Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Act
The Washington State Legislature established a long-term care insurance benefit for all eligible Washington employees, funded through a payroll premium. The Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust act has placed our state as the first in the nation to take such a bold step toward addressing the future long-term care crisis.
Under this law, individuals will have access to a lifetime benefit amount that will be adjusted annually in order to maintain purchasing power over time. Beginning January 2022, Washington workers will pay up to $0.58 per $100 of earnings. Each person who is eligible to receive the benefit can access services and supports costing up to $36,500. The benefit will launch in January 2025 and can be used for a range of services and supports, including:
- professional care at home, licensed residential or nursing facilities
- home safety evaluations
- home-delivered meals
- training, pay and support for family members who provide care
- rides to the doctor
- Adaptive equipment and technology like wheelchair ramps and medication reminder devices.
Self-employed individuals can opt-in to the trust to receive the benefits and those who have long-term care private insurance can opt-out of the trust.
LTSS Trust Act Timeline
2019 – Governor Inslee signs 2SHB 1087 into law.
2022 – Working Washingtonians begin paying premiums.
2025 – Benefits begin for qualified beneficiaries.
Why the LTSS Trust is Important
- 7 in 10 Washingtonians over the age of 65 will need long-term services and supports within their lifetimes.
- Seniors without long-term care insurance must rely on family members or Medicaid to provide care.
- To pay for long-term care, many people must spend down their savings to qualify for financial support.
- Family caregivers who leave the workforce to provide unpaid long-term services and supports lose their own income and health and retirement benefits.
What the Law Will Do
The Benefit:
Beginning January 2025, each person who is eligible to receive the benefit can access services and supports costing up to $36,500.
The nominal value of this benefit will increase over time to maintain purchasing power.
The benefit will be available to be used for a range of services and supports, including:
- Professional care in your home, a licensed residential facility or a nursing facility
- Adaptive equipment and technology like wheelchair ramps and medication reminder devices
- Home safety evaluations
- Training, pay and support for family members who provide care
- Home-delivered meals
- Care transition coordination
- Memory Care
- Environmental modification
- Personal emergency response system
- Respite for family caregivers
- Transportation
- Dementia supports
- Education and consultation
- Eligible relative care
- Services that assist paid and unpaid family members caring for eligible individuals
- In-home personal care
- Assisted living services
Trust Contributions: 
- Washington workers will pay up to $0.58 per $100 of earnings.
- Every employee contributes – employers do not.
- If you are self-employed, you can opt-in to the Trust.
Vesting in the LTSS Trust:
- To receive the benefit, you must have worked:
- At least three of the last six years or ten years without a break of five or more years
- At least 500 hours per year during those years, and
- Need assistance with at least three activities of daily living such as:
- Medication management
- Personal Hygiene
- Eating
- Toileting
- Cognitive Impairment
- Transfer Assistance
- Body Care
- Bathing
- Ambulation/Mobility
- Dressing
Download the LTSS Trust Informational One-Pager.
Contact Us
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Benjamin Veghte