New Law Expands WA Cares Fund

In May, Governor Ferguson signed a new law with updates to the WA Care Fund program. These updates will allow more access to the WA Cares Fund for Washingtonians and provide optional additional coverage for those who would like more support. Updates include:

• Supplemental Private Long-Term Care insurance will be an optional addition to the WA Cares Fund program and is designed to work alongside the program to provide more security.
• An opportunity will be given to workers who received an exemption for having private long-term care insurance before November 2021 and would now like to opt back in to the program. The Employment Security Department will contact these workers after January 1st, 2026, with further instructions about how to opt back in.
• The 10-year contribution requirements have been simplified by now requiring someone to just contribute for at least 10 years. Previously, the requirement was that someone had to contribute at least 10 years without a gap of 5 or more years, which was a barrier for people who may need to leave the workforce to care for children or loved ones.
• The annual inflation increases are now automated, which will keep the workers’ benefits growing over time.
• There are also updates to a couple exemption options.

For more information visit https://wacaresfund.wa.gov/news/new-law-expands-long-term-care-support