Purpose & Mission
Language Access and Interpreter Reimbursement Program (LAIRP) is a state funded program that provides reimbursement to Washington state trial courts for interpreter services and language access related expenses.
Our mission is to ensure equitable language access in the courts for Limited English proficient, deaf, and deaf blind individuals in accordance with RCW Chapters 2.42External link - opens in a new window and 2.43External link - opens in a new window. Through collaboration and partnership with courts, LAIRP promotes access to justice for all court users.
LAIRP Application Portal
LAIRP provides courts with a centralized platform to manage reimbursement activities and access program resources. Courts can use the LAIRP Application Portal to:
- Enter reimbursement claims and submit invoices
- Access CSV template
- Search for interpreters
- Check invoices deadlines
- View training webinars
- Review reimbursement eligibility flowchart
- Learn more about the program
(RACF ID required)
The AOC Interpreter Reimbursement Program was established in Fiscal Year 2008 to provide partial reimbursement for the cost interpreter services in Washington state courts. Since then, the demand for court interpreter services has increased significantly.
In response, the Board for Judicial Administration formed the Interpreter Services Funding Task Force in 2017 to assess statewide interpreter service needs and develop a sustainable funding strategy. With the support of the Task Force, the program successfully secured additional funding through the 2019-21 legislative budget request, allowing more courts to participate in the program.
By 2022, the program was renamed the Language Access and Interpreter Reimbursement Program to reflect the broader scope of language access services eligible for reimbursement. Over the years, the program has experienced substantial growth with additional participants, expanded language access, and continued increase in interpreter services across the state.
To sustain the program, a new budget request was submitted during the 2025 Legislative session, and the Legislature appropriated additional funds to support the ongoing expansion of the program.
Any trial court in WA can join the program, but there are specific requirements in place to receive reimbursement:
- Execute Interagency Agreement
- Submit Language Access Plan for review and approval
- Submit quarterly A-19 invoices via the LAIRP Application Portal *
* Users need to be logged in to Inside Courts with their RACF ID, and must be connected to their court's Virtual Private Network (VPN), if working remotely. The application can be launched using the Chrome, Edge, or Firefox browser. The application will not work in Internet Explorer.
Reimbursement is provided for the following three categories:
- Interpreter Services
- Staff Interpreter
- Goods and Services
To learn more about the requirements, reimbursement categories, and reimbursement process and eligibility, visit the LAIRP Application Portal.
LAIRP allocates funds to each participating court at the beginning of every fiscal year. Courts are divided into two categories for the purpose of budget allocation: returning courts that have been actively participating in the program, and new courts joining for the first time.
The budget for returning courts is based on actual invoices submitted and approved in previous years. For new courts, the initial budget is determined by several data points, such as total population in the county or city, the percentage of LEP population, and caseloads.
During the fiscal year, LAIRP initiates Revenue Sharing in order to ensure optimal budget allocation among participating courts. During this process, courts’ allocated budgets may be adjusted based on actual invoices submitted.
LAIRP is open to all trial courts in Washington state. Courts can enroll in the program during the designated enrollment period at the beginning of each fiscal year. If your court is interested in joining the program, submit the following information to InterpreterReimbursement@courts.wa.gov.
- Court name and mailing address
- Name, title, and email address of the Point of Contact (POC)
- Name, title, and email address of the authorized signatory (if different from the POC)
- Court Statewide Vender (SWV) ID
Resources
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AOC Court Credentialed Interpreters
Verifying an interpreter’s credential is an essential step to ensure meaningful and effective language access in courts. These links provide lists of court credentialed interpreters in Washington state.
Spoken Language Interpreters Sign Language Interpreters External link - opens in a new window -
Language Access Plan Template
All Washington state courts must comply with Language Access Plan (LAP) requirements pursuant to RCW 2.43. This is also a requirement for program participants to receive reimbursement under LAIRP.
LAP Template -
Dashboard for Language Interpretation Needs
The Washington Administrative Office of the Courts' Language Interpretation Needs Dashboard combines court-user and community population data to inform courts' local language access planning and their work to provide equal access to justice and access to court services and programs for all individuals regardless of their ability to communicate in the English language.
Enter Dashboard -
Language Access Resources Order Form
Courts can order printed copies of benchcards, I‑Speak cards, and multilingual poster notifying the right to an interpreter.
Order Form External link - opens in a new window -
Office of Financial Management (OFM)
OFM maintains a central vendor file for Washington State agencies to use for processing vendor payments. Verify your court’s ID or learn more about how to obtain one.
Learn More External link - opens in a new window -
Interpreter Compensation Study
LAIRP funded an Interpreter Compensation Study in November 2023 to analyze interpreter compensation in Washington state trial courts and provide data-driven recommendations and strategies.
View Report Download
