(1) An employee who has long-term care insurance as outlined in RCW 50B.04.085 and attests to this, may apply through December 31, 2022, for a permanent exemption from the premium assessment under RCW 50B.04.080. "Long-term care insurance" has the meaning provided in RCW 48.83.020.

(a) Only an employee who is eighteen years of age or older on the date of application may apply for an exemption.

(b) The employee must provide identification that verifies their age at the time of application.

(c) The department may verify an employee's long-term care insurance coverage and may request additional information from the employee.

(2) Beginning January 1, 2023, an employee who is a veteran of the United States military and has a service-connected disability rating by the United States department of veterans affairs of 70 percent or greater may apply for a permanent exemption from the premium assessment under RCW 50B.04.080.

(a) The employee must provide information sufficient for the department to verify their identity.

(b) The employee must provide documentation of their service-connected disability rating at the time of application.

(c) The department may verify an employee's service-connected disability rating and may request additional information from the employee.