Staff reports early applicant data: 769 determinations, 220 approvals, 41% denial rate at contribution stage

At the data session, Employment Security Department and DSHS staff laid out early‑stage program metrics and county‑level provider coverage.

Rebecca Grady (ESD) reported that about 4.5 million workers have contributed premiums since the program began and that the permanent 10‑year pathway will not have beneficiaries until 2032. "About 0.5 of all workers with any contributions since the program started would currently qualify under the temporary pathway if they were to apply today," Grady said, explaining age‑band dynamics and how the temporary pathway dominates early eligibility counts.

Elena Tortellat (DSHS) provided applicant and assessment counts: more than 6,700 WA Cares accounts have been created, 769 people submitted contribution‑determination requests, roughly 59% of applicants met contribution requirements at that stage, and 227 assessments were completed with 220 approvals for benefits. "The average number of days between contribution determination and when someone completes their assessment is around 12 days," Tortellat said, noting the statutory target of 45 days.

Tortellat and other staff emphasized that the primary cause of contribution‑stage denials is applicants who have not met the required 500 hours in qualifying years. The department has updated account information and application guidance (annual statements, FAQs and webinar content) to reduce inadvertent or premature applications. Staff also mapped provider coverage and said for many counties provider availability is adequate in core services but that services including adult day, nursing homes, assisted living and nurse delegation still show coverage gaps in substantial portions of the state.

Commissioners asked for ongoing monitoring of denial rates, outreach effectiveness and timeliness metrics; staff agreed to track whether recent interface changes lower denial rates.