Northwest Consumer Law Center

06/14/2025

🏥 Did you know nearly HALF of all Washingtonians qualify for free or reduced-cost hospital care under our state’s Charity Care laws? Even if you have insurance?

If you’re uninsured, underinsured, or struggling with medical bills — you may be eligible for financial assistance covering hospital bills. Learn more below and check out the State Attorney General's website for more information about Charity Care (including a calculator to see if you're eligible): https://www.atg.wa.gov/charitycare

06/13/2025

⚖️ Access to Justice, Regardless of Income

At NWCLC, we believe that justice shouldn’t depend on the size of your wallet. Every day, we hear from people in Washington State facing overwhelming debt, predatory lending, and housing instability — and too often, we’re the only place they can turn.

We are Washington State’s only legal organization focused solely on consumer rights, and for many of our clients, we are their last line of defense.

But we can’t continue this work without you.

💡 Your donation directly supports legal assistance for people who would otherwise face these battles alone.

With your help, we can keep fighting back against injustice, one case at a time.

👉 Donate today: https://secure.nwclc.org/np/clients/nwclc/donation.jsp

06/12/2025

NWCLC collaborated with National Consumer Law Center and National Association of Consumer Advocates to file an amicus brief in support of a consumer protection case at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging a lower court ruling that allows companies to make misleading marketing claims if they include a boilerplate disclaimer.

The case involves a senior who purchased a KitchenAid service plan based on a letter promising full coverage. When her dishwasher broke, the company denied repairs, offered a minimal payout instead, and canceled her plan—citing terms never mentioned in the marketing.

The brief argues that the lower court’s decision undermines Washington’s Consumer Protection Act by letting companies hide key limitations in fine print. It urges the Ninth Circuit to protect consumers’ right to rely on marketing promises. Learn more at: https://nwclc.org/nwclc-submits-amicus-brief-supporting-truth-in-consumer-marketing/

06/11/2025

🎉 Happy Birthday, Leigh! 🎉

Today, we’re celebrating the incredible Leigh Schott, our amazing legal assistant and the first voice most people hear when they reach out to NWCLC. Leigh is truly on the frontlines—helping every person who reaches out to us for help with care, compassion, and a commitment to connecting our community with access to justice.

Your dedication, empathy, and organizational superpowers are what keep NWCLC running smoothly every single day. We truly couldn’t do this work without you!

06/10/2025

📣 We’re excited to announce that our intake for new debt defense case is now REOPENED at Northwest Consumer Law Center!

If you're struggling with debt, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to face it without support. We provide free or low-cost legal help to low income Washington residents dealing with:

🔹 Medical debt
🔹 Rental debt & eviction-related debt
🔹 Credit card debt
🔹 Personal loans

Whether you’re being harassed by collectors, sued in court, or just overwhelmed and need help figuring out your options — our team is here to fight for your rights.

🗓️ Reach out today to see if you qualify: https://nwclc.org/apply-for-help/

06/09/2025

🎬 We’re thrilled to share that TOW premiered yesterday at the film festival— and it’s a moment of immense pride for us at Northwest Consumer Law Center!

This powerful film tells the real-life story of our former client Amanda, whose strength, resilience, and courage are at the heart of the narrative. We're equally proud to see the advocacy of former NWCLC staff attorney Kevin Eggers featured in the film, as he continues to be a voice for economic justice. Congratulations to Amanda and Kevin!

Learn more: https://www.tribecafilm.com/films/tow-2025

05/21/2025

🎉 Victory for Washington Consumers! 🎉

Yesterday, the Last Dollar Protection Act was signed into law by — making Washington one of the top states in the nation for automatic bank account protections. 💪🏽🏦

This new law ensures that money families need for rent, childcare, healthcare, and other basic needs is automatically protected in bank accounts when families face garnishment — helping keep low-income households out of poverty.

👏 A huge THANK YOU to our prime sponsor Senator Emily Alvarado for her leadership on this important issue.

We couldn't have done this without all of our supporters who wrote their lawmakers and our amazing partner organizations including Statewide Poverty Action Network and WSAJ who made this possible!

05/20/2025

📢 We're Improving Access to Justice – Online! 💻⚖️

Over the past few weeks, we've been hard at work revamping our online intake process to better serve Washington consumers. 🚀

We're excited to share that intake for new potential bankruptcy client is now OPEN! If you're seeking help with a bankruptcy matter, you can start the process online today at: https://nwclc.org/apply-for-help/

We appreciate your patience as we work toward reopening our full intake line — we’re on track to have it fully operational within the next month. Stay tuned for updates!

05/19/2025

🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Leadership & Dedication! 🎉

Please join us in congratulating Amanda Martin, our incredible Executive Director, on her 10-year anniversary with the Northwest Consumer Law Center!

Amanda’s journey with NWCLC began as our very first law clerk in 2013, and after officially joining our staff as an attorney in 2015, over the past decade, her passion, vision, and unwavering commitment to consumer justice have helped shape us into the organization we are today. 💼⚖️

04/26/2025

💸 Why are we tipping banks now?

If you’ve ever used an Earned Wage Advance app, you’ve probably seen the “optional tip” screen. But here’s the thing — you shouldn't have to tip a financial institution just to access money YOU’VE ALREADY EARNED.

These companies make it confusing and guilt-ridden to skip the tip. Tiny buttons, passive-aggressive messages, and hiding the "no tip" option? That’s not optional — that’s pushing you towards a tip to a financial institution.

Let’s be clear:
✔️ You’re not tipping an employee, just the business's bottom line.
✔️ You’re not paying for a service that went above and beyond.
✔️ You’re just trying to access your own paycheck, often when you need it most.

These “tips” help them dodge regulations around interest and fees — while making you feel bad for not paying more. It’s payday loan tactics with a friendlier face.

Check out this great video from our colleagues at National Consumer Law Center showing just how difficult it is to opt out of those "optional" tips.

This is "EarnIn Advance Without a Tip" by National Consumer Law Center on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

04/25/2025

📣 HUGE WIN for Washingtonians! On Tuesday, Governor Ferguson officially signed SB 5480 into law, banning the reporting of medical debt on credit reports in our state! 🩺💳❌

This game-changing legislation, championed by our friends at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, will protect those most vulnerable from the lasting and unnecessary harm of medical debt—because no one should have their credit ruined just for getting the care they need.

We're incredibly proud to have supported this crucial bill this session and to stand with so many who are fighting for fairness and dignity in our financial systems.

Washington State continues to lead the way. Let’s keep going.

04/24/2025

🚨 Big News! 🚨
We’re thrilled to share that Tow, a powerful new film based on a former NWCLC client’s real-life fight for justice, has been officially selected for the ! 🎬🌟

TOW tells the inspiring story of Amanda Ogle, an unhoused woman whose car—her home—was wrongfully towed. With the fierce advocacy of former NWCLC Staff Attorney Kevin Eggers, Amanda takes on a predatory towing company in a courageous battle to reclaim her dignity and her future.

This is more than a film—it’s a testament to the strength of one woman’s fight, and the impact of legal advocacy in the face of injustice.

We couldn’t be prouder to see Amanda’s story—and the work of NWCLC—recognized on such a big stage, showcasing the struggle for economic justice that the communities we serve face every day.