October 2024 Monthly Newsletter

WA Cares Fund provides working Washingtonians a way to earn access to long-term care benefits that will be available to eligible individuals when they need them. Approximately 70% of Washingtonians will eventually need long-term services and supports as they age–help with activities of daily living like bathing, eating and taking medications, while many others will need such supports earlier in life due to a disability.

To learn more about the WA Cares Fund watch our short animated explainer videos in English or Spanish.

Join us from 1-2 p.m. on Nov. 4 for WA Cares Conversations: Resources for New Family Caregivers. Join us and a panel of experts to learn signs a loved one may need more help, tips for talking with your loved one about long-term care, types of long-term services and supports available and how to find resources and supports. We’ll also provide an overview of the WA Cares Fund and how it will help family caregivers. ASL interpretation and live captioning will be available. Register today.

ICYMI: Watch the replay of our WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know webinar. Find recordings of more past webinars and learn more about upcoming webinars on our website.

Fund Fact: 70% of us will need long-term care at some point in our lives and even though long-term care is a predictable cost, most of us don’t have a way to pay for it.

Caregivers spend on average 25% of their own income on care-related expenses. A study by AARP shows just how much housing, home modifications, medical expenses and other costs can add up — and disproportionately hurt those who can least afford it. According to the study:

• 78% of family caregivers report having out-of-pocket expenses as a result of caregiving.
• On average, family caregivers spend a quarter of their own income on care-related expenses.
• Nearly half of caregivers have experienced at least one financial setback as a result of caregiving, like dipping into personal savings, cutting back on their own spending, or reducing how much they save for their own retirement.
• Caregivers of color experience higher financial strain.

Your WA Cares benefit, which starts at $36,500 and grows over time with inflation, can be used on any combination of covered services.  

Learn more about the cost of caregiving in our monthly news item.

Monthly FAQ: How will I access care as an out-of-state participant?

Benefits will become available for out-of-state participants starting in July 2030. The processes and policies for out-of-state beneficiaries are still in development, but the program plans to partner with one or more nationwide vendors to assess care needs of beneficiaries in other states. More information on will be available by July 2026, when workers who leave the state can begin signing up as out-of-state participants.

LTSS Trust Commission:

The Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Commission works on behalf of Washington employees and long-term care stakeholders to improve, monitor, and implement WA Cares. The Commission’s next meeting is from 1-4 p.m. on Oct. 30. Join the Zoom webinar. Find meeting details and learn more about the Commission.