On Jan. 27, Gov. 1 The WA Cares Act had a rapidly approaching start date of January 1, 2022when Washington employers were to begin . console.log('There is a translation for this page'); The law provides one deadline for securing private long-term care insurance (by October 31, 2021) and one window for securing the exemption (October 1, 2021-December 31, 2022). Am I supposed to withhold WA Cares premiums from my employees now?No. Generally, youll collect premiums for WA Cares from the same employees you pay premiums on for Paid Family and Medical Leave. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, people who need assistance with at least three "activities of daily living" such as bathing, dressing or administration of medication, can. Who is the underwriter for WA Cares Fund?WA Cares Fund is a universal long-term care program that works like Social Security, where all workers participate and earn coverage over the course of their careers. } The Washington State Legislature established a long-term care insurance benefit for all eligible workers to address the future long-term care crisis. Yes, in order to receive benefits, individuals must be 18 years of age or older and living in Washington state. What long-term care insurance policies qualify for an exemption?The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) has defined criteria that private policies must meet to qualify. Cant join live? passURL(); To be eligible to receive the benefit, you must meet contribution requirements and need help with activities of daily living. What is the WA Cares Fund? 360-489-5587. return new Promise(function(resolve, reject){ var lastPart = window.location.pathname; Subject to staff availability and scheduling. People who need long-term services and supports may begin applying for benefits in July 2026. Our company supplies long-term care insurance for our employees. reject(xhr.status); https://dshs-wa.zoom.us/j/89560871662?pwd=WFY4T2dFUmw1VHZFOFdpSjZYcWI3Zz09, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 775. // . var pathname = window.location.pathname; $100 per day. Starting in January 2022, all employees in the state of Washington will begin paying premiums via paycheck deductions to the WA Cares Fund, a new long-term care insurance benefit that, beginning in January 2025, can be used to purchase long-term care services and support. var doesNotFound = doesEspbase.split('/').pop(); Are WA Cares Fund benefits available to Washington residents only? Workers contribute $0.58 per $100 dataLayer.push({'RequestUrl':lastPart}); You can apply for an exemption from Oct. 1, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2022. for disabled veterans and out of state employees) The delay in implementation is intended to allow lawmakers additional time . // ]]>. EARNING YOUR BENEFITS Benefits Starting in July 2026, each person who is eligible to receive the benefit can access care costing up to $36,500 (adjusted annually for inflation) over their lifetime. Not deduct WA Cares premiums from workers whove provided an ESD exemption approval letter. results = regex.exec(url); Washington is the first state in the nation to make long-term care more affordable for workers. Will the long-term care insurance offered by my employer qualify me for an exemption?Maybe. Are you planning a professional event and interested in having a presentation on WA Cares as part of your agenda? Can we apply for an exemption on behalf of our employees?No. We're sorry. Employers can also subscribe for updates from ESD. Check out our flyer for more information about WA Cares or visit our Learn More page to view dates . If you are being supported by an unpaid family caregiver, you can hire a home care aide to give them a break or get your family members the training they need to feel supported. Washington Cares Fund is Delayed until April of 2022. The Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act ("Act" or "WA Cares Fund") was designed to provide eligible WA residents with benefits to pay for long-term care services beginning January 1, 2025. When will I find out if my application has been approved? These are just some of the services WA Cares Fund will offer. The money will fund a long-term care program, which will pay out $36,500 to eligible Washingtonians when they need care. How will the department decide if I have a need for long-term care?DSHS will ask you questions about your activities of daily living and the support you need. callHeader(); }); Can I use the ICESA file that is just for Paid Leave, or do I have to use the new file specs that include WA Cares? Interested in hearing about upcoming meetings and events? Release Date: Oct 24 2022. var makeNo = ''; Im a federal employee. Once you provide your approval letter to your employers and the effective date of your exemption has passed, your employers must stop withholding premiums. The WA Cares fund was created by the Legislature in 2019 as a safety net for the . If you have a balance due for Paid Leave, your payment will be applied to that balance first. Inslee signed a bill that delays parts of WA Cares implementation by 18 