How the Fund Works
The WA Cares Fund is a public long-term care insurance program. All working Washingtonians contribute a small percentage of their income into the fund. Then when you need care, you can access your earned benefit of $36,500 (grows over time with inflation) to pay for services.
The Path to Your Benefit
Automatically contribute 0.58% of your paycheck to the fund during your working years, starting in July 2023.
Learn more:
Calculate how much you might contribute
After contributing for 10 years (or less if you are nearing retirement or have a sudden need), you can access your benefit when you need care.
Learn more:
How long you need to contribute to the fund
You must also have a care need that requires assistance with activities of daily living in order to access your benefit.
Learn more:
What are the care need requirements
After meeting the care need and contribution requirement, you can apply online to access your benefit starting in July 2026.
Learn more:
How to apply for your benefit
Once approved, you can access your benefit of up to $36,500 (grows over time with inflation) to pay for care. Those born before 1968 typically have lower contribution requirements and benefits.
1 Automatically Contribute
The WA Cares Fund is a universal benefit you earn by contributing a small portion of each paycheck to the fund. This applies to both part-time and full-time workers.
How much do I contribute?
By contributing a small amount (0.58%) from your wages to the fund while working, you earn a long-term care benefit (up to $36,500) for when you need it. Everyone contributes at the same low rate regardless of salary.
When and how long do I contribute?
Workers began contributing to WA Cares Fund on July 1, 2023.
You contribute to the WA Cares Fund for as long as you're working in Washington state. As soon as you retire, you stop contributing. Similarly, if you become unemployed or leave the workforce to care for a child or other loved one, contributions stop. If you access your WA Cares benefit early and return to the workforce, contributions resume.
Who contributes?
All full-time, part-time, and temporary workers in Washington contribute to the WA Cares Fund, unless they have an approved exemption.
Federal employees do not contribute. Employees of tribal businesses only contribute if the tribe has chosen to opt in.
Self-employed workers only earn benefits if they opt in. Learn more about the self-employed opt-in. See who does not pay into the fund below.
Who is exempt from contributions to the WA Cares Fund?
Some people automatically do not contribute to the fund, and other groups of people may apply for a voluntary exemption. Those with an approved exemption do not contribute to the fund and will not be able to access benefits. Learn more about exemptions.
These people automatically do not contribute:
- Federal employees who work in Washington
- Employees of tribal businesses in which the tribe has not opted in
- People who are self-employed who have not opted in
- Retired and non-working Washingtonians
These people may apply for a voluntary exemption:
- Workers whose permanent home address is outside Washington
- Temporary workers on a non-immigrant visa
- Spouses or registered domestic partners of active-duty military members
- Veterans with 70% or higher service-connected disabilities
2 Meet the Contribution Requirement
There are three different ways workers can meet the WA Cares Fund contribution requirement. The first two pathways offer any worker an opportunity to earn full benefits, and the third pathway offers near-retirees (people born before 1968) an opportunity to earn partial benefits.
Permanent pathway
Full benefit
Requirement
Contribute for at least 10 years
Benefit amount
$36,500 (grows over time with inflation)
Purpose
Provides lifetime access for workers who contribute to the fund over the long term
Temporary pathway
Full benefit
Requirement
At the time you apply for benefits, have contributed for at least 3 of the past 6 years
Benefit amount
$36,500 (grows over time with inflation)
Purpose
Provides temporary access for workers who have contributed recently but haven’t yet earned lifetime access to benefits
Transition Pathway
Pro-rated benefit
Requirement
Born before January 1, 1968 and have contributed for at least one year
Benefit amount
10% of the full benefit amount for each year you contribute (currently $3,650 per year)
Purpose
Ensures people who are near retirement when WA Cares launches can earn lifetime access to pro-rated benefits
3 Care Needs Requirement
The second requirement to access your benefit is needing care. This is because WA Cares is a long-term care insurance program, not a savings account. WA Cares evaluates your care need by determining if you need assistance with three or more activities of daily living, such as bathing or managing medications.
Do you need help with any of these?
Many people with cognitive impairment, like problems with memory and decision making, struggle to complete activities of daily living alone. They may need supervision like someone monitoring what they’re doing or cueing them to start an activity. If a person needs supervision to complete an activity of daily living, it will count as one of the three activities of daily living they must need help with to access benefits.
4 Apply for Your Benefit
Once you’ve met both the contribution and care need requirement (see above), you will be able to apply to use your WA Cares benefit. Benefits become available July 1, 2026. Here’s how the application process will work:
1. Create a WA Cares Fund account
You will start by creating an account with a username and password. If you are helping a family member with their benefits, you will be able to sign up as an authorized representative.
2. Submit an application
You will answer a few questions about your care needs that will be reviewed by our team.
3. Discuss your care needs
You'll be able to schedule a time to talk with a representative about your care needs either in-person or over the phone.
4. Receive your determination
You will let us know how you want to receive messages (email, text, or mail) about your application. We will notify you about whether you qualify to start receiving your benefit.
Learn more about Applying for benefits
5 Receive Services
Once approved, you’ll have lifetime access to a total balance of up to $36,500 to pay for your long-term care. This benefit amount will grow over time as it grows over time with inflation.
Choosing care services
Once you have been approved to start using your WA Cares benefit, you can choose when and how you use it. You can find an in-home care provider, use it for specific services, or make your home safer. To learn more about how the benefit can be used see Benefit coverage.
WA Cares handles payments
You will be able to use your benefit without having to pay out of pocket up front and you never need to submit a claim. All you’ll need to do is find a covered provider, approve the authorizations, and the rest of the process will be taken care of. You’ll be able to view your benefit balance when you are signed into your account, but WA Cares will pay providers directly on your behalf.
Did you know WA Cares Fund covers over 40 different care services? Explore the full options for Benefit coverage.