Spotlight on WA Cares applications
Your journey to receiving WA Cares Fund benefits starts with the application process. Beginning April 1, you, or someone helping you, can create an online account on our website.
Loegan, Outreach and Language Access Lead, highlighted additional key dates in the process. “On May 18, applications for benefits will be open statewide,” he said. “Then on July 1 benefits become available statewide.”
While creating your account, make sure you have the following information prepared: your legal name, preferred name (if different from your legal name) and basic demographic information.
“You’ll also have the opportunity to share details about your preferred spoken and written language,” said Robyn, Benefits and Customer Care Program Manager.
After you create your account, you can review and edit your WA Cares notification preferences at any time by navigating to your account settings and selecting “communication preferences.” You can choose between email, SMS/text messages and/or mail.
Robyn noted that “email (is) automatically applied as a default option” if no changes are made manually on your end.
Once your account is active, you’ll have access to your WA Cares dashboard. The dashboard will help you navigate the next steps in the application process and provide benefit status updates.
Next, you can use the dashboard to request a contribution determination letter. Our team will then check how many years you’ve contributed to WA Cares.
After confirming all your information, the Employment Security Department will send you a contribution determinaton letter, which will tell you whether you’ve met the contribution requirement and the benefit amount you’ve earned.
“You will also unlock the next steps in the process, which allows you to sign your application attestation form,” explained Krystal, Benefits Innovation Unit Manager. “And scheduling your intake call.”
When ready to schedule an intake call, you can use your account to share with us the best time and days of the week to reach you.
“We’ll contact you by phone during your identified preferred window,” explained Crystal, Intake Program Manager. “During that call, an intake specialist is going to talk through a series of questions with you. They’ll be gathering important information that will help our assessment specialists during the assessment. They’re going to schedule your care needs assessment and any language services you need and discuss what to expect during that assessment appointment.”
The care needs assessment is the next phase of the application process. These appointments are typically conducted in person” said Sun-Young, Benefits Eligibility Program Manager.
Assessment specialists will go over your care needs and discuss service options with you. “Once the assessment is fully completed, you will receive a benefit determination letter,” explained Sun-Young. The letter will be available to view on your online account.
She continued, “If you are approved, the benefit determination letter will include an assessment summary and the list of suggested services. If you are not approved, the benefit determination letter will include community resources and information about your administrative hearing rights.”
If benefits are approved, your dashboard will help to track your benefit balance as you spend it.
Our online accounts are designed to streamline the application process and keep you up to date on your benefit status. If you need any assistance with your online account, contact us by phone or email. Customer support is available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed on state holidays). Language assistance is available.
To learn more about your online account, watch the replay of our webinar.