WA Cares Fund

The , also known as the Washington State Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program, is a Long-term care insurance (LTCi) program for Washington State. It is funded by payroll deductions equal to 0.58% of W2 employees' wages.

Benefits

 * Starts Jan 1st, 2025.
 * $100 per day.
 * $36,500 maximum benefits.

Contribution requirements

 * At least ten years at any point in your life without a break of five or more years within those ten years, or
 * Three of the last six years at the time you apply for the benefit, and
 * At least 500 hours per year during those years.

Exemptions

 * Unemployed persons - if you don't work, you don't pay.
 * Self employed with 1099 only income - only W2 employees pay. Self employed persons can opt in.
 * Federal employees.
 * Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) prior to 2018.
 * Persons who have LTCi before Nov 1st, 2021 can apply for a permanent exemption.

You can apply for an exemption at:

https://wacaresfund.wa.gov/apply-for-an-exemption/

Key dates

 * Employees have until Nov 1st, 2021 to purchase an active LTCi policy in order to opt-out.
 * The opt-out window runs from Nov 1st, 2021 through Dec 31st, 2022.
 * Beginning Jan 1st, 2022, employers are required to collect premiums via an uncapped 0.58% payroll deduction.

LTCi companies in Washington state

 * Bankers Life & Casualty
 * Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (for federal employees and retirees and their spouses)
 * Genworth (only if you buy directly from the home office, not offered through agents/brokers)
 * Knights of Columbus (for members of the fraternal organization)
 * LifeSecure (worksite only)
 * Mutual of Omaha
 * National Guardian Life
 * New York Life
 * Northwestern Mutual
 * Thrivent (fraternal organization, religious requirements)
 * Transamerica (worksite only)