Office of Public Guardianship

About Us

History

The Office of Public Guardianship (OPG) was created by the legislature in 2007 because Washington state had no guardianship program for those who could not afford a legal decision-maker. The OPG remained a pilot program for 12 years and originally served clients in only five (5) counties, but expanded to include additional counties in 2009, 2010, and 2011. In 2019, the legislature established the OPG as a permanent program with services available statewide and also expanded the OPG's authority to allow access to less restrictive alternatives (LRAs).

The OPG contracts with Certified Professional Guardians and Conservators (CPGCs) statewide to provide decision-making assistance to low-income individuals with no one else to care for them. OPG provides legal decision-makers for individuals with diminished capacity and in need of guardianship and/or conservatorship services. We also provide less restrictive alternatives to guardianship for individuals capable of executing a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) or Supported Decision-Making Agreement (SDMA).

Benefits of Decision-Making Assistance

The work of public guardians/agents results in both non-monetary and monetary benefits. Non-monetary benefits include improved functioning and social connections. These result from establishing long-term care services, improving food security or sanitation, preventing or stopping abuse, neglect or exploitation, and reconnecting vulnerable adults with family and friends. Monetary benefits include reducing public costs through strategic use of benefits, such as resolving or mitigating legal issues, recovery of financial assets, lowering health care costs by focusing on preventive care and reducing emergency room visits, and moving vulnerable adults from acute care/psychiatric hospitals to less restrictive (and less costly) residential settings.

By providing decision-making assistance, the OPG helps to improve the lives of marginalized groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, low-income individuals, and those experiencing homelessness. A decision-maker can help reduce many barriers for these individuals and help them access healthcare, safe housing, and public services that are necessary to live successfully in the least restrictive environment that is appropriate for that individual. Accessing these vital services for the most vulnerable population helps preserve their autonomy and provides them the protection they need when they cannot protect themselves from personal and/or financial harm.

Eligibility Criteria for Public Decision-Making Services

Individuals in need of decision-making assistance services may qualify if they:

• Are 18 years or older; and
• Have an income that does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level (for 2025, $31,300.00 annually or $2,608.33 monthly); OR
• Are admitted to an acute care hospital, psychiatric hospital, or state psychiatric hospital and have an income that does not exceed 400 percent of the federal poverty level (for 2025, $62,600.00 annually or $5,216.67 monthly); OR
• Are receiving or are eligible to receive long-term care services through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS); and
• There is no one else qualified, willing, and able to serve.

Priority is given to individuals who satisfy the above requirements and who are:

• Indigent/Homeless;
• Hospitalized and medically ready for discharge, or will soon be medically ready for discharge;
• At significant risk of harm from abuse, exploitation, abandonment, neglect, or self-neglect; or
• In imminent danger of loss or significant reduction in public services that are necessary to live successfully in the most integrated and least restrictive environment that is appropriate for a specific individual.

OPG Brochure