The WA Cares Fund program’s is getting ready for the first quarterly long-term care premiums (in the form of a payroll tax) for most workers in July of this year. In preparation, WA Cares Fund has released a new employer toolkit to help employers communicate about the WA Cares Fund program and premiums to employees. WA Cares Fund is also planning a webinar, WA Cares Fund Basics: What Employers Need to Know, for May 18.

Unlike the Paid Family & Medical Leave program, employers themselves are not liable for any portion of the premium, only collecting and remitting an employees’ premiums to the program.

Some employees may be exempt from WA Cares Fund premiums. Exempted employees needed to obtain alternative insurance by November of 2021 and get approved for an exemption by the Employment Security Department by December 2022. Exempted employees are required to present a copy of their ESD exemption approval letter to their employers to avoid premiums being withheld.

ESD is holding a hearing on proposed rules on May 9 to better align employer reporting requirements for both the WA Cares Fund long term care program and the Paid Family & Medical Leave program. The call-in information for the meeting is below:

Rulemaking Hearing
When: May 9, 9 am
Join online: Click here to join the meeting.
Join by phone: 564-999-2000 PIN: 853-918-562#