Overpayments and debts due the department — Time limit — Write-offs and compromises — Waivers.
RCW 43.20B.030
in effect(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, including subsection (2) of this section, there will be no collection of overpayments and other debts due the department after the expiration of six years from the date of notice of such overpayment or other debt unless the department has commenced recovery action in a court of law or unless an administrative remedy authorized by statute is in place. However, any amount due in a case thus extended shall cease to be a debt due the department at the expiration of 10 years from the date of the notice of the overpayment or other debt unless a court-ordered remedy would be in effect for a longer period. (2) There will be no collection of debts due the department after the expiration of 20 years from the date a lien is recorded pursuant to RCW 43.20B.080 . (3) The department, at any time, may accept offers of compromise of disputed claims or may grant partial or total write-off of any debt due the department if it is no longer cost-effective to pursue. The department shall adopt rules establishing the considerations to be made in the granting or denial of a partial or total write-off of debts. (4) Notwithstanding the requirements of RCW 43.20B.630 , 43.20B.635 , 43.20B.640 , and 43.20B.645 , the department may waive all efforts to collect overpayments from a client when the department determines that the elements of equitable estoppel as set forth in WAC 388-02-0495, as it existed on January 1, 2012, are met. (5) Beginning July 1, 2025, the department may waive all efforts to collect unintentional overpayments of the aged, blind, or disabled assistance program under RCW 74.62.030 and to functionally disabled clients receiving services and supports provided under chapters 74.39 , 74.39A and 71A.12 RCW. The department shall adopt rules establishing the circumstances when the department will waive efforts at collection.
(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, including subsection (2) of this section, there will be no collection of overpayments and other debts due the department after the expiration of six years from the date of notice of such overpayment or other debt unless the department has commenced recovery action in a court of law or unless an administrative remedy authorized by statute is in place. However, any amount due in a case thus extended shall cease to be a debt due the department at the expiration of 10 years from the date of the notice of the overpayment or other debt unless a court-ordered remedy would be in effect for a longer period.
(2) There will be no collection of debts due the department after the expiration of 20 years from the date a lien is recorded pursuant to RCW 43.20B.080 .
(3) The department, at any time, may accept offers of compromise of disputed claims or may grant partial or total write-off of any debt due the department if it is no longer cost-effective to pursue. The department shall adopt rules establishing the considerations to be made in the granting or denial of a partial or total write-off of debts.
(4) Notwithstanding the requirements of RCW 43.20B.630 , 43.20B.635 , 43.20B.640 , and 43.20B.645 , the department may waive all efforts to collect overpayments from a client when the department determines that the elements of equitable estoppel as set forth in WAC 388-02-0495, as it existed on January 1, 2012, are met.
(5) Beginning July 1, 2025, the department may waive all efforts to collect unintentional overpayments of the aged, blind, or disabled assistance program under RCW 74.62.030 and to functionally disabled clients receiving services and supports provided under chapters 74.39 , 74.39A and 71A.12 RCW. The department shall adopt rules establishing the circumstances when the department will waive efforts at collection.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.20B&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026