OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington residents will soon have expanded access to long-term care support through new changes to the WA Cares Fund, signed into law May 21 by Gov. Bob Ferguson.
The updates will make long-term care more accessible and affordable, said the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services in a release.
“These changes will allow more Washingtonians to access WA Cares benefits and pave the way for insurers to offer affordable options to workers who want additional coverage,” WA Cares Director Ben Veghte stated.
The law introduces new standards for private supplemental long-term care insurance, similar to Social Security and Medicare. These supplemental plans will cover deductibles, making them more affordable for residents. Policies must provide at least 12 months of coverage after WA Cares benefits are exhausted.
Another significant update allows workers with private insurance exemptions to join the program. The Employment Security Department will contact exempt workers with details when this change takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
The contribution requirement to qualify for benefits has been simplified. Workers can qualify by contributing for at least 10 years or for three of the last six years. This change benefits those who leave the workforce temporarily.
Additional updates include automating annual inflation increases and creating an optional exemption for active-duty service members. The program will also pilot benefit payments before they become widely available in July 2026.
