new 211 legal referral service in King County.
(Some brochures are still in 2008 version; 2009 translations will be completed soon.)
Low-income people with legal problems outside of King County (but inside Washington State) should call the Coordinated Legal Education, Advice, and Referral Service hotline (know as CLEAR) at 1-888-201-1014 weekdays from 9:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. |
