Links to external organizations are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI).
General Money Help
- Washington 211: call or text 211 for free, confidential help with housing, food, utilities, and money assistance near you.
- Local asset building coalitions: connect with resources in your community.
- Low-cost bank accounts: find affordable checking and savings through Bank On Washington.
- Bank account problems: learn your rights and get federal help at HelpWithMyBank.gov.
- Credit union problems: get help with a federally insured credit union from the NCUA.
- Insurance: help and information from the Washington Insurance Commissioner.
- Complaints about a financial services provider: report a problem to DFI.
Bankruptcy and Debt
- Credit and debt counseling: find a nonprofit counselor through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
- Medical debt: know your rights on medical bills at Washington Law Help.
- About debt collectors: learn what collectors can and can't do.
- Bankruptcy credit counseling: find a court-approved agency for required counseling and debtor education through the U.S. Trustee Program.
Housing and Foreclosure
- First-time home buyer programs and classes: take free classes and find programs through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
- Housing assistance programs: find programs from the Washington Department of Commerce.
- Foreclosure counseling and help: get counseling from the Washington Homeownership Resource Center.
- Housing counseling agencies: find approved agencies through HUD.
- Renters' rights: learn your rights as a renter at Washington Law Help.
- Energy bill help: apply for assistance and avoid shutoff through the Washington Department of Commerce.
Investing and Retirement
- Investing basics: learn how investing works and spot fraud at Investor.gov.
- Social Security and retirement: find information from the Social Security Administration.
- Washington Saves Retirement Plan: learn about Washington Saves, coming in 2027.
- Find a financial planner: find a certified planner through the CFP Board.
Education and Student Loans
- Student loan help: get questions answered by the Washington Student Loan Advocate.
- Federal student aid: find loans, repayment, and forgiveness at StudentAid.gov.
- WA529 College Savings and Prepaid tuition: save in low-cost investments and pre-pay for college costs with WA529.
- Dual credits program for education: learn how to earn high school and college credit simultaneously through OSPI.
Work and Income
- Unemployment benefits: file weekly claims through the Employment Security Department.
- Job search help: search for jobs, get career coaching, and access free employment services through WorkSource WA.
- Money after a job loss: handle your finances and find help from DFI.
Emergencies and Disasters
- Disaster assistance: apply for help and recovery resources at FEMA.
- State disaster recovery: find state resources from the Washington Emergency Management Division.
- Financial help after a disaster: get steps for replacing documents and handling lenders from DFI.
Taxes and Credits
- Free tax preparation: get your taxes done for free in-person, if you qualify, through VITA.
- Tax help for older adults: get free preparation from AARP Tax-Aide.
- Working Families Tax Credit: see if you qualify for money at WorkingFamiliesCredit.wa.gov.
- Earned Income Tax Credit: check whether you qualify at IRS.gov.
Scams and Fraud
- Identity theft: get a step-by-step recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.
- Data breaches: learn what to do next from the Washington Attorney General.
- Reporting fraud: file a complaint with DFI.
- Elder financial abuse: learn how to spot, stop, and report it from DFI.
- Credit freeze and fraud alerts: learn how to set one up from the Washington Attorney General.
- License check of professionals: confirm a company or professional is licensed with DFI.
Benefits and Assistance
- Washington Connection: apply for many programs in one place through Washington Connection.
- Washington Healthplanfinder: shop for and sign up for medical insurance, and see if you qualify for Apple Health.
- Medicare help: get free, unbiased counseling from SHIBA.
- Veterans benefits: find benefits and services through the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Military families: get free money counseling from Military OneSource.
- Free legal help: get civil legal aid, if you qualify, from the Northwest Justice Project.