Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund

Funder: Legal Foundation of Washington (in partnership with state and community organizations)

Geographic Scope: Washington State

Target Population: Immigrants ineligible for federal stimulus funds or unemployment benefits due to immigration status

Focus Areas: Economic relief for immigrants impacted by COVID-19

Award Amount:

• $1,000 direct payments per individual
• Up to $3,000 per household

In 2020, LFW partnered with immigrant-led community organizations, the Governor's office, and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to establish the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund. The fund provided more than $60 million in economic relief to approximately 250,000 individuals and families who were excluded from federal relief due to their immigration status.

Rationale: This program addressed the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on immigrant communities and the exclusion of an estimated 250,000 people in Washington from federal relief.

Management Structure:
LFW's role included:

• Serving as the fund's fiscal agent
• Administrative management
• Contract management and technical assistance
• Ensuring overall goals were met

11 immigrant-led organizations managed criteria, reviewed applications, distributed funds, and maintained data security:

• Asian Counseling and Referral Service
• Colectiva Legal del Pueblo
• Fair Work Center
• Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
• Nuestra Casa
• OneAmerica
• Raíz of Planned Parenthood
• Scholarship Junkies
• Washington Census Alliance
• Washington Dream Coalition
• Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network

The coalition included more than 400 organizations across the state.

Additional Information:

• Fiscal agent: Seattle Credit Union
• Application Status: CLOSED as of 2026

Learn More: immigrantreliefwa.org

Contact Information:

• Legal Foundation of Washington
• 500 Union St, Suite 1025
• Seattle, WA 98101
• Phone: (206) 624-2536
• Fax: (206) 382-3396

Background: LFW has a core commitment to supporting immigrant communities. In 2020, LFW granted nearly $5 million to organizations providing legal aid and advocacy for immigrants.