WA Cares

Washington state’s long-term care benefit

Most of us are completely unprepared for the moment we need long-term care when it arrives. That’s why, in 2019, caregivers fought to pass WA Cares, the nation’s first long-term care social insurance program. With WA Cares, we’ll pay less than one percent of wages and (after contributing for a few years) will access a benefit of up to $36,500 (grows over time) to pay for long-term care, including in-home care from family or professional caregivers or nursing home care.

Workers in Washington pay into the WA Cares benefit via a payroll deduction of $0.58 per $100 earned. Benefits of up to $36,500 (grows over time) in long-term care coverage begins in 2026.

Learn more about WA Cares benefits at WACaresFund.wa.gov.  

Read more about why caregivers and others support WA Cares at WeCareforWACares.org.

Learn about the impact WA Cares will have in your community here.