OLYMPIA - Washington employers will begin deducting premiums from Washington workers’ paychecks on Saturday for the Washington Cares Fund, announced a news release from the Washington State Employment Security Department. The Cares Fund is the state’s new long-term care insurance program.

“Most of us will need some form of long-term care but don’t have a way to pay for it,” said Washington Cares Fund Director Ben Veghte. “Washington Cares will make a modest but critical amount of long-term care coverage affordable for all Washington workers for the first time.”

Workers will contribute 0.58% of each paycheck during their working years to be able to access a $36,500 lifetime fund that is adjusted annually for inflation, according to the ESD’s statement. Employers must manage these deductions and keep track of employee exemptions. The money is intended to pay for long-term care services, including professional in-home care, making a loved one a paid caregiver, home safety modifications, meal delivery and transportation.

The release describes several specific exemptions to the programs that workers can apply for, including three new conditional exemptions and one permanent exemption. The conditional exemptions are for workers who are a spouse or registered domestic partner of an active-duty U.S. armed forces member, work in Washington but live out of state or have a temporary non-immigrant visa. The permanent exemption is for veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability.

For more information for employers and workers, visit wacaresfund.wa.gov.