The Washington Cares Program, officially known as the WA Cares Fund, is a state-led long-term care insurance program designed to support Washington residents in accessing essential long-term care services. Administered by the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), this program ensures that individuals have a safety net for future long-term care needs. Starting July 1, 2026, eligible Washingtonians can utilize WA Cares Fund benefits to cover a range of long-term care services, including professional care, necessary equipment, home safety assessments, and even compensation for family members providing care.
WA Cares Fund: Mandatory Payroll Deductions Explained
To fund the WA Cares Program, a mandatory payroll deduction is required for all employees in Washington. Employers are responsible for collecting and remitting these deductions to the state. This premium is set by state law at 0.58% of gross wages, which translates to $0.58 per $100 earned. For example, an employee with an annual salary of $50,000 will contribute $290 annually, or approximately $11.15 per paycheck. To get a personalized estimate of your contribution, you can use the official contribution calculator provided by the WA Cares Fund. Payroll deductions began on July 1, 2023, ensuring the financial sustainability of the program for future beneficiaries.
It’s important to note that while the WA Cares Fund isn’t a leave program, its benefits can be used in conjunction with other programs like Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) and long-term disability insurance. This provides a comprehensive support system for individuals facing long-term care needs.
Qualifying for Benefits Under the Washington Cares Program
Eligibility for WA Cares Fund benefits is based on contribution history. There are three pathways to qualify, ensuring different levels of access depending on your career stage and contribution period:
| Benefit Qualification Pathways | Full Benefit, Early Access | Full Benefit, Lifetime Access | Partial Benefit, Lifetime Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Feature | Designed for workers needing care while actively employed or shortly after leaving the workforce, offering comprehensive and ongoing support. | Provides lifelong access to the full benefit amount for individuals who contribute consistently over their working years. | Ensures that individuals closer to retirement age at the program’s launch can still access some level of benefits. |
| Eligibility Requirements | Must have contributed for at least 3 out of the last 6 years at the time of benefit application. | Requires contribution for 10 years at any point in life, without a gap of 5 or more consecutive years. | Specifically for individuals born before January 1, 1968, and requires at least one year of contribution. |
| Benefit Amount | Full benefit amount ($36,500, adjusted annually for inflation). | Full benefit amount ($36,500, adjusted annually for inflation). | Partial benefit, calculated at 10% of the full benefit amount for each year of contribution. |
| Benefit Access | Access is maintained as long as initial eligibility requirements are met at the time of application. | Lifetime access to benefits until the total benefit amount is exhausted. | Lifetime access to benefits until the total benefit amount is exhausted. |
*Benefit amounts are subject to annual adjustments to account for inflation, ensuring the benefit value remains relevant over time.
Exemptions from the WA Cares Fund: Who is Eligible?
Certain individuals may qualify for an exemption from the mandatory WA Cares Fund payroll deduction. It is crucial to understand that a permanent exemption means permanent ineligibility for program benefits; individuals who opt-out cannot rejoin the program later.
Here are the categories for exemption:
- Military veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher.
- Out-of-state workers who live and work outside of Washington.
- Workers with non-immigrant visas, including those with specific temporary work visas.
- Spouses or state-registered domestic partners of active-duty U.S. armed services members.
Note: The exemption for individuals who had private long-term care insurance purchased before November 1, 2021, is no longer available. The application period for this specific exemption ended on December 31, 2022.
Applying for an Exemption from Washington Cares
To apply for an exemption, employees must personally submit their application via the official WA Cares website. If approved, the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) will issue an official approval letter. This letter is required to notify your employer (in this context, King County, as per the original article).
Step-by-step guide to apply for an exemption:
- Apply Online: Visit the WA Cares Exemptions page and complete the online application.
- Submit Approval Letter: Upon approval from the ESD, submit a copy of your official approval letter along with your nine-digit PeopleSoft ID to King County. This can be done via email to [email protected] or by mail to Central Payroll WA CARES, 401 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. Important: Only submit the final approval letter, not pending decision letters or other correspondence.
- Deduction Cessation: Central Payroll will review your exemption letter and take steps to stop the mandatory payroll deductions. Note that refunds are not provided for deductions taken before King County receives your approved exemption letter.
Learn More About the Washington Cares Program
For comprehensive information and to stay updated on the Washington Cares Program, several resources are available:
- Official WA Cares Fund Website: wacaresfund.wa.gov – Your primary source for all program details, updates, and official documents.
- Contact WA Cares Fund: Contact Page or call 844-CARE4WA (844-227-3492) for direct inquiries.
- Educational Resources: Explore newsletters, FAQs, and live webinar sessions offered by the state to deepen your understanding of the WA Cares Fund. Visit the Learn More section on the WA Cares website.
Conclusion: Preparing for Your Future with Washington Cares
The Washington Cares Program is a significant step towards ensuring that all Washington residents have access to long-term care services when they need them. By understanding the program’s benefits, contribution requirements, and exemption options, you can effectively plan for your future long-term care needs and make informed decisions regarding your participation in the Washington Cares Program.
