Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for contacting the Governor's Office. Please see the FAQ below for answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Budget – state budgets, budget highlights, temporary layoff

• Where do I find information on Washington state budgets?
  • Office of Financial Management budget page
  • Washington State Fiscal Information

Business – starting, growing, registration, taxes, licenses & permits

• Where do I find help for my business or information on starting a business in Washington?
• Where do I find data and information about the business climate and key industries in Washington?
• Where do I find help to start exporting my company's products or services?

Complaints – abuse, citizen complaint, consumer complaint, discrimination, whistleblower

• Report abuse
  • How do I report child abuse & neglect?
  • How do I report elder abuse?
  • How do I file a complaint against an assisted living facility?
  • How do I file a complaint against a child care facility?
• Complaint and fraud overview
  • How do I report fraud or file a complaint?
• Consumer protection
  • Where do I find consumer protection information?
  • Where can I check to see if a business is registered and in good standing?
• Discrimination complaints
  • I feel that I have been discriminated against. How do I report this?
• Legal complaints
  • How do I file a complaint against an attorney?
  • How do I file a complaint against a judge? The Governor cannot intervene in court cases, nor can he overturn the ruling of a judge.
• Local government complaints
  • How do I get help for a local police department, county sheriff, or other city or county employee/agency issue?
    • The Governor does not have oversight authority over city and county agencies, including local law enforcement. Please contact your local City or County government officials.
      • Complaints involving a prosecuting attorney should be directed to the Washington State Bar Association.
      • Complaints involving local law enforcement should be directed to the local police chief or county sheriff and to the mayor, city council and/or county commissioners.
      • Complaints involving schools should be directed to your local school district and OSPI. If you have already contacted your local school district and OSPI and were unsuccessful in resolving your issue, contact the Office of the Education Ombuds.
• State government complaints
  • How do I file a complaint against a state agency or employee?
    • Each agency has an internal process for filing complaints against an employee. Find agency websites here.
    • If you are having difficulties working with state agencies on issues pertaining to child abuse, child neglect or child protection, contact the Office of the Family and Children's Ombuds.
    • If you disagree with an agency decision, learn more about the agency's internal review process. If the agency review does not reverse the decision, you may pursue an appeal.
      • Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals
      • Board of Tax Appeals
      • Environmental Hearings Office
      • Growth Management Hearings Board
      • Office of Administrative Hearings
    • If you are having difficulties working with an agency and seek help from the Governor, learn whether his staff can connect you with the appropriate agency staff. The Governor cannot change eligibility rules or overturn an appeals decision.
      *Please note: Due to HIPAA regulations, state agencies cannot discuss open claims/cases with a third party.
  • Where do I find more information on the state employee whistleblower program?
  • As a citizen, how do I report fraud in a state agency?

Disabilities – employment, rights, resources

• Where do I find information on resources for individuals with disabilities?
• I have a disability and feel that I have been discriminated against. How do I report this?
• Where do I find more information about the Mental Health Ombuds?
• My child has autism. Where do I find more information?

Education – early education, K-12 schools, disabilities and Individualized Education Plans, higher education

• Where do I find information on education in Washington?
• My child has a disability. Where do I find information on his/her educational rights? (PDF)
• I suspect my young child has a disability or developmental delay. What should I do?

Emergency management and public safety – preparedness, natural disasters, public health

• Where can I find information about Ebola?
• Where do I find information on preparedness and natural disasters?
• Where do I find information on public health and safety?

Employment and economy – jobs, training, unemployment, workers compensation, economic recovery, financial education

• Where do I find information on finding a job, training and unemployment?
  • Where do I find information for individuals with disabilities?
  • I qualify for unemployment. Where do I find information about the Training Benefits Program?
• Where do I find information about workers' compensation?
• Where do I find financial education resources?
  • Where do I find financial education classes/workshops in my community?
• Do I qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit?

Environment and natural resources – conservation, permits, salmon, state lands, landowners, resources

• Where do I find information on environmental and natural resource issues?

