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Can you give your benefit to a spouse or family member?
No. The lifetime benefit amount is available to eligible beneficiaries who have
contributed to the fund and cannot be transferred to another family member. By all of
us pooling a small amount of our paycheck into one fund ($0.58 for every $100 earned)
throughout our careers, the program can remain affordable and cover more people in
the long term. If WA Cares benefits were transferrable to a spouse or family member,
the premium would need to be much higher.
Can I withdraw money from WA Cares?
No. WA Cares is an insurance program, not a savings account. By all of us pooling a
small amount of our paycheck into one fund throughout our careers, the program can
provide access to long-term care for the people who need it. Everyone who meets
contribution requirements and has a care need gets access to the same lifetime
benefit amount ($36,500, adjusted annually for inflation).
Can I still get benefits if I contribute to the fund but don’t meet
contribution requirements?
No. Because the WA Cares Fund is self-funded by worker contributions, benefits can
only be paid to people who have paid in as workers for a number of years. You may be
able to access other long-term care services and can reach out to your local Area
Agency on Aging (contact info at www.agingwashington.org).
EXEMPTIONS
Who qualifies for an exemption?
There are several types of exemptions:
• Workers who had private long-term care insurance before Nov. 1, 2021 were
eligible to apply for a permanent exemption until Dec. 31, 2022. The timeframe
for applying for this type of exemption has closed. If you have an approved
private insurance exemption, you will continue to be exempt permanently and
(under current law) are not able to enroll in WA Cares.
• Veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability can apply for a
permanent exemption. Applications for this type of exemption became
available Jan. 1, 2022 and are available on an ongoing basis.
• Some workers can apply for a conditional exemption. If you live out of state, are
a temporary worker with a non-immigrant visa, or are a spouse/registered
domestic partner of an active-duty service member of the U.S. armed forces,
you can apply for an exemption. Applications for these exemptions became
available Jan. 1, 2022 and are available on an ongoing basis. You will qualify for