Sending Money to Someone at Coyote Ridge: The DOC-Approved Options and What You Need to Know
Getting money onto someone's trust account at Coyote Ridge is straightforward once you pick the right method. Washington DOC only allows a few approved options, and fees plus mandatory deductions affect how much actually reaches your loved one.
Washington DOC approves three ways to send money to a trust account: Securus Debit, Western Union, or a cashier's check/money order. Securus and Western Union are electronic - no mailing required. The cashier's check or money order option works if you prefer to send funds by mail, just follow the formatting rules carefully or it'll get rejected.
Using Western Union? Watch the service fee, especially on small deposits. DOC's published rate shows a $5.95 fee for amounts from $0.01 to $30.00. That "quick $20" loses a noticeable chunk to fees. Plan your deposits with that in mind.
Cashier's checks and money orders are the DOC-approved mail option for trust account deposits. This works well if you'd rather skip electronic transfers. Just pay close attention to what goes in the envelope - mistakes mean rejection.
Warning: Don’t mail cash, personal checks, or stamps. That mail will be rejected and returned to you at the incarcerated individual’s expense.
Here's something that catches many families off guard: money deposited to a trust account can be subject to mandatory deductions under RCW 72.09.480. Even when your deposit goes through, some of it may be automatically taken out. There are exemptions, though - funds specifically designated for postage, education, or qualified medical expenses can be protected from those deductions.
Tip: Build deductions into your plan. If you’re trying to cover a specific need, you may want to send a bit more so the net amount after deductions still does what you intended.
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- ✓ Confirm you have the incarcerated person’s correct identifying information before you send anything.
- ✓ Pick a method that matches your priorities: electronic (Securus Debit or Western Union) vs. mailed (cashier’s check/money order).
- ✓ If you’re considering a small Western Union deposit, remember the fee example: $5.95 for $0.01–$30.00.
- ✓ If you mail funds, use only a cashier’s check or money order - never cash, personal checks, or stamps (those get rejected and returned at the individual’s expense).
- ✓ Keep your receipt or confirmation until you see the funds post to the trust account.
Before sending money, double-check the Washington DOC "Send Money" instructions for current vendor details and formatting requirements. Securus Debit, Western Union, and cashier's check/money order are the only approved options - following the official guidance helps you avoid delays and rejected deposits.
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