January 2022 Notice to Employees
NEW PAYROLL DEDUCTION – WA STATE LONG TERM CARE (LTC)
A law establishing employee payroll deductions for state long term care went into effect on January 1, 2022. There has been news regarding whether this premium collection will begin in January.
The Governor directed the Employment Security Department (ESD) to pause collecting this new LTC premium from employers, giving the legislature time to work out details. Employers throughout the state must decide how best to approach this collection question. (For example, employees who work directly for the State of Washington in Olympia will still have premiums deducted beginning in January. A link to statement regarding collection for the LTC program from Governor Inslee’s office is below for reference.)
Spokane Public Schools will deduct the state LTC premium from employee’s paychecks, following the example of the State of Washington, beginning with the January 2022 payroll.
The legislature is currently considering a bill that would push state LTC collections to a later date. The proposed bill includes the provision that employers who deducted from employees before the new date, “shall refund the premiums to the employee.” If this bill passes, Spokane Public Schools would refund applicable premiums to employees as required.
As has been shared over the last several months, employees seeking an exemption to the state LTC premium deduction must have:
- Enrolled in an outside LTC plan before Nov. 1, 2021
- Requested and received an approval letter from the Employment Security Department stating exemption from the state LTC premium collection.
- Submitted that letter to Payroll & Benefits in person or via email to SPSPayroll@spokaneschools.org no later than January 20th, 2022.
Even if a Spokane Public Schools employee has enrolled in an outside LTC plan, steps 2) and 3) above must be taken or the employee will also have the state premium deducted.
Governor’s statement: https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-payments-collected-long-term-care-program
September 2021
WA Cares Fund: Exemption applications available Oct. 1
WA Cares Fund: Affordability, choice, peace of mind
Washington is the first state in the nation to develop a public plan that makes long-term care insurance affordable. WA Cares Fund gives members access to a lifetime benefit they can use on a wide range of long-term services and supports—should they need it.
What if my I already have a long-term care plan?
Workers who hold existing long-term care insurance or purchase a new private policy before Nov. 1, 2021, can apply for an exemption from WA Cares coverage. If workers are approved for an exemption, they will be permanently excluded from WA Cares benefits.
Workers pay WA Cares premiums only while they’re working—not after retirement
Private long-term care insurance usually requires payments even if people aren’t working. That can mean making payments while on a fixed income throughout retirement, or even while unemployed. That’s why it’s important for workers to compare the lifetime cost, not annual cost, of private plans vs. WA Cares.
If you are considering a WA Cares exemption, check out our Exemptions page to weigh your options.
Workers with approved exemptions will never be eligible for WA Care benefits. If you decide to apply, applications will be available starting Oct. 1, 2021.
Join a live webinar
We’re inviting workers to attend live informational webinars where you can learn more about what benefits are available, how to vest and other details about the state’s approach to providing long-term care coverage. You’ll have an opportunity to speak directly with WA Cares Fund staff and get questions answered. Pre-registration to attend is not required.
Did you miss it?
- Our contact info is available if you need assistance.
- Stop by our Learn more page to read frequently asked questions.
August 2021
WA Cares: Affordability, choice, peace of mind
Washington is the first state in the nation to develop a public plan that makes long-term care affordable. WA Cares Fund gives members access to a lifetime benefit you can use on a wide range of long-term services and supports—should you need it.
What if I already have a long-term care plan?
If you hold existing long-term care insurance or purchase a new private policy before Nov. 1, 2021, you can apply for an exemption from WA Cares coverage. If you’re approved for an exemption, you will be permanently excluded from WA Cares benefits but you won’t be required to pay premiums.
Remember: You pay WA Cares premiums only while you’re working—not after retirement.
Private long-term care insurance usually requires continuous payments—even if you aren’t working. That can mean making payments while on a fixed retirement income or even while unemployed. That’s why it’s important to compare the lifetime cost, not annual cost, of private plans vs. WA Cares.
If you’re considering a WA Cares exemption, check out our Exemptions page so you can weigh your options.
Workers with approved exemptions will never be eligible for WA Care benefits. If you decide to apply, applications will be available starting Oct. 1, 2021.
Did you miss it?
- We launched a brand new Learn More page to address your frequently asked questions! Check it out for clarification on key program details. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, please email wacaresfund@dshs.wa.gov.
- You can now join live webinars to learn more about WA Cares Fund and get your questions answered. Webinars are held each week and pre-registration to attend is not required.
- We published a new flyer on our website to teach you about our program. Check it out!
July 2021
WA Cares Fund: What you need to know
Washington 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. The WA Cares Fund team wants to speak with you about how to vest, what benefits are available, and why Washington is using this approach to provide long-term care coverage. You’ll have an opportunity to speak directly with WA Cares Fund staff and get your questions answered.
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. In 2025, the first generation of Washingtonians will become temporarily vested and can begin using benefits.
Check out our flyer for more information about WA Cares or visit our Learn More page to view dates and times for live WA Cares Fund webinars.
June 2021
WA Cares Fund: Age confidently in Washington
Washington is the first state in the nation to make long-term care more affordable for workers. 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 is a new fund to which we all contribute while we’re working, and through which we can access long-term care when we need it.
How WA Cares benefits Washington workers
- It’s affordable. The WA Cares Fund is an affordable long-term care insurance program for all working Washingtonians.
- It offers choice. WA Cares empowers us to control how and where we receive long-term care.
- It provides peace of mind. We no longer have to worry about how we will afford long-term care as we age.
The benefit is flexible
People who have a need for long-term services and supports may begin applying for benefits in January 2025. At that time, vested individuals can use their WA Cares benefits for a range of services and supports, such as:
- Professional personal care in your home, an assisted living facility, an adult family home or a nursing home.
- Adaptive equipment and technology like hearing devices and medication reminder devices.
- Home safety evaluations.
- Training and support for paid and unpaid family members who provide care.
- Home-delivered meals.
- Care transition coordination.
- Memory care.
- Environmental modifications like wheelchair ramps.
- Personal emergency response system.
- Respite for family caregivers.
- Transportation.
- Dementia support.
- Education and consultation.
