Wa Cares Fund (Long Term Care) – Exemption Request Period

Good Morning all,

Thank you for your patience as I worked to get information regarding the new, WA Cares Fund, also known as Long Term Care (aka LTSS) from the State of Washington, below is the information received.  If you have questions regarding the program, please contact Employment Security directly, the link is below under the heading questions.

Exemptions

The LTSS exemption request period begins 10/1/2021.

The application for exemption from the LTSS program is primarily online and will be available beginning 10/1/2021. Individuals will be able to find the link on October 1 here: http://www.wacaresfund.wa.gov/private-insurance/. 

Employees will need to submit an online application. ESD will accommodate those who are unable to apply online. Employees whose exemption requests are approved are permanently exempt from the LTSS program the quarter following the submission of the exemption documentation to the employer. ESD will accept applications until December 31, 2022 however, employees must have a private long-term care insurance policy in effect by November 1, 2021.

Employees who have been approved by ESD for an exemption will receive written documentation from ESD and are required to provide a copy of their exemption approval letter to all current and  future employers if they do not want premiums deducted from their wages for the program.

Questions

• For LTSS program questions, please continue to monitor the ESD WA Cares Fund website: https://wacaresfund.wa.gov/

Delene Bryant
Payroll Manager
HR & Employee Relations