OLYMPIA, Wash. — Hundreds of Washington state in-home caregivers went without pay Thursday after a system error at Consumer Direct Care Network Washington blocked early direct deposit payments.
**UPDATE: Caregivers confirmed to PNW Daily that they did see the delayed paycheck as promised on Friday, May 15, by CDWA’s recording that welcomed caregivers calling in to find out why they had not been paid.
“We are aware of concerns about possible late payments and are tracking the issue and are in touch with CDWA,” SEIU 775 Secretary-Treasurer Adam Glickman said Friday. “Payday is today, and if correct payments are not made today, we will certainly file a grievance with the company.”
On Thursday, workers who care for the state’s most vulnerable residents found themselves unable to pay bills, buy gas or cover basic expenses with their normally day-early paychecks. Many banking companies advertise the perk, but warn it is not guaranteed given it is dependent on the employer’s payroll system.
The failure hit Individual Providers — Medicaid-funded in-home caregivers employed through CDWA. These workers expected payment to arrive overnight Wednesday into Thursday. Instead, they woke to empty accounts.
CDWA Acknowledges the Failure
CDWA acknowledged the problem through a recorded message on its customer service line Thursday morning. “We are aware that some that get paid a day early on their paychecks did not get paid May 14,” the recording stated. “All employees will be paid May 15th, 2026.”
But caregivers who reached a live representative heard something different. In a call described to PNW Daily by a caregiver, a CDWA customer service representative described the outage as “a system error and we don’t know when it will be resolved.” The representative said the company was “hoping for the end of the day.”
Multiple caregivers confirmed their paystubs appeared in ADP, Workday and on Wisely prepaid cards. Payroll had processed. The funds simply never transferred to their bank accounts.
“I’m Now Negative”: Caregivers Describe Real Financial Harm
The impact landed immediately. Diane Kitchen said caregivers gather in a Facebook group to stay connected, since they never see each other working across the state. Some members reported they woke to automatic bill payments that drained their accounts while their paychecks never arrived.
“I normally am paid today, always hits my bank at 3am,” one caregiver wrote in the group. “I’m now negative cause my bills are going through.”
Kitchen, the caregiver who first contacted PNW Daily about the outage, had to borrow money from her daughter for gas before driving to her first client. “I was thinking I was gonna get paid and then gas before going to my clients,” she wrote.
One caregiver wrote that she spent more than 21 minutes on hold with CDWA. “I can’t survive without my paycheck, because as usual I had to borrow money from my friends and cash app just to get through till this paycheck,” she wrote. “I don’t know what to do.”
Another caregiver said she tried repeatedly to reach CDWA and could not get through. “I have my paystub available online on ADP and workday, but no money,” she wrote. “I’ve never had this happen before. Im so annoyed right now. I can’t even get through to call anyone.”
They continuously keep doing this to us like our stress level doesn’t already sit at max capacity. Caregiver Burnout is absolutely real, but I’m starting to think there’s such a thing as CDE Burnout too.
— Washington caregiver, via CDWA Caregiver Group on Facebook
Workers Describe a Pattern of Payroll Stress
For many caregivers, Thursday’s failure was not an isolated event. “They continuously keep doing this to us like our stress level doesn’t already sit at max capacity,” one caregiver wrote. “Caregiver Burnout is absolutely real, but I’m starting to think there’s such a thing as CDE Burnout too. Constant pressure, constant fighting, constant disappointment, and being treated like we don’t matter wears people down mentally and emotionally.”
Caregivers in affected worker groups suggested escalating to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries and filing complaints with the Attorney General. At least one caregiver confirmed she contacted SEIU 775, the union representing more than 50,000 long-term care workers in Washington, to file a grievance.
A Recurring Problem
CDWA employs approximately 46,000 Individual Providers statewide. These workers deliver in-home personal care and respite services to Medicaid clients through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. The company took over administrative payroll control of Washington’s in-home caregiver workforce in 2022 under a nine-year, $572 million contract.
Thursday’s failure fits a pattern. The 2022 transition from direct state oversight triggered widespread payment delays. SEIU 775 filed a grievance on behalf of affected workers at that time. Then in November 2024, a compressed ProviderOne claims deadline ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday pushed some providers’ wages into the following week.
CDWA did not respond to request for comment.
Affected caregivers can report wage complaints to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries at Lni.wa.gov or by calling 1-800-423-7233.
Frequently Asked Questions
This article was updated 5/15/2026.
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Thank you for spreading the word 🫶
You’re welcome, Diane!
They also have a number of issues with their system. My hours keep getting doubled. They are aware that their system is doing this and at times paying double. Yet it keeps happening.
Then we had them hacked and all ( or most ) had their bank accounts hacked and the money taken out. They said they sent emails/texts. I never did until it was too late.
Some folks do not get paid correctly. Again they are aware.
Where is their accountability?
I have to ck my time to make sure it has not doubled. Then correct it. It still at times goes back to doubled or zero outs all the hours. I have had them correct my hours on their end and it still paid double hours. Again they are aware.
They have many issues. It is frustrating and stressful.
Y’all know the listed payday is May 15th and no one is guaranteed their paycheck before the Pay day.
May 15th 2026 is the official pay date. Early pay is something that a person’s bank does. It’s not guaranteed.
Keep on top of CDWAs failures please! This company has been the worst. Our union is not innocent either. They both just point fingers at each other getting their pay while caregivers are stuck dealing with the never ending screw ups.
Perhaps their pay needs to stop when our pay stops. The union workers are supposed to be working for union members but never miss a paycheck. They have no sympathy for union workers.
This company is absolutely horrible
Constant changes. Uncertainty if anyone will get paid. Our governor needs to get involved.
After midnight, our official pay date now and shocker theres no pay check.
Sometimes an overnight deposit doesn’t drop until after 2 am. Hopefully it was there when you woke up.