WA Cares Fund Is Now Live: What Washington Families Need to Know

The WA Cares Fund officially became available in Washington on July 1, 2026, creating a new way for eligible residents to help pay for long-term care services and supports.

For many families, this is an important change. Long-term care is not just nursing home care. It can include help at home, caregiver support, transportation, meals, home safety modifications, bathroom safety equipment, and care supplies that help a person remain safe, clean, and independent.

Need Official WA Cares Information?

Visit the official WA Cares website at https://wacaresfund.wa.gov for eligibility requirements, applications, covered services, and participating providers. You can also call 844-CARE4WA (844-227-3492) for assistance.

What does WA Cares cover?

Eligible WA Cares beneficiaries may be able to use their benefit for covered long-term care supports such as:

·         In-home care

·         Help from a qualified family caregiver

·         Home-delivered meals

·         Transportation

·         Home safety evaluations

·         Grab bars, ramps, and accessibility modifications

·         Bath benches, transfer benches, lift chairs, and other assistive equipment

·         Incontinence products, adult briefs, hygiene supplies, and related care supplies

The current lifetime benefit is designed to help Washingtonians receive support before a care situation becomes overwhelming.

Who may qualify?

To use WA Cares, individuals must meet both contribution requirements and care needs requirements.

The care needs review looks at whether a person needs assistance with at least three activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating, medication management, mobility, transferring, or toileting.

Why this matters for caregivers

Many families wait until a fall, hospitalization, or health crisis before seeking assistance. WA Cares may help families take action earlier.

For example, a caregiver may notice that a parent is struggling to get into the shower safely, avoiding outings because of bladder leakage, or having difficulty managing toileting independently. Addressing these issues early can help preserve dignity, improve safety, and reduce caregiver stress.

How to get started

Families can apply through WA Cares online or by phone. Once approved, beneficiaries can work with participating providers to obtain covered services and supports.

Professional Medical is committed to helping Washington families understand their options for incontinence supplies, bathroom safety equipment, and home care products that support independence at home.

Official WA Cares Resources

The WA Cares Fund is administered by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) in partnership with the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) and the Employment Security Department (ESD).

Official Resources

·         Website: https://wacaresfund.wa.gov

·         Apply for Benefits: https://wacaresfund.wa.gov/apply

·         Help & Support: https://wacaresfund.wa.gov/help-support

·         Phone: 844-CARE4WA (844-227-3492)

Questions About Home Care Products?

Professional Medical

·         Website: https://professionalmedicalcorp.com

·         Phone: 800-741-3996

·         Email: customerservice@professionalmedicalcorp.com

Professional Medical has proudly served Washington families since 1995 and is available to answer questions about incontinence supplies, bathroom safety equipment, and other home care products.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational purposes only. Professional Medical is an independent medical supply provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the WA Cares Fund, DSHS, HCA, or ESD.