WA Cares Fund benefits now available

WA Cares is designed to help Washingtonians live safely and independently in their homes longer and provide a much-needed financial resource for families. Most Washington workers earn long-term care benefits they can use later in life through automatic contributions to WA Cares.

“This is a historic moment for Washington as the first and only state to offer workers access to affordable long-term care,” said Governor Bob Ferguson. “Most of us will need long-term care at some point in our lives. I’m proud Washington is the first state in the country to offer a program like WA Cares. Once again, Washington state is leading the way.”

To qualify for benefits, applicants must meet a contribution requirement and a care needs requirement. Even workers or recent retirees who have only contributed for part of a year since July 2023 may have earned benefits they can use if they need care.

To get started, applicants create a benefits account and fill out a brief online application. They can also get help from a loved one or representative, or call 844-CARE4WA to apply over the phone. Applicants who want in-person application support can find their local Area Agency on Aging online or call 855-567-0252.  

WA Cares checks the worker’s contribution history to confirm they meet the contribution requirement. To determine whether the applicant meets the care needs requirement, a WA Cares team member meets with them to talk about help they need with daily activities like bathing, eating, managing medications and moving around the house.  

Once approved, the beneficiary can access up to $36,500 in covered services and supports. The benefit amount grows automatically over time with inflation. They can find registered providers who offer the services they want using an online directory.