This compilation is a summary for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice. Please contact the relevant goverment agencies or other professionals if you have questions or concerns about your particular situation.

Health insurance

• Washington Health Benefits Exchange has opened a special enrollment period for Health Insurance in Washington through April 8, 2020 to qualified individuals who are uninsured.

• Apple Health(Medicaid) enrollment is open year-round.  There is an income limit.

• United We Dream maintains information on healthcare access for undocumented residents.

The Washington State Insurance Commissioner has announced that insurers are now required to waive co-pays and deductibles for testing for COVID-19. 

Paid Family and Medical Leave
Washington's Paid Family & Medical Leave program, which SEIU 925 supported as a bill in the state legislature in 2017, provides partial wage replacement to employees who are sick or caring for a sick family member. This is a state insurance program, not a benefit provided by your employer — employers pay a premium into the insurance fund, and workers should be able to access it when they need to take extended leave for a specific set of reasons (which are much more limited than what you’re allowed to use employer-provided Paid Sick Time for).

The Paid Family & Medical Leave program provides partial wage replacement for workers who need to take extended leave. It’s designed to cover up to 12 weeks of leave for workers dealing with serious illness or other specific family needs.

The Paid Family & Medical Leave benefit is designed for serious illness that goes beyond what accrued sick time is likely to cover. During the crisis, it may be available to employees who:

• Are seriously ill
• Are caring for a seriously ill family member

Please note: there is a large backlog in the PFML system that means it currently takes about 10 weeks to get approved, and then apply. For workers who need immediate relief, PFML isn't ideal as a first line of defense.

• Accessing PFML requires documentation from a healthcare provider that you (or a family member) are unable to work due to a serious health condition.
• If you are self-employed or an independent contractor, you can access Paid Family & Medical Leave if you’ve opted in to pay premiums (0.25% of your income). If you haven’t opted in already, you can still access PFML for a current condition by opting in now and paying premiums for this quarter.
• You can apply for Paid Family & Medical Leave here

More info on how PFML applies during the coronavirus crisis here