Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)

Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Act

In 2019 the state enacted a long-term care insurance benefit for all eligible Washingtonians, funded by worker contributions into a Trust Fund.  The Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Act is the first of its kind in the United States and is the latest example of the state’s standing as a national leader in long-term care policy. The LTSS Trust both protects our workers against the economic and social risks of needing long-term care as they age and better positions the state to cope with the fiscal and economic costs of the coming age wave and long-term care challenge.

Under this law, individuals will have access to a lifetime benefit of $36,500 that will be adjusted annually for inflation. Beginning in January 2022, workers will pay $0.58 per $100 of earnings. Beginning in January 2025, workers who have vested in the Trust and need long-term care will be able to access their earned LTSS Trust benefits. These benefits 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. 

LTSS Trust Act Timeline

2019 – Governor Inslee signed 2SHB 1087 into law.

2022 – Working Washingtonians begin paying premiums.

2025 – Benefits begin for qualified beneficiaries needing long-term care.

Why the LTSS Trust is Important

• 7 in 10 Washingtonians who turn 65 today will need long-term services and supports within their lifetimes.
• The vast majority of seniors today must rely on family members or Medicaid to provide care.
• To access Medicaid long-term care, people must spend down their life savings and impoverish themselves to qualify for financial support.
• Family caregivers who leave the workforce to provide unpaid long-term services and supports forgo their own income and lose critical health and retirement benefits.

What the Law Will Do

The Benefit:

Beginning January 2025, each person who is eligible to receive the benefit will be able to access services and supports worth up to $36,500 over their lifetimes.

The nominal value of this benefit will increase over time to keep pace with inflation.

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 $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 vest in the Trust, you must have worked:
  
  • At least ten years without a break of five or more years, or
  • Three of the last six years
  • and at least 500 hours per year during those years.
• To be eligible for benefits, you must 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 here.

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