Washington’s WA Cares begins benefit payments July 1, offering up to $36,500 for long-term care support

Governor Bob Ferguson announced that Washington’s WA Cares program will begin issuing benefits July 1, describing the state’s longtime effort to provide financial help for long-term care and praising the ability of beneficiaries to remain at home.

"Beginning tomorrow, July 1, thousands of Washingtonians can access their WA Cares Fund benefits to help cover the cost of an in‑home caregiver, equipment, home modifications, meal delivery and others," Ferguson said, noting the event took place at the home of beneficiary Evelyn Wade.

Bea Rector, assistant secretary in the Home and Community Living Administration at the Department of Social and Health Services, laid out who can qualify and how much they might receive. Rector said eligibility depends on years of work with contributions (vesting based on at least 500 hours in a year) and on the assessed need for assistance with activities of daily living. "You will either be able to access the full benefit amount, which is $36,500, which will grow with inflation in years to come, or a partial benefit based on those factors of years of work," Rector said. She directed applicants to wacaresfund.wa.gov and a toll‑free number for help applying and to request a program statement showing their contribution history.

Rector also described the payroll contribution employees pay: "It's 58 cents for every $100 earned," she said, adding DSHS actuaries project roughly 135,000 Washingtonians may access WA Cares benefits over the next 10 years and that about 3.7 million working Washingtonians currently contribute into the program.

Family caregivers and advocates who spoke at the home described the program’s practical effect. Sonia Thomas, who cares for her aunt Evelyn, said caregiving includes daily tasks such as cleaning, preparing meals, helping with transfers and taking clients to appointments: "I've even had clients who need Hoyer lifts to move," she said, and added that supports help clients "live independently as possible in their own homes." Christina Keys, a family caregiver advocate, said the benefit will help people obtain mobility tools, home remodeling and transportation just after a sudden health event. "That first time that we're there, when that happens emotionally...that $36,000 gives us a point where we can take a breath and figure out what we need to do next," Keys said.

Kathleen McCall, advocacy director for AARP Washington, emphasized the scale of unpaid family caregiving in the state and called WA Cares a "safety net" for caregivers. Justin Gill, president of the Washington State Nurses Association, said the program could reduce preventable hospital visits by supporting in‑home care, and retired physician Colin Romero thanked the state for the legislation and noted personal family experience with caregiving.

Officials answered audience questions about portability and vesting. Rector said the law now allows contributors who have paid in for at least three years to elect to continue contributions after leaving Washington and that benefits can be paid outside the state beginning in 2030. She described a near‑retiree track and permanent vesting options tied to years paid in.

Rector advised that individuals can request a program statement showing how many years they have paid in and what they have paid, which can inform whether they continue contributing or seek alternatives. The program’s website and a toll‑free number are available for assistance with applications and records.

Ferguson said other governors and state officials routinely discuss policy innovations and that he expects interest from other states in Washington’s approach. He and DSHS officials said the law can evolve and that officials will continue to evaluate improvements such as the portability change already adopted.

The event concluded with thanks to the hosts and an invitation for attendees to tour the home and capture b‑roll. Next steps for individual applicants are to check contribution history or apply at wacaresfund.wa.gov or by phone.