Government – budget, elections/voting, local, federal & state government, state laws

• Federal government
  • How do I seek help for a federal government issue?
    • The Governor does not have jurisdiction over federal issues. Please contact your federal elected officials for assistance.
      • Immigration – For information on immigration, naturalization, legal permanent residence and U.S. citizenship, please contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
      • Medicare - Please contact Medicare.
      • Social Security - Please contact the U.S. Social Security Administration.
      • Passports – For information on U.S. passports or to check on a pending application, please contact the U.S. Department of State.
• Local government
  • How do I get help for a local police department, county sheriff, or other city or county employee/agency matter?
    • The Governor does not have oversight authority over city and county agencies, including local law enforcement. Please contact your local City or County government officials.
• State government
  • Where do I find information on state government services?
  • Where do I find information on government accountability?
  • Where do I find information on elections and voting?
  • Where do I find information on the Governor's salary?
  • Where do I find information on the Washington State Constitution and state laws and rules?

Health Care – health care reform, private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, other

• Where can I find more information about health care reform and new coverage options?
  • Office of the Insurance Commissioner federal health reform page
• Where do I find information about Washington Health Benefit Exchange?
• How do I apply for insurance through the exchange?
• Where do I find information on state medical and mental health services?
• Where do I find information on Medicare?

Immigration – citizenship, immigration reform, legal permanent residence, state driver's licenses

• Immigration is a federal issue, and the Governor has no jurisdiction over federal matters. Please contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you are having difficulties with USCIS or would like to share your opinion on federal immigration reform, please contact your federal elected officials.
• For concerns about access to state driver's licenses, please contact your state legislators here.

Insurance – auto, health, homeowner, life, long-term care, other

• Where do I find information about insurance options, regulations and filing a complaint?
• Where do I find information about industrial insurance?

Legal – child support, custody, divorce, legal help, pardon and clemency, prisons

• How do I get help with child support?
• How do I get help with a child custody case, divorce or other personal legal matter?
  • The Governor's Office does not have the authority to intervene on behalf of private citizens in child custody or other private legal matters. We can best serve you by suggesting you may want to contact a private attorney for legal advice and assistance.
  • For information on help with visitation, contact Dispute Resolution Centers (PDF).
  • If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be able to find assistance through Northwest Justice Project's CLEAR at 1-888-201-1014, WIN 211 (dial 2-1-1 or www.win211.org) or www.WashingtonLawHelp.org.
• What services are available for victims and witnesses?
  • Crime Victims Service Center Program (PDF)
  • Crime Victims Compensation Program
  • Victim/Witness Notification Program
• How do I request a pardon, clemency or restoration of rights?

Office of the Governor requests – flag, photo, student info, scout troops, invite the Governor to an event

• How do I request a Washington state flag?
  • Due to budget restrictions, we do not provide flags free of charge. You may order one through the Office of the Secretary of State.
• How do I request a photo of the Governor?
  • Due to budget restrictions, our office is no longer providing photos of the Governor. A digital copy is available.
• Where do I find information for a student project?
• How do I invite the Governor to an event?
• How do I request a scouting recognition for my son or daughter?
  • Our office provides congratulatory letters for in-state scouts only.  To receive a letter, please submit a written request with the scout's name, scouting rank, and address.

Social & Community Services – food assistance, housing, health care, child care assistance, other

• Where do I find information about the social service programs available in Washington?
• What resources are available for housing?
• Where do I find foreclosure help?
  • DFI foreclosure help page
  • Department of Commerce Foreclosure Mediation Program
  • HUD approved housing counseling agencies
• Where do I find help paying my utility bills?
• What services are available for victims and witnesses?
  • Crime Victims Service Center Program (PDF)
  • Crime Victims Compensation Program
  • Victim/Witness Notification Program  
• What non-state resources are available in my community?
• Where do I find a list of child care providers in my area?
• Where can I find a local food bank?

Travel – passports, enhanced license/ID, tourism

• Where do I find information on U.S. passports?
  • For information on U.S. passports or to check on a pending application, please contact the U.S. Department of State.
• Where do I find information about an enhanced driver's license or ID?
• Where do I find information on tourism in Washington?
  • Experience WA - Washington state tourism
  • Access WA visiting and recreation page

• Where do I find information about state transportation projects?
• Where do I find information about tolling?
• Where do I find information about ferries?
• Where do I find information about public transportation options?
• Where do I find information about driver's and vehicle licenses?

Veterans – benefits, resources, services

• Where do find information veterans benefits and services?

If you didn't find what you were looking for, please click here to send a message to the Governor.