43.20B.620 - Overpayments of assistance -- Lien against recipient's property -- Recovery methods.

Overpayments of assistance — Lien against recipient's property — Recovery methods.

Overpayments of public assistance or food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically under RCW 74.04.300 shall become a lien against the real and personal property of the recipient from the time of filing by the department with the county auditor of the county in which the recipient resides or owns property, and the lien claim has preference over the claims of all unsecured creditors.

     Debts due the state for overpayments of public assistance or food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically may be recovered by the state by deduction from the subsequent assistance payments to such persons, lien and foreclosure, or order to withhold and deliver, or may be recovered by civil action.

[1998 c 79 § 4; 1987 c 75 § 43.]