The Legislature and Gov. Inslee have announced plans to change and improve the WA Cares Fund during the 2022 legislative session, which is scheduled to conclude in March 2022. Per direction from the governor, the WA Employment Security Dept. (ESD) will not collect premiums from employers until April 2022 or until the Legislature gives further direction.
However, the existing law still directs employers to begin collecting premiums from their employees beginning Jan. 1. Each employer will need to decide whether they will implement the law as it stands or await legislative action.
The ESD website will be updated as more information becomes available and you can sign up for the WA Cares Fund mailing list. For employer-specific information, you can also subscribe to ESD’s employer newsletter.
Posted January 7, 2022