Washington State made history on July 1, 2026, when the WA Cares Fund became the nation's first publicly funded long-term care insurance program to begin paying benefits. If you or a loved one qualifies, you may have available funds in lifetime benefits to spend on services that help you live safely and independently at home — including home modifications.
Ace Handyman Services of Tri-Cities is a registered WA Cares provider for environmental modifications. That means eligible beneficiaries in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, and the surrounding Tri-Cities area can use their WA Cares benefits, if approved to pay for home safety modifications completed by our licensed, bonded, and insured craftsmen — and you may be able to use your WA Cares benefit to pay for the modifications.
Here's what you need to know.
What are "environmental modifications" under WA Cares?
Environmental modifications are changes to your home that support your health, safety, and independence. Under WA Cares, this benefit category covers projects such as:
Grab bar installation in bathrooms and hallways, wheelchair ramps and threshold ramps, widened doorways for walker or wheelchair access, bathroom safety retrofits (walk-in access, comfort-height fixtures, hand-held shower conversions), stair railings and secondary handrails, improved lighting for fall prevention, and lever-style door hardware for easier grip.
These are exactly the kinds of aging-in-place projects our Tri-Cities team has been completing for years. The difference now is that qualifying Washington residents may be able to utilize their WA Cares benefits instead of out of pocket.
Who qualifies for WA Cares benefits?
You may be eligible if you meet two requirements:
- Contribution requirement. Most Washington workers have been contributing to WA Cares automatically through payroll deductions since July 2023. Even part-year contributions may have earned you usable benefits.
- Care needs requirement. You must need assistance with at least three activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, managing medications, or moving around your home.
- To apply, create a benefits account at wacaresfund.wa.gov or call 844-CARE4WA (844-227-3492). A family member or representative can help you apply, and phone and in-person application support is available.
How do I use my WA Cares benefits with Ace Handyman Services?
The process is straightforward:
- Get approved as a WA Cares beneficiary. Apply through the WA Cares Fund and complete the care needs assessment.
- Contact us. Call Ace Handyman Services of Tri-Cities at (509) 676-4986 and let us know you'd like to use your WA Cares benefits for environmental modifications. We'll schedule a visit to scope the project and provide a quote.
- Pre-authorization. Before work begins, we submit a pre-authorization thorough the WA Cares team, which will be sent to you for approval. This confirms the project is covered under your benefits.
- We complete the work. Our background-checked craftsmen complete your modifications with the quality and professionalism the Ace name is known for.
- WA Cares pays us directly. You don't pay out of pocket for covered work within your benefit amount, and providers cannot charge you more than the state's maximum rates for covered services.
How much of my benefit should I use on home modifications?
Your WA Cares benefit has a lifetime maximum amount, and it covers many services beyond home modifications — in-home care, home-delivered meals, transportation, and more. The state encourages beneficiaries to budget carefully.
The good news: many of the highest-impact safety modifications are also among the most affordable. A set of properly installed grab bars, a secondary stair railing, or a threshold ramp can dramatically reduce fall risk for a modest portion of your benefit — often preserving the majority of your funds for ongoing care needs. When we visit your home, we're happy to help you prioritize the modifications that deliver the best safety outcomes.
Why choose Ace Handyman Services of Tri-Cities?
You choose your own WA Cares provider — there are no case managers assigning one to you. When comparing providers in the WA Cares directory, here's what sets us apart:
We're a locally owned in Kennewick, WA and a trusted home repair and home modification contractor. Our craftsmen are licensed, bonded, insured, and background-checked. We specialize in aging-in-place and home safety work, not just one-off repairs. And we're local — serving Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, and the greater Tri-Cities area.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ace Handyman Services of Tri-Cities a WA Cares provider? Yes. We are a registered WA Cares provider for environmental modifications, serving the Tri-Cities, WA area.
Do I pay anything out of pocket? For covered services within your available benefit amount, WA Cares pays us directly at approved rates. Providers cannot charge beneficiaries above the state's maximum rates for covered work. If you'd like additional work beyond what WA Cares covers, we can quote that separately.
Can my adult children arrange this for me? Absolutely. Family members frequently coordinate estimates and scheduling on behalf of a parent. The beneficiary approves the pre-authorization.
What if I'm not sure whether I qualify? Call WA Cares at 844-CARE4WA or visit wacaresfund.wa.gov to check your eligibility and apply. Then call us at (509) 676-4986 when you're ready to plan your modifications.
How long does pre-authorization take? Timelines vary by project or service type.
Ready to make your home safer?
If you or a loved one has WA Cares benefits and wants to stay safe and independent at home, we'd be glad to help.
Call Ace Handyman Services of Tri-Cities at (509) 676-4986 or visit us at acehandymanservices.com/offices/tri-cities-washington to schedule a consultation.
Ace Handyman Services of Tri-Cities is a registered WA Cares provider for environmental modifications. WA Cares eligibility and benefit approval are determined by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, not by Ace Handyman Services. For official program information, visit wacaresfund.wa.gov.