More than 80,000 veterans in Washington state live below 200% of the poverty line. They need and deserve access to no-cost legal representation and advice. Physical and mental health harms suffered during service must be recognized and treated. Housing secured. Full benefits paid. Too often, they are not. The results can be tragic.
Northwest Justice Project (NJP) established a dedicated Veterans Unit in 2009. What started as two attorneys and one part-time legal assistant has tripled in size. Entering 2025, we are gearing up for even greater impact, with a seventh attorney based in Spokane joining the team.
Decades after a Navy veteran faced anti-gay discrimination and was discharged from service, NJP helped him secure a 70% PTSD disability rating, dramatically increasing his monthly income. He is now securely housed and enrolled in job training through FareStart.
NJP is the state's only dedicated civil legal aid program offering comprehensive legal services specifically designed for low-income and at-risk veterans. Our specialized team maintains cutting-edge expertise in veterans’ law and provides culturally competent services that recognize the unique experiences of those who have served, while also building partnerships with invaluable social service providers.
With NJP’s help, a disabled veteran living in his vehicle was able to resolve a driver's license suspension and gain connection to housing assistance through Catholic Community Services: Supportive Services for Veteran Families.
This work is made possible through our dedicated funding partners, including the Osborne Family Foundation and the May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, and other public and private funders. Without their support, thousands of veterans would be deprived of justice in matters impacting health, housing, family and survival itself.
NJP’s Veterans Unit members work out of King, Pierce, Kitsap, Mason, Lewis and Thurston County, with Spokane County coming on board. They coordinate with our other 14 field offices to reach traditionally underserved populations, including rural communities, Native American veterans, veterans of color, women, and LGBTQ+ veterans.
After experiencing sexual assault and retaliation in the Marine Corps, a female veteran worked with NJP to secure an 80% VA disability rating and over $40,000 in back pay, enabling her to become debt-free and pursue higher education with plans to become a lawyer.
Many vulnerable veterans cannot or will not seek legal aid through traditional channels. Therefore, NJP’s approach combines specialized legal expertise with strong community-based partnerships to help those who are most in need of legal aid.
“Veterans must constantly fight Veterans Affairs. Who is on their side? I had medical conditions sustained while serving our country. Without legal representation, I was lost in the system. NJP helped me save my house. When all was said and done, I donated to NJP—an amount based on an angel number.”
— Veteran and NJP client
Standing together with our partners and funders, NJP looks forward ensuring that more Washington veterans can access legal assistance to secure benefits, maintain housing stability, and overcome other civil legal challenges, restoring veterans’ dignity and well-being.