Benefits from the WA Cares Fund, W

Benefits from the WA Cares Fund, Washington’s new long-term care insurance program that started last year, now can be used by Washingtonians who pay into it and later move to another state.

The Legislature earlier this year made the benefits portable beyond the state’s borders. Starting in July 2026, people who need the benefit and have contributed enough to it can access it. The maximum benefit is $36,500.

Money for the benefit comes from automatic deductions from workers’ paychecks. The contributions stop if a workers retires.

A ballot measure in this fall’s election, brought by a petition signed by voters, seeks to make enrollment in WA Cares optional.

WA Cares was initiated by the Legislature to help people pay for long-term care due to illness, accident, or late-in-life medical needs.

that started last year, now can be used by Washingtonians who pay into it and later move to another state.

The Legislature earlier this year made the benefits portable beyond the state’s borders. Starting in July 2026, people who need the benefit and have contributed enough to it can access it. The maximum benefit is $36,500.

Money for the benefit comes from automatic deductions from workers’ paychecks. The contributions stop if a workers retires.

A ballot measure in this fall’s election, brought by a petition signed by voters, seeks to make enrollment in WA Cares optional.

WA Cares was initiated by the Legislature to help people pay for long-term care due to illness, accident, or late-in-life medical needs.