Overpayments of assistance — Failure to withhold property of debtor.
RCW 43.20B.640
in effectIf any person, firm, corporation, association, political subdivision, or department of the state fails to answer an order to withhold and deliver within the time prescribed in RCW 43.20B.635 , or fails or refuses to deliver property pursuant to the order, or after actual notice of filing of a lien as provided for in this chapter, pays over, releases, sells, transfers, or conveys real or personal property subject to such lien to or for the benefit of the debtor or any other person, or fails or refuses to surrender upon demand property distrained under RCW 43.20B.635 , or fails or refuses to honor an assignment of wages presented by the secretary, such person, firm, corporation, association, political subdivision, or department of the state is liable to the department in an amount equal to one hundred percent of the value of the debt which is the basis of the lien, order to withhold and deliver, distraint, or assignment of wages, together with costs, interest, and reasonable attorney fees.
If any person, firm, corporation, association, political subdivision, or department of the state fails to answer an order to withhold and deliver within the time prescribed in RCW 43.20B.635 , or fails or refuses to deliver property pursuant to the order, or after actual notice of filing of a lien as provided for in this chapter, pays over, releases, sells, transfers, or conveys real or personal property subject to such lien to or for the benefit of the debtor or any other person, or fails or refuses to surrender upon demand property distrained under RCW 43.20B.635 , or fails or refuses to honor an assignment of wages presented by the secretary, such person, firm, corporation, association, political subdivision, or department of the state is liable to the department in an amount equal to one hundred percent of the value of the debt which is the basis of the lien, order to withhold and deliver, distraint, or assignment of wages, together with costs, interest, and reasonable attorney fees.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.20B&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026