WA Cares: Resources for Unions
What is WA Cares?
WA Cares pays for workers to get care they need due to a car accident, pregnancy complications, Cancer, or other serious illness. WA Cares fills the gaps left by workers’ compensation, Medicaid, and health insurance.
Many union members will end up getting more money from WA Cares than they put in.
Benefits will be available as soon as 2026 for people facing an emergency situation. Applying for benefits
Did you know? Nothing prohibits labor union members from demanding employers cover WA Cares payroll deductions.
The WA Cares Fund pays for:
- professional home care aide to help you with meals, bathing, more
- family member’s time caring for you
- wheelchair ramps, shower bars, other home modifications
- wheelchairs, lifts, and other medical equipment
WA State Labor Council Briefing For Unions
Zoom briefing on 6/29/23 Featuring Ai-Jen Poo, National Domestic Workers Alliance; April Sims, WSLC; Ben Veghte, WA Cares; Maddie Foutch, SEIU 775; and Melissa Watts, worker.
WA Cares Info Email
This email is ready for you to use to share information about WA Cares, contributions, benefits, and community impact.
WA Cares FAQ
Here are answers for the most-asked questions on WA Cares contributions, benefits, coverage, and more!
WA Cares Overview
Overview of WA Cares benefits, coverage, importance, and comparison with private insurance.
Impact Report
Numbers and data on the communities WA Cares will benefit across the state. Updated May 2023.
Dani’s Story
Dani was partially paralyzed in a routine medical procedure at age 30. She’s still working, so when she needs care at home someday, WA Cares will be there for her and her family.
Anthony’s Story
Anthony has lupus, so many long-term care insurance carriers will deny any policy or coverage. WA Cares will be there for him when he needs help with daily tasks due to his lupus.
Social Media Posts & Graphics
Social media posts & graphics to share WA Cares impact. Graphics are linked in the document and below.
Social Media Images
Background Information & Reports
WA Cares Background Memo for Media (May 2023)
Get The Facts: WA Cares Pays For Long-Term Care At Home For Working Washingtonians (May 2023)
Impact Report: More than 3 Million Washingtonians Soon Building WA Cares Benefits (June 2023)
U.S. and Global Approaches to Financing Long-Term Care: Understanding the Patchwork (February 2023)
How Much Care Will You Need? Long-term care is not just for seniors. 40% of us needing assistance with daily living activities are under 65.
Compare Your WA Cares Benefits to Private Insurance and Medicare. Easy to use calculator
Number of Americans With Preexisting Conditions by District for the 116th Congress (2019) 57% of non-elderly adults have a pre-existing condition like cancer, diabetes, MS, Lupus, high blood pressure, or asthma, disqualifying them from private long-term care insurance.
News Headlines
Washington’s new tax could be a solution to fund long-term care (NPR)
New long-term care program will offer families crucial support at tough times (WA State Standard)
How Does Washington’s Long-Term Care Fund Compare With Private Insurance? (Part 1 of 2) (Retirement Daily)
New long-term care program supports elder care in our state (Federal Way)
WA’s long-term care plan is a national first and a win for residents (Seattle Times)
Washington State’s New Payroll Tax Helps Fund Long-Term Care. Could It Be a Model for the Nation? (U.S. News & World Reporter)
Letter: WA Cares is worthwhile (Columbian)
WA Cares will make a difference (Go Skagit)
WA Cares is essential lifeline (Columbian)
WA Cares: Peace of mind for long-term care (Seattle Times)
Washington’s long-term care payroll tax starts July 1, as other states explore similar programs (Associated Press/ABC News)
Long-term care: WA Cares will improve quality of life (Seattle Times)
WA Long-Term Care Benefits Program Lifts Off in July (PRN)
As long-term care needs grow, WA Cares offers long-term solution for working Washingtonians (Spokesman Review)
States Try Easing the Burden of Long-Term Care’s High Cost (New York Times)
Opinion: WA Cares isn’t perfect, but it’s a necessary start (Yakima Herald)
In Our View: Ensure WA Cares Fund goes according to plan (Columbian)
WA Cares benefit provides a bridge (Columbian)
Unpaid caregiver grateful for new WA Cares Fund (Camas-Washougal Reporter)
Grateful for WA Cares program
(GoSkagit)
Washington Cares Fund lauded as valuable safety net (Columbian)
WA state is a leader when it comes to managing long-term care (Tri City Herald)
Editorial: What good is that new payroll deduction? (Everett Herald)
WA Cares program set up to help our expanding aging population (Kitsap Sun)
‘Ready to go’: State prepares to collect, invest funds for WA Cares program (Center Square)
Washington Cares Fund goes into effect on July 1 (Olympian)
WA Cares paycheck deductions begin July 1. Here’s what you should know (King 5)
Everett Son’s Struggle To Get Mom Into Assisted Living (Everett Herald)
WA Cares: ‘Financially stable and just’ (Seattle Times)
WA Cares Fund addresses challenges (Spokesman Review)
Caregiver shortage: Challenging to afford help (Seattle Times)
Letter: WA Cares can help (Columbian)
WA Cares offers state’s residents a safety net (Spokesman Review)
Thankful for Randall’s support of WA Cares (GigHarborNow)
Kudos for support of WA Cares program
(Sequim Gazette)
WA Cares provides needed help
(Columbian)
What happens when the day comes that we ourselves need care?
(Clark County Today)
“We’re lucky to be in a state that’s innovating ways to help us keep from going bankrupt when we face health challenge”
(Union-Bulletin)
Groups gather in Olympia to discuss Washington ‘Age Wave’
(MyEdmonds)
States, other countries offer insights into making long-term care more affordable: Report
(McKnights)