by Vee Hua 華婷婷
To support the long-term care needs of Washington State residents as they age, including residents not covered by existing Medicare or health insurance, the WA Cares Fund has begun collecting additional taxes for future services and supports.
Working Washingtonians will contribute to a shared fund and eventually receive more back than they contribute, though some exemption applications are available for certain groups. Collectively, the funds will likely not cover the full extent of long-term care each person will eventually need, but will serve as a meaningful supplement.
This program, called the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust Act, was created in 2019 and is the first of its kind in the U.S. The Washington State Legislature modified it in 2021 to improve coverage for adults with disabilities that onset prior to age 18. In 2022, the Legislature also offered a "pathway to partial benefits for near-retirees" and established "voluntary exemptions for certain groups (out-of-state workers, workers on non-immigrant visas, military spouses, and veterans 70%+ disabled)," explains the WA Cares Fund website.
Benefits will be available starting in 2026 for certain qualified and eligible individuals. Similar programs are now being considered by other states.
Projects and community-led groups that increase economic opportunities and support job creation around the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) area can now apply for the South King County Community Impact Fund Economic Recovery Program. Port-related industries that are covered include aviation, maritime, construction trades, and green career industries.
Funding is available for up to $100,000 for a single year of funding or $250,000 in multiyear funding, and communities from historically underserved communities in South King County are encouraged to apply.
According to a press release from the Port of Seattle, the following six projects received funding during the last cycle:
The first step in the application process is an Eligibility Determination phase. Apply by July 21, 2023, at the Port of Seattle website.
Translations are available in Amharic, Arabic, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese.
This summer, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Human Services Department, and United Way of King County have partnered for the Summer Meal Program, which will offer free meals and recreation activities Mondays through Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from July 12 to Aug. 25.
Services will be available at 11 park sites across the city, rain or shine. In South Seattle, they are available at the following locations:
No fee, sign-up, or proof of identity or legal status is required to receive summer meals. A full list of locations can be found on the City of Seattle's Parks and Rec website.
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Vee Hua 華婷婷 (they/them) is a writer, filmmaker, and organizer with semi-nomadic tendencies. Much of their work unifies their metaphysical interests with their belief that art can positively transform the self and society. They are the editor-in-chief of REDEFINE, a long-time member of the Seattle Arts Commission, and a film educator at the interdisciplinary community hub, Northwest Film Forum, where they previously served as executive director and played a key role in making the space more welcoming and accessible for diverse audiences. After a recent stint as the interim managing editor at South Seattle Emerald, they are moving into production on their feature film, Reckless Spirits, which is a metaphysical, multilingual POC buddy comedy. They have a master's in Tribal Resource and Environmental Stewardship under the American Indian Studies Department at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
📸 Featured Image: Photo by Chinnapong via Shutterstock.com
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Before you move on to the next story …
The South Seattle Emerald™ is brought to you by Rainmakers. Rainmakers give recurring gifts at any amount. With around 1,000 Rainmakers, the Emerald™ is truly community-driven local media. Help us keep BIPOC-led media free and accessible.
If just half of our readers signed up to give $6 a month, we wouldn’t have to fundraise for the rest of the year. Small amounts make a difference.
We cannot do this work without you. Become a Rainmaker today!