The means test in Washington: median income

Check your income against the Washington median, and see what the second step and Chapter 13 involve.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

These are the official U.S. Trustee Program medians for Washington. If your household's yearly income is below the median for its size, you pass the first step.

1 person
$88,585
2 people
$107,100
3 people
$131,737
4 people
$156,567
Each extra person
+$11,100
Medians apply to cases filed on or after
April 1, 2026

Washington median income check

Official Form 122A-1 compares your household's yearly income with the median income in Washington. Here are the official medians:

  • 1 person$88,585
  • 2 people$107,100
  • 3 people$131,737
  • 4 people$156,567
  • Each extra person+$11,100

Applies to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026. 1 = one earner; 2, 3, 4 = people in the household; add = amount added for each person over 4

The numbers are worked out in your browser. Nothing you enter here is saved or sent.

Before taxes. Add up all income for the last 6 months and divide by 6.

Enter your household size and income

The bankruptcy courts in Washington

You file in the district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the last 180 days. The Eastern District covers Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman and Yakima counties; the Western District covers Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Whatcom counties (28 U.S.C. 128; Eastern District meeting locations by county: https://www.waeb.uscourts.gov/creditor-meeting-locations).

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1408

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington

Divisions: Seattle and Tacoma courthouses (Vancouver courthouse also listed for hearings)

Clerk's phone: Seattle 206-370-5200; Tacoma 253-882-3900

Court's self-help page

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington

Divisions: Spokane and Yakima clerk's offices (since October 1, 2026 the Spokane clerk's office is in the Thomas S. Foley U.S. Courthouse, 920 West Riverside Avenue, Room 840; the Yakima office is by appointment only)

Clerk's phone: 509-458-5300

Court's self-help page

Exemptions in Washington at a glance

In Washington you choose state or federal exemptions (exemptions are the property the law lets you keep).

Home (homestead): the greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price of a single-family home in the previous calendar year.

Car or other vehicle: One motor vehicle up to $15,000 in value, per person (each spouse gets their own).

Wildcard (any property): In a bankruptcy case: any other personal property up to $10,000 per person (not wages), valued on the date you file.

Exemptions in Washington

In nearby states

  • Oregon: 1 person $79,089 · 2 people $93,670 · 3 people $116,729 · 4 people $140,024
  • Idaho: 1 person $73,413 · 2 people $86,160 · 3 people $98,381 · 4 people $119,662
  • Montana: 1 person $71,310 · 2 people $91,452 · 3 people $103,285 · 4 people $121,698
  • Nevada: 1 person $72,222 · 2 people $87,914 · 3 people $101,638 · 4 people $114,110
  • Wyoming: 1 person $71,745 · 2 people $91,502 · 3 people $98,476 · 4 people $110,297
  • California: 1 person $79,253 · 2 people $102,797 · 3 people $116,541 · 4 people $139,071

Your next steps in Washington

  1. Total your income

    Add every source of household income for the last 6 months.

  2. Do the official first step

    The official first step is Official Form 122A-1.

  3. When income is higher

    You continue with Official Form 122A-2.

  4. Where the forms go

    You file the forms in Western District and Eastern District.

Where to get free help in Washington

Questions about the means test in Washington

What is the homestead exemption in Washington?

The greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price of a single-family home in the previous calendar year, in the net value (market value minus senior liens) of the home you live in or intend to live in, including a mobile home, with no acreage limit.

How do I find my bankruptcy court in Washington?

You file in the district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the last 180 days. The Eastern District covers Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman and Yakima counties; the Western District covers Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Whatcom counties (28 U.S.C. 128; Eastern District meeting locations by county: https://www.waeb.uscourts.gov/creditor-meeting-locations).

What is the median income for the means test in Washington?

For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026: 1 person: $88,585; 2 people: $107,100; 3 people: $131,737; 4 people: $156,567; Each extra person: +$11,100.

Is there free bankruptcy help in Washington?

Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR intake line (free civil legal aid), Spokane County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program and King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinics.

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