Pilot program
WA Cares benefits will become available in January 2026 to a small group of people who live in Lewis, Mason, Spokane and Thurston counties. Get early access to your earned benefits and help make sure our statewide rollout is a success!
How it works
The WA Cares Fund helps Washington workers earn long-term care benefits. Benefits will become available statewide in July 2026 to anyone who meets contribution and care needs requirements.
To make sure our processes are ready, we will start accepting applications and providing benefits to a small group of participants in a pilot program in January 2026.
To participate, you must live in Lewis, Mason, Spokane or Thurston counties. We’re accepting a limited number of applications, so make sure to start the process early if you’re interested.
Pilot participants can begin creating their accounts and submitting applications on Jan. 6, 2026. We will accept applications through Feb. 28 or until we reach the maximum number of pilot applicants.
If you participate, you’ll have the opportunity to give us feedback on your experience along the way. We’ll use your input to improve our processes as we start to offer benefits to all Washingtonians.
Registered providers who offer services in pilot counties or statewide can participate in the pilot. Learn more about provider registration.
Meet requirements
To qualify for benefits, you must meet the contribution requirement and the care needs requirement. Both requirements are the same for the pilot program as when benefits become available statewide. The only difference for the pilot is that you won't be able to participate if you have Apple Health or a case manager for Medicaid long-term care services.
Meet the contribution requirement
In 2026, there are two pathways workers can use to meet the contribution requirement.
- Temporary pathway: If you apply in 2026 and have contributed for at least three years, you’ve earned access to the full benefit amount of $36,500. This pathway is for workers who have contributed recently but haven’t yet earned lifetime access to benefits, so check the pathway details if you plan to apply in the future.
- Transition pathway: If you were born before 1968, you earn lifetime access to 10% of the full benefit amount ($36,500) for each year you contribute.
We count each calendar year you worked in Washington for 500 hours or more. Washington workers began contributing to WA Cares July 1, 2023.
Contributions are automatic for most Washington workers. If you’re not sure whether you contribute, check your pay stub. The deduction may be labeled “WA Cares Fund,” “WA Cares LTC,” or a similar name. You can also ask your employer.
If you have an approved WA Cares exemption, you cannot qualify for WA Cares benefits. If you properly discontinued a conditional exemption for which you no longer qualify, or withdrew a private insurance exemption, the contributions and hours you worked outside of your exemption period will be considered.
If you’re a self-employed worker who has opted in to WA Cares, reported your earnings and paid your premiums, you can qualify for benefits. If you aren’t sure whether you’ve contributed enough to meet the contribution requirement, you can check your past contributions and hours you worked in your elective coverage account or contact the Employment Security Department.
Meet care needs requirement
We’ll meet with you to discuss your care needs. We must determine that you need help with three or more activities of daily living and will continue to need help for at least 90 days. The activities we assess are:
- Bathing
- Bed mobility
- Transferring (getting in or out of a chair)
- Toileting
- Mobility (walking or moving around)
- Eating
- Managing medications
We’ll count any activities that you need supervision (like monitoring, cueing or set-up assistance) to complete.
Pilot-only Medicaid exclusion
If you have Apple Health or a case manager for Medicaid long-term care services, you won’t be able to participate in the pilot program. This will help us make sure the services you’re already getting aren’t affected while we are testing our processes. You’ll be able to apply for and receive benefits when they become available statewide in July 2026.
If you aren’t sure whether this applies to you, we can check for you during the pilot screening process.
Apply for benefits
If you want to participate in the pilot, you should start by checking the requirements listed above. We will only accept pilot applications from people who live in Lewis, Mason, Spokane and Thurston counties.
You’ll start by contacting us for a screening. We'll ask a few questions about your situation, then share information on next steps if you meet pilot requirements.
You’ll be able to submit your application starting Jan. 6, 2026. You (or someone helping you) will apply online or call us to complete your application. You can also get support from your local Area Agency on Aging if you need it. Detailed information on how to complete your application will be available later this year.
Get started
Contact our team by phone at 844-CARE4WA (844-227-3492) or by email. Language assistance is available.
Receive services and supports
If you’re a pilot participant, you’ll be able to start services in 2026 as soon as you’re approved to use benefits.
You can use your benefits to get covered services and supports from a WA Cares provider, including in-home care, home-delivered meals, adaptive equipment and more.
Nursing home services, memory care services and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses won’t be available until July 1, 2026.
If you start using your benefits during the pilot, your services will continue with no interruption after pilot applications close and before benefits become available statewide.
Share resources
You can use these materials to share pilot information with people who may be interested.