Dependent Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Last updated August 18, 2009 11:46:56 AM PDT

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Learn about the Dependent Flexible Spending Account (FSA), which lets you pay for eligible dependent care expenses on a pre-tax, salary reduction basis.

The Dependent Flexible Spending Account (FSA), administered for UC by CONEXIS, is a voluntary program established under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 129. FSAs let you pay for medical or dependent care expenses not covered by insurance with pre-tax funds.

Eligibility

You can participate in Dependent FSA if you:

Are an active employee appointed by the university to work at least 50% time for one year or more, or 100% time for 3 or more months
Worked 1,000 hours in a 12-month period
Work at least 43.75% time

Visit the At Your Service pages on Eligibility and the FSA Eligible/ Ineligible Expenses for more information.

Note: If you are married, both you and your spouse (unless your spouse is incapable of self-care or is a full-time student) must have earned income during the year. Eligible expenses would be considered.

Enrollment

You can enroll using any of these methods:

Online through At Your Service
Submitting the UPAY 919 (PDF)
During annual Open Enrollment (November)

For details, read the Summary Plan Description (PDF) or see the At Your Service page on Enrollment.

You can't change Dependent FSA contributions during the year unless you experience a qualifying event. These include:

Legal marital status
Number of eligible dependents
Dependent eligibility, including a child reaching age 13
Employment status that causes a gain of benefit eligibility
Cost or coverage (i.e., your dependent care expenses increase or decrease or you change child care providers or the amount of time needed for child care)

Reimbursement

Dependent FSA allows reimbursements up to the amount you have contributed to date. For details about claim reimbursement, see At Your Service.

To request reimbursement use either of these methods:

To submit a manual claim for reimbursement for out-of-pocket payments:

Log into CONEXIS and complete an online form
Print the online form, sign it, and send it to:
CONEXIS Spending Accounts
P.O. Box 660427
Dallas, TX 75266-0427
Fax: 1-800-482-4174

Note: CONEXIS will process only claims dated on or after Jan. 1, 2009. If you have a 2008 balance, SHPS will continue to handle claims for those funds.

More about 2008 accounts: SHPS will process claims for 2008 only. If you have unclaimed funds in the 2008 account, you have until March 15, 2009, to incur eligible expenses and until June 15, 2009, to submit the claim. Internal Revenue Service rules require forfeiture of any