months. Near-retirees who have earned partial benefits will have access to a percentage of the total amount depending on how many years they worked. if(doesNotFound == 'page-is-not-found'){ URL.splice(esIndex, 1); //add 'esp' Check the Office of the Insurance Commissioners website to learn more about what qualifies as private long-term care insurance in Washington state. The Washington Cares Fund was . Release Date: OLYMPIA The United States District Court for the Western District of Washington this week dismissed a class action lawsuit filed against the WA Cares Fund, the first-of-its kind program that ensures all Washingtonians have access to long-term care when they need it. Every employee contributes - employers do not. The Employment Security Department (ESD) can only accept applications for exemption from October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022. [CDATA[ Changes include: In addition, the LTSS Trust Commission is studying ways to make benefits available to people who qualify for benefits, then move out of state. Once you provide your approval letter to your employers and the effective date of your exemption has passed, your employers must stop withholding premiums. Join us for an overview of the resources available for family caregivers today and ways the WA Cares Fund will help support caregivers in the future. If you need assistance with at least three activities of daily living, you are eligible for benefits. The new long-term care tax applies to the wages of employees working in Washington State. The Employment Security Department (ESD) may audit your application and request more information from you. Inslee signeda billthat delays parts of WA Cares implementation by 18 months. 7 in 10 Washingtonians over the age of 65 will need long-term services and supports within their lifetimes. Family caregivers who leave the workforce to care for a loved one lose their own income and health and retirement benefits. So slightly more than half a percent. $("#requestSubmitted").removeClass("noDisplay") After Nov. 1, 2021, anyone not able to find a qualified long-term care insurance policy is now stuck paying a 0.58% portion of their wages to the fund starting July 2023 the new start date . So, those who plan to move out of state for five or more years, may forfeit payroll tax premiums and benefits. Starting in 2023, Washington employees must begin paying premiums for the fund. function checkTranslation(event){ Want this information sent straight to your email? I have a long-term care rider on my life insurance policy. var newSpanishLink = newURL.replace(/,/g, "/"); OLYMPIA WA Cares Fund, Washington state's long-term care program for workers, is projected to be fully funded through June 30, 2098, according to a new study published today by the Office of the State Actuary. The tax rate starts at 0.58%. "&" : "?") URL.unshift(spanish); But remember, an exemption from WA Cares is a lifetime exemption. var newURL = baseURL + URL; Want to stay on top of the latest implementation news or get notices about rulemaking? Individuals with approved exemptions will never be eligible for WA Care benefits. WA Cares Fund Tax Formula. $('#thankYou').removeClass('dontShow'); Connect with DSHS & ESD About DSHS About ESD Work for WA Locate a DSHS Service Office Report Abuse, For More Information Facebook Twitter YouTube Medium WA Cares Email Sign-Up Employer Information (ESD) Email Sign-up, Copyright 2021 DSHS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Knowing theres money set aside for care in the future gives your employees peace of mind today. This may be based on self-report and could be verified by a health professional. How do I know if my employees have approved exemptions?It is the employees responsibility to notify and give you a copy of their approval letter from ESD, which contains the date their exemption goes into effect. Exemptions are permanent. WA Cares Fund: Affordability, choice, peace of mind. What about amendments?We encourage employers to start using the new file specs in April 2022, both for initial reports and amendments. Jay Inslee announced Friday a decision to delay the start of a mandatory payroll tax to fund Washington state's new long-term care program. function passURL(){ Office of the Insurance Commissioners website, Long-Term Care Planning for Near-Retirees, Long-Term Care Planning for Younger Workers. The ESD will not accept applications after December 31, 2022 (this date has been extended from the original December 31, 2021 date - see the WA Cares FAQ here). Knowing there's money set aside for care in the future gives your employees peace of mind today. - You can shop for and purchase Individual Long-Term Care Insurance. In 2021, the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Commission developed a report to the Legislature with policy options for addressing some of the issues raised most frequently by the public. $('#requestBtn').click(function(){ + "translation=no"; The Washington Cares Fund will start automatically collecting money from most paychecks in the state, starting in January. Thats why were committed to keeping you in the loop. Based on that research, WA Cares Fund was designed to offer a modest benefit at an affordable cost. To help tackle this problem, as well as the risk of overwhelming the State's Medicaid program, Washington passed legislation to create a first-in-the-nation public program in 2019 called WA Cares. 591 Views Last edit Sep 10, 2021 at 03:49 PM 2 rev Hello all, Those of you in Washington State are no doubt aware of the WA Cares Fund, for which we will all have to start deducting a new state tax from payroll beginning in January 2022. There are 5 steps you have to take in order to opt out (and stay out) of the Washington Cares Fund payroll deduction. When will employees start paying the premium?Premium withholding will begin July 1, 2023. Join the webinar: https://dshs-wa.zoom.us/j/89560871662?pwd=WFY4T2dFUmw1VHZFOFdpSjZYcWI3Zz09, One tap mobile: +12532158782,,89560871662#, Other phone numbers: https://dshs-wa.zoom.us/u/kw6fYaBcc. The types of activities DSHS will ask you about are eating, bathing, walking, or moving around in a wheelchair, dressing, getting in and out of a chair and your ability to move around once you are in bed, using the bathroom, managing your medications, personal hygiene, and body care. In addition, the law was updated so individuals born before January 1, 1968, who have not paid premiums for the required . Need more infoon reporting? } If I miss the deadline to apply, can I still be exempt from the program?No. WA Cares Fund is a new earned benefit to ensure working Washingtonians can access long-term care when they need it. Collections will start in July 2023. Norah West. //get rid of the trailing slash Do we have to collect premiums for employees who dont live in Washington?Businesses will need to collect WA Cares premiums for employees whose work is localized in Washington. This includes the definition of Employment in (8). Avsenos si desea que esto sea una prioridad y traduciremos la pgina lo antes posible. Included exemption opportunities for specific groups (i.e. Legislation enacted in 2022 changed these effective dates, as well as a number of other program provisions. Does this qualify me for an exemption?Maybe. Starts Jan 1st, 2025. This payroll tax starts January 1 st, 2022. See further guidance. if (xhr.readyState === 4){ The Washington Cares Fund, also known as Washington Cares and the WA Cares Fund, is a mandatory long-term care insurance benefit for workers. On January 1, 2025 DSHS will start accepting benefit applications from individuals who are vested in the WA Cares Fund, and have long-term care needs. console.log(xhr.status); WA Cares Fund (Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program) The WA Cares Fund is a state-run long-term care insurance benefit where eligible individuals can access a lif etime benefit of $36,500 (adjusted annually for inflation) . - Employers can offer group coverage to their employees through our program or another . The WA Cares Fund is a new long-term care (LTC) insurance benefit . Employers will not be required to collect the .58% payroll tax until July 1, 2023. Last November, six. Are Statutory W-2 Employees subject to the payroll tax being implemented in January of next year?Definitions for who contributes to the WA Cares Fund (Long-Term Services and Supports or LTSS) in RCW 50B.04.010 refer back to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program (PFML) definitions in RCW 50A.05.010. WA Cares Fund Ensuring all Washingtonians have access to affordable long-term care when they need it. How long will $36,500 typically last?Twenty hours of home care per week for one year costs around $32,000 in Washington State. Captioned recordings are available via the WA Cares YouTube Channel! The WA Cares Fund is an affordable long-term care insurance program for all working Washingtonians. Starting Jan. 1, 2023, exemptions granted to military spouses, non-immigrant visa holders, and those living outside Washington will not be permanent. Is there cash value if you never use it?WA Cares Fund is a universal long-term care program that works like Social Security, where all workers participate and earn coverage over the course of their careers. Whether or not tax collection begins, the WA Cares Fund tax will start accruing on 1/1/2022; Withheld January, February, and March taxes have always been, and will (for now), continue to be due in April 2022; The only way the start date of the tax can be delayed is if the legislature passes a revision to the WA Cares Fund law and the Governor . } else if (esIndex == spanish) { console.log("xhr failed"); When can I test the new ICESA file specifications?Employer agents, or third-party administrators, can test the new ICESA file specifications starting in April 2022. Learn more at wacaresfund.wa.gov today. The program " imposes a 0.58% payroll deduction on Washington workers beginning in JanuaryThen, starting in 2025, eligible. Before creating the program, the state studied data and worked with experts to explore public and private solutions. Update as of: January 27, 2022. Please note: Submitting a request does not guarantee a speaker. What employers, workers, and the self-employed should know about WA Cares Fund - the new publicly funded long term care insurance administered by the the WA ESD and DSHS including collection, opting out, and eligibility for benefits. In 2019, the Washington Legislature passed what is now known as the Washington Cares Fund. The Legislature has passed two amendments to the WA Cares Act. If using the new format, enter $0 in fields related to WA Cares. Beginning July 1, 2023, youll collect premiums from your employees the same way you do now for Paid Leaveweve updated the Paid Leave reporting system on our end so you can report for both programs at the same time. WA Cares Fund gives members access to a lifetime benefit they can use on a wide range of long-term services and supportsshould they need it. Legislature passed reforms to improve program and address coverage gaps. Beginning July 2026, each person who is eligible to receive the WA Cares Fund benefit can access services and supports costing up to $36,500. Learn if anexemption is right for you. As a brief reminder, not long ago in April 2021, Governor Inslee signed into effect the WA Cares Act, establishing a first-of-its-kind mandatory, public, state-run long-term care insurance program for Washington workers. On Jan 1,2022 employers will begin deducting from their employees (who have not opted out) W2 wages to fund the state program. Some employees may choose to apply for an exemption from WA Cares coverage. Here are some things you may want to consider. window.location = noTranslation; xhr.open(methodType, checkHead, true); } var doesEspbase = xhr.responseURL; if( newSpanishLink === '/esp/'){ Were already listening to your feedback and working to make WA Cares Fund better. Washington is the first state in the nation to develop a public plan that makes long-term care insurance affordable. Each webinar includes a basic overview of WA Cares and how the program relates to that months issue. To opt out of the WA Cares program, a client must submit an exemption application to the Employment Security Department (ESD) sometime between October 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022. } 21-ANN-44 Washington State LTC Trust Act Created Date: 5/5/2021 9:47:59 AM . Once approved, you dont need to reapply. The Office of the State Actuary (OSA) is responsible for providing recommendations to the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Commission and the Legislature on actions necessary to achieve and maintain trust solvency, per Chapter 50B.04.030 RCW.In addition, OSA will perform actuarial valuations of the WA Cares Fund beginning in 2024 (the LTSS trust fund was renamed the WA Cares Fund . How do I get a refund for my WA Cares premiums?If youre up to date with Paid Leave reporting and payments and have a credit balance on your account, you can request a refund for any WA Cares premiums included with your Paid Leave payment. Theres plenty to know about WA Cares, and were committed to making your experience as easy as possible by providing the tools and information you need. var doesEsp = doesEspbase.split('/')[3]; Learn more at wacaresfund.wa.gov today. if (!results) return null; Washington is the first state in the nation to make long-term care more affordable for workers. It is a lot like Social Securityeveryone pays so that everyone who needs this benefit can access it. The Commission will submit this analysis on benefit portability to the Legislature at the end of 2022. console.log(doesNotFound); Step 1: You must purchase LTCi before Preview / Show more . Employer responsibilities Collecting premiums var checkHead = ''; If you dont keep up, your policy could lapse and leave you without coverage. Workers contribute about 58 cents for every $100 earned and, when vested, can access the benefit. I included my WA Cares premium payment with my Paid Leave payment. Thank you, your request has been submitted. Most immediately, premium collection for WA Cares wont begin until July 2023. Note: this letter will list the effective date of the employees exemption. Can I cover the cost of my employees premiums?Yes. Do WA Cares contributions top out at the Social Security cap?No. The typical DSHS long-term care client uses 96 hours per month. Learn more, Can I opt back into WA Cares if I lose my private long-term care coverage?No. Calculate the total premium amount for each of your employees. Questions? A press release from WA Cares Fund. The lawsuit, which was filed last November on behalf of three . The fund was established by the Legislature in 2019, and levies a 58 cents per $100 payroll tax, which will start coming out of worker's paychecks across the state in January 2022. Check out thishelpfulinfofrom Paid Family and Medical Leave. Connect with DSHS & ESD About DSHS About ESD Work for WA Locate a DSHS Service Office Report Abuse, For More Information Facebook Twitter YouTube Medium WA Cares Email Sign-Up Employer Information (ESD) Email Sign-up, Copyright 2021 DSHS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. If your employers continue to withhold premiums, they must return them to you. Access to information about WA Cares should be easy. Beginning on January 1, 2022, employers will initiate payroll deductions for the WA Cares Fund, designed to make long-term care (LTC) affordable for all state residents. makeNo = 404; Visit ourLearn Morepage to read our frequently asked questions, including specific questions for employers. To be eligible for benefits, you must have met the WA Cares contribution requirements by the time you apply. With the establishment of Washington's Cancer Research Endowment (CARE Fund), Washington State is making a new commitment for sustained investment in cancer research, prevention, and care, with the aim of reducing long-term health costs, saving lives, and relieving pain and suffering. The WA Cares Fund makes affordable long-term care coverage available to all Washington workers. function callHeader(methodType) { The program will be financed by Washington State W-2 workers through payroll deductions - $0.58 for each $100 earned. } If you have already withheld premiums for employees this year, you have 120 days from the date premiums were collected to reimburse them. Washington workers will soon start paying a new payroll tax to fund a first-of-its-kind long-term care program.. Workers pay in and later can tap the fund for services like home-care aides. An no hemos traducido esta pgina al espaol. Once you are determined eligible, you have access to the lifetime $36,500 benefit to use flexibly to address your needs. Take a look: Its affordable. You cant apply for exemptions on behalf of your employees. Please note, our customer care specialists cant quote timelines for individual applications. Here are some things you may want to consider. And a full-time professional who earns $100,000 a year . This would cost between $40 to $160 per month depending on age and gender, but total benefits compounded at 3% inflation may far exceed the Trust Act benefits at . var newURL = baseURL + URL; 17335 Golf Parkway Suite 100 Brookfield, WI 53045 USA Tel +1 262 784 2250 milliman.com MILLIMAN REPORT . The last day to apply for an exemption is December 31, 2022. Are the file specifications for quarterly reports changing?ESD released new file specifications for Paid Leave and WA Cares Fund quarterly reporting last fall, and those specifications will not change. Fill out the form below and a staff member will be in touch with you as soon as possible. Questions? What services will WA Cares Fund provide?WA Cares Fund will pay for care where you need it, whether its in-home or in a facility. Look no further! Let's start with the tax formula. var regex = new RegExp('[?&]' + name + '(=([^&#]*)|&|#|$)'), Inslee signeda billthat delays parts of WA Cares implementation by 18 months and makes changes to exemptions. $('#noTranslationExists').addClass("dontShow"); For now, there's one window to opt out . Once the 10 . The Act, a first-of-its-kind law, provides Washington workers with long-term care benefits (called the Washington Cares Fund) and is funded by a payroll tax (beginning January 1, 2022) on. Youll be permanently excluded from coverage and benefitseven if youre unable to afford to maintain your private insurance policy in the future. Were reviewing applications in the order we received them and will send you a confirmation email after we process your application. We have not yet translated this page into Spanish. Description: SHB 1732 delays the WA Cares Fund program by eighteen months. Jay Inslee has signed two bills, House Bill 1732 and House Bill 1733, which make changes to the WA Cares Fund, a first-of-its-kind program ensuring all Washingtonians have access to affordable long-term care when they need it. Washington state is the first in the nation to develop a way to make long-term care affordable for all workers in the state as we age. In 2022, the Legislature made key improvements to the program and shifted the timeline for implementation. If youre self-employed, you can choose to opt in and protect yourself with affordable WA Cares Fund benefits. The bill also changes eligibility requirements for individuals born before January 1, 1968, allowing them to qualify for partial benefits. . Lo sentimos. Theres plenty to know about WA Cares,andwere committed to making your experience as easy as possible with helpful info and resources. The LTSS Trust Act established the Washington Cares Fund in 2019. Starting in 2025, the WA Cares Fund will provide eligible workers up to $36,500 for care at home or in a long-term care facility. [CDATA[ A part-time worker who earns $10,000 in a year pays $58, for example. WA Cares Fund and WA Cares are service marks of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. As many of us watch our parents and grandparents age, we start to wonder, who will take care of me when I get older and how will I afford it? WA Cares Fund gives members access to a lifetime benefit amount they can use on a wide range of long-term services and supportsshould you need it. Check out our employer newsletter for regular WA Cares updates. According to AARP, 48% of people who need long-term care only need it for one year or less. COVERED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS }else{ 1 Matt Fraser Sep 10, 2021 at 03:48 PM WA Cares Fund: When Will Solution Be Available? You must also need help with activities of daily living. However, until WA Cares reporting begins in October 2023, employers can submit reports using either the old or new format. if (esIndex != spanish) { Please let us know if you want us to make it a priority and we will work to translate it as soon as possible. As a Washington employer, you are required to report your employees wages and hours and pay premiumseveryquarterunless you had no payroll expenses during that quarter. WHY IT MATTERS Addressing the Need NOTE: You only pay WA Cares Fund premiums while youre workingnot after retirement. $('#noTranslationExists').removeClass('dontShow'); To pay for that, the program will impose a 0.58% payroll tax on employees in Washington about $290 per year for somebody making $50,000 annually starting in July 2023. name = name.replace(/[\[\]]/g, '\\$&'); Effective Date: SHB 1732 contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately. Contact: media@esd.wa.gov State agencies begin implementing improvements to WA Cares Fund . NOTE: Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) is now called WA Cares Fund. Contributions Washington workers will pay up to $0.58 per $100 of earnings. On Jan. 27, Gov. This program does not have underwriting and is fully funded by pooling workers wages and investing them with the State of Washington for WA Cares Fund beneficiaries to use when they need long-term care. Washington workers will begin earning coverage in January 2022 by paying a little over a half a percent of wages into the WA Cares Fund. The WA Cares Fund is an affordable long-term care insurance program for all working Washingtonians. Is there a daily limit to WA Cares Fund benefits?WA Cares Fund is a flexible benefit you can use to meet your care needs up to $36,500 with no daily limit. Sign up for our mailing list! Exemptions When can I test the new CSV file specifications?Employers can test the new CSV file specifications starting in April 2022. If they choose to apply for an exemption, they have to do it themselves. Sign up for our mailing list. var noTranslation = pathname + qstring; The Act requires WA employees to fund these benefits through a "premium assessment" (i.e., tax) on their wages, initially set to begin on January 1, 2022. Employers must return incorrectly withheld premiums to the employee. WA Cares Fund can provide complete financial relief for families who are paying out of pocket for in-home long-term care for a full year and substantial relief for individuals who receive care in a residential setting. Qualified employees who have vested into the Fund and need long-term care can begin receiving WA Cares benefits starting July 1, 2026 (as opposed to January 1, 2025 in the original Act); and Employees who own long-term care insurance can apply for an. resolve(xhr.response); var spanish = 'esp'; The strain on family caregivers is only increasing as our population ages and the number of people needing care grows. Delays the start date for premium assessments under the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program (the LTSS Trust Program, also known as WA Cares or the WA Cares Fund) from January 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023. $('#rBtnDiv').addClass("dontShow"); If premiums are not assessed for the PFML program, they will not be assessed for WA Cares Fund. We no longer have to worry about how we will afford long-term care as we age. Originally advertised as the Washington Long-Term Trust Act, it will now be known as the "WA Cares Fund". function getQString(name, url = window.location.href) { OLYMPIA - Gov. if(translatePage == 'no'){ }); January: Exemption applications available for certain groups, July: Benefits become available for qualified, eligible individuals. norah.west@dshs.wa.gov. Most immediately, premium collection for WA Cares wont begin until July 2023. WA Cares Fund and WA Cares are service marks of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Weve got your back. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 27, 2022. The Legislature delayed parts of the WA Cares implementation by 18 months, so employers wont begin withholding premiums until July 1, 2023. See below for further info. Learn more. If either of those dates are missed, the employee will be enrolled in WA Cares and must be assessed premiums by the employer. The WA Cares Fund is for all workers in Washington. It has to meet criteria, defined by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC), for private policies to qualify. Each month, WA Cares hosts a webinar via Zoom to discuss a new topic related to aging and caregiving. As many of us watch our parents and grandparents age, we start to wonder, "who will take care of me when I get older and how will I afford it?" There is no option to cash out the contributions youve made if you do not use benefits. Once you are provided the letter and the effective date has passed, you must stop withholding premiums. xhr.send(); Published on Monday, September 13, 2021. console.log("proceeding"); } Exemptions for these workers will only remain valid if the exemption criteria are met (e.g., if a worker living out of state moves to Washington, they would no longer be considered exempt). Others include dementia supports, memory care, care transitions, personal emergency response systems, and more. News Release. 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. if (xhr.status === 200 && doesEsp == 'esp' && makeNo != 404){ The WA Cares Fund, created by the state Legislature in 2019, is a long-term care insurance benefit designed to help residents stay in their homes as they age. Connect with DSHS & ESD About DSHS About ESD Work for WA Locate a DSHS Service Office Report Abuse, For More Information Facebook Twitter YouTube Medium WA Cares Email Sign-Up Employer Information (ESD) Email Sign-up, Copyright 2021 DSHS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. UPDATE: On January 27, 2022 Governor Inslee signed two bills passed by the Legislature making key improvements to LTSS/WA Cares Fund. If, however, you work for a military department that is considered a Washington state employer, you will be included in WA Cares Fund. The WA Cares Fund is a mandatory long-term care insurance benefit established by Washington state law in 2019. WA Cares Fund can provide complete financial relief for families who are paying out of pocket for in-home long-term care for a full year and substantial relief for individuals who receive care in a residential setting. WA Caresreportingwill be fully integratedfor your convenience. var newEnglishLink = newURL.replace(/,/g, "/"); If your employers continue to withhold premiums, they must return them to you. Governor Inslee signed the LTSS Trust Act into law. $('#removeMsgBtn').click(function(){ DSHS will also ask about cognition and any memory/cognitive impairments that impact your daily life. var secondPath = window.location.href.split("/"); When can I apply for an exemption?Exemption applications became available on October 1, 2021. $36,500 maximum benefits. Is your organization interested in hearing directly from WA Cares staff or our partners? }); var translatePage = getQString('translation'); After putting a temporary hold on implementation of the WA Cares Fund pending expected legislative fixes, Washington Governor Jay Inslee has now signed HB 1732-2021-22 officially delaying implementation until July 1, 2023. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); - You can do nothing. checkHead = newEnglishLink + window.location.search; You may qualify for an exemption to the WA Cares tax, potentially resulting in thousands of dollars in annual savings. 10 years without a break of 5 or more years. See below for further guidance. // if page not found comes up force status to 404 Those eligible for WA Cares benefits must be Washington residents who have paid premiums into the program for either a total of 10 years without interruption of five or more consecutive years, or three years within the last six years from the date the application for benefits is made, the complaint states. By contributing a small amount from each paycheck while were working, we can all pay for long-term care when we need it. Starting July 1, 2026, benefits can be used to purchase long-term care services which may include professional care, equipment, home safety evaluations, and/or compensation for family members who provide care. The program is funded through a payroll tax imposed on employees working in Washington, starting January 1, 2022. . checkHead = newSpanishLink.slice(0, -1); Excited to learn more about the WA Cares Fund? Can I participate in WA Cares?WA Cares is not available to federal government employees, including active duty military employees. If, however, you fail to present your approval letter to your employers, they have no responsibility to return premiums. For other questions about the program, you can call 844-CARE4WA toll-free or contact us by email. When do I need a qualifying long-term care insurance policy to be eligible for an exemption?You must have purchased a qualifying long-term care insurance policy before November 1, 2021. For questions about the program, you can call 844-CARE4WA (844-227-3492) toll-free or contact us by email. The Office of the State Actuary has published initial actuarial projections of the long-term financial status of WA Cares Fund as well as frequently asked questions on this issue. Under this law, individuals will have access to a lifetime benefit amount that, should they need it, they can use on a wide range of long-term services and supports. var localizationLink = document.getElementById("link"); It offers choice. According to AARP, 48% of people who need long-term care only need it for one year or less. Unlike Paid Family and Medical Leave, premium contributions do not top out at the taxable maximum for Social Security. Youstill have the option tooffer private long-term care insurance to your employeesbutits theirresponsibility to decide whether to apply for an exemption. //
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