Webinars:
Join us and a panel of experts for our WA Cares Conversations: Seniors and the Housing Crisis webinar on May 1 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. We will discuss the cost burden for seniors on a fixed income, affordable housing options, aging-in-place challenges, rental assistance programs for seniors and homelessness. Finally, we will provide an overview of the WA Cares Fund and how it can help. ASL interpretation and live captioning will be available. Register today.
Join us for our WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know webinar on June 11 from 11 a.m.- noon. We will cover what long-term care involves, how caregiving responsibilities impact families and the workplace, who contributes to the fund, how exemptions work, contribution requirements and more. Register today.
Find recordings of more past webinars and learn more about upcoming webinars on our website.
Featured video:
Having a plan in place before disaster strikes can make all the difference. Preparedness for seniors requires special consideration and planning from medical needs to mobility challenges, older adults face unique risks during disasters. Watch the replay of our recent webinar, WA Cares Conversations: Emergency Preparedness for Seniors.
Interested in reading more? Check out our monthly news item.
Rulemaking:
We are hosting interested parties meetings from 10-11:30 a.m. on April 16 and 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on April 23.
Interested parties meetings are an opportunity for those interested in WA Cares rulemaking to discuss draft rule text with WA Cares staff.
Please e-mail feedback to Arielle Finney at Arielle.Finney2@dshs.wa.gov. We ask for feedback to be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on April 23.
Monthly FAQ: How does WA Cares define “Washington workers” when determining who participates in the program?
Whether you participate in WA Cares depends on whether your work is localized in Washington state. WA Cares uses the same localization definitions as the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program (found in RCW 50A.05.010). If you are included in Paid Leave, you will also be included in WA Cares unless you have an approved exemption.
Fund Fact: With WA Cares, you choose the care you need
While WA Cares benefits can be used to pay for care in a residential setting like assisted living, they are primarily designed to cover services and supports to help you stay at home. This could include services like:
- Hiring a home care aide as your primary caregiver or as respite so your unpaid family caregiver can take a break
- Paying a qualified family member (including a spouse) to provide care and getting them training they need to feel supported
- Making home modifications so you can get around better or purchasing a home safety evaluation so you can prevent avoidable falls
- Having meals delivered to your door
- Getting transportation to appointments and errands like grocery shopping
- Purchasing equipment, assistive devices, medication reminder devices
These are just some of the services WA Cares Fund will offer. Others include dementia supports, memory care, care transitions, personal emergency response systems and more. Learn more about benefits covered by WA Cares.
Request a speaker:
Interested in an in-person or virtual presentation on WA Cares for your staff, HR professionals, managers, professional/community organization, or other group in 2025? Fill out our speaker request form we will get back to you with our staff’s availability.
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