Attorney General’s Office Releases Report on Veterans’ Unmet Legal Needs Across Washington

 

SEATTLE, WA – The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has released a new report detailing widespread unmet civil legal needs among veterans, service members, and their families.

The Civil Legal Needs Survey report, issued July 22 by the Office of Military and Veteran Legal Assistance (OMVLA), highlights several key legal challenges facing Washington’s military community. The findings are based on surveys of hundreds of individuals seeking services, as well as service providers across the state.

According to the report, the top three civil legal issues veterans and service members face are:

  • Applying for or appealing denials of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits,
  • Legal problems related to the end of employment, and
  • Disputes with landlords.

Service providers also expressed concern about the growing crisis of housing instability. Washington was among 22 states that saw an increase in veteran homelessness in 2024.

“Our office is calling for robust support statewide to help Washington’s veterans, service members, and their families,” said Attorney General Nick Brown, a U.S. Army veteran. “I ask that any veteran or service member who needs civil legal assistance contact my office to see how we can help.”

The report emphasizes the significant population affected. Washington is home to more than 500,000 veterans, over 65,000 active-duty service members, 17,565 National Guard and Reserve members, and roughly 2 million family members.

Despite this, the Attorney General’s Office says many legal needs within this community remain unmet. In response, the state created OMVLA in 2017 to improve access to civil legal services for veterans and service members. The office is authorized to recruit and train volunteer attorneys, maintain a registry of services, assess legal requests, and refer individuals to appropriate providers.

The full report and more information about requesting civil legal assistance are available at www.atg.wa.gov.

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