The WA Cares Fund is a new program that gives working Washingtonians access to long-term care coverage when they need it. Contributions to the program begin July 1, 2023. Here’s what you need to do to prepare for the program’s launch.

Make sure you understand program basics 

Working Washingtonians contribute 0.58% of each paycheck during their working years to be able to access a $36,500 lifetime benefit (adjusted annually for inflation) that can help pay for long-term care services when needed. 

WA Cares is designed to help you live independently in your home as long as possible. Benefits can be used for a wide range of services like in-home care, paying a family caregiver, home safety modifications, home-delivered meals, transportation and more. 

Workers begin contributing to WA Cares on July 1, 2023 and benefits become available July 1, 2026. In order to use your benefit, you must meet a contribution requirement as well as a care need requirement. 

Learn more about contributions and benefits.

Calculate and plan for your contribution amount

Working Washingtonians contribute 0.58% of each paycheck to the program during their working years to earn access a $36,500 lifetime benefit (adjusted annually for inflation) that can help pay for long-term care services later in life. 

For example, a worker earning a typical wage of $50,091 will contribute about $24 a month. Over a 30-year career, this totals around $8,700 to earn a $36,500 benefit that grows over time. 

You can find a calculator to estimate your own contribution on the WA Cares website.

If you want an exemption and meet the criteria, submit your application

While almost all Washington workers will contribute to WA Cares, several types of exemptionsexist: 

• Workers who had private long-term care insurance before Nov. 1, 2021 were able to apply for a permanent exemption until Dec. 31, 2022. The timeframe for applying for this type of exemption has closed. If you have an approved private insurance exemption, you will continue to be exempt permanently and (under current law) are not able to re-enroll in the program.
• Veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability can apply for a permanent exemption. Applications for this type of exemption became available Jan. 1, 2022 and are available on an ongoing basis.
• Some workers can apply for a conditional exemption. If you live out of state, are a temporary worker with a non-immigrant visa, or are a spouse/registered domestic partner of an active-duty service member of the U.S. armed forces, you can apply for an exemption. Applications for these exemptions became available Jan. 1, 2022 and are available on an ongoing basis. You will qualify for these exemptions only as long as these circumstances apply and you must notify your employer and the Employment Security Department (ESD) within 90 days if you no longer qualify. 

If you’re applying for an exemption, plan ahead! Make sure to submit your exemption application to ESD and (if approved) provide your exemption letter to your employer as soon as possible to ensure premiums aren’t deducted from your paycheck. It is your responsibility to provide your letter to your employer and refunds will not be available if you don’t submit your letter in time.

Please be sure to submit your exemption letters no later than Friday July 7, 2023, please email to payroll@shoreline.edu. 

If you already have an approved exemption, make sure your employer has your letter on file

If you previously received an exemption approval letter for private insurance, your exemption is still valid. You do not need to reapply, but you should make sure your employer has your exemption letter on file. 

If you can’t find your exemption letter, you can download a copy from the Secure Access Washington account you used to apply for the exemption.

Get your questions answered If you still have questions about WA Cares, you can find more information on the program’s website: 

• Contributions

• Benefits

• Exemptions

• Upcoming webinars

• Contact information

To stay up to date on WA Cares news and events, subscribe to the program’s mailing list.