Webinars
Basics for Providers from 1-2 p.m. on March 10
Before benefits begin in July we will work to register a diverse range of qualified providers for each covered service. To ensure quality care, providers must meet minimum qualifications to participate. Once registered, beneficiaries can choose from these providers — empowering them to select the services that best meet their needs within their own communities.
We will cover:
- How the program works
- Types of providers that will be able to register
- Minimum qualifications and requirements providers will have to meet
- How to register as a provider
Basics for Self-Employed Workers from 10-11 a.m. on March 25
If you’re self-employed, you can choose to elect coverage and protect yourself with the same affordable benefits available to other Washington workers. Applications became available on July 1, 2023. Coverage must be elected by June 30, 2026, or within three years of becoming self-employed for the first time.
You'll start contributing to WA Cares the quarter after you elect coverage and then submit your first report when that quarter ends. Like all working Washingtonians, your WA Cares contributions will continue until you retire or are no longer self-employed.
We will cover:
- How the program works
- The definition of a self-employed worker
- Creating an elective coverage account
- How to opt-in
- Reporting requirements
All webinars will include an opportunity for audience Q&A and include live captioning. Simultaneous translations will be available.
Rulemaking
WA Cares is proposing revisions to chapter 388-116 WAC and the addition of two new rules related to services provided by financial management services vendors. In preparation for filing the CR-102, draft rule text was shared with interested parties from Feb. 23 through March 2. An interested parties meeting was held on Feb. 26 to receive verbal feedback. Feedback will inform the proposed rule text, cost-benefit analysis, and small business economic impact statement.
For additional information about WA Cares rulemaking, visit the WA Cares rulemaking website.
WA Cares pilot program
To make sure our processes are ready prior to statewide rollout in July 2026, we’ve started offering benefits to a small group of people through a pilot program in Lewis, Mason, Spokane and Thurston counties. We are accepting pilot applications through March 31 (or until we reach the maximum number of participants).
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.
To get started, contact our team by phone at 844-CARE4WA (844-227-3492) or by email. Language assistance is available.
Monthly FAQ:
How do self-employed workers opt-in to WA Cares?
If you’re self-employed, you can choose to elect coverage and protect yourself with the same affordable benefits available to other Washington workers. The Employment Security Department manages this process and provides information and application instructions. The deadline for self-employed workers to opt-in by is June 30, 20206, or within three years of becoming self-employed for the first time.
We’re hiring
With statewide launch coming July 1, we’re looking to fill a variety of open positions. Apply today or share with someone you know!
Visit our careers page for more information.
Featured services:
This month’s featured service is respite for family caregivers.
Respite for family caregivers means short-term service that gives your paid or unpaid family caregivers a break by ensuring you receive care from someone else. You can get respite care in your home or in the community from an adult day care, adult family home, assisted living facility or nursing home. You can use this service multiple times to meet your needs.
Learn more about what services are covered by WA Cares.