May 14, 2019
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler says signing House Bill 1087 into law is a good step toward helping Washington residents deal with the costs of long-term care. Gov. Jay Inslee signed the bill into law yesterday.
The legislation, better known as the Long Term Care Services and Support Trust Act (www.leg.wa.gov), would provide up to $36,500 in assistance toward long-term care costs. Washington residents will begin paying premiums through their workplace in January 2022.
Benefits will be available to qualified residents beginning January 2025.
Kreidler noted the new benefits can be combined with other options, such as long-term care insurance policies, to help pay for needed assistance.
“This program can help people avoid impoverishing themselves to get care in their older age,” Kreidler said. “Most people don’t even think of buying a long-term care policy until they are much older and the cost is prohibitive.
“This new program will have many more people paying in from a younger age. This will help keep costs down and provide many with greater options for long-term care in the latter part of their lives. This program offers some needed peace of mind.”