Washington Cares Fund Updates

Recently the state has provided some additional updates around the WA Cares Fund.

If you live in another state but work in WA, the state of Washington has opened an exemption application as of January 1, 2023. It includes a few additional cases where someone may be able to apply for an exemption.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, Washington workers became eligible for exemptions from WA Cares if any of the following apply to them:
o Live outside of Washington.
o Are the spouse or registered domestic partner of an active-duty service member of the United States armed forces.
o Have non-immigrant work visas.
o Are veterans with a 70% service-connected disability rating or higher.
The Employment Security Department is responsible for processing applications for those wishing to seek an exemption under these new categories.

For those who have an exemption for a private LTC policy the policy must still have been in place prior to November 1, 2021, nothing has changed in regards to the private insurance exemption.

Under the current law there is no ongoing re-verification process, however legislators have asked that this be reviewed in 2023 and a re-certification process is possible in the future.

Premium collection from employers is still set to begin July 1, 2023.