A PIECE OF THE RETIREMENT PUZZLE The WA Cares Fund gives Washington workers an affordable way to earn long-term care benefits and plan for life after retirement. If you’ve worked in Washington since 2023, you likely qualify. Covered services Independence isn’t about doing it all on your own. It’s about having the right help to keep living life on your own terms as you age. WA Cares helps cover long-term care services and supports designed to help you stay at home — and stay independent. Icon Pay a family member to provide care You can hire a home care aide or pay a qualified family member (including a spouse) to provide care. Family caregivers. Icon Make your home safe and accessible You can pay for home modifications (like installing grab bars) so you can get around better, or order a home safety evaluation to identify hazards and reduce the risk of falls. Icon Transportation and home-delivered meals You can pay for home-delivered meals so that you can get nutritious food right to your door or transportation to medical appointments. Icon Pay for a lift chair, door alarm, and more You can purchase assistive equipment or technology that help you function in your home and in the community. SEE ALL COVERED SERVICES Paying for long-term care Most of us will need support with activities of daily living at some point in our lives, but won’t have a way to pay for it. Medicare and health insurance don’t cover long-term care. WA Cares gives you more choices as you plan. To access WA Cares benefits, up to $36,500, you must meet two requirements: 1 Contribution requirement You can meet the contribution requirement through one of three pathways. Permanent pathway: Earn the full benefit amount by contributing for at least 10 years.* Temporary pathway: Earn the full benefit amount if you have contributed for at least three of the last six years* at the time you apply for benefits. Transition pathway: If you were born before 1968, earn lifetime access to 10% of the full benefit amount for each year* you contribute. *We will count each calendar year year you work at least 500 hours. LEARN MORE ABOUT WA CARES 2 Care needs requirement 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. APPLY FOR BENEFITS Additional resources BENEFITS FOR NEAR RETIREES CHECKLIST FOR LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING WA CARES FAQS PAGE Assistance and support Customer support is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed state holidays). Icon Call Department of Social and Health Services For general questions Call 844-CARE4WA Icon Email us Fill out this form and we'll route your inquiry to the appropriate state agency. Send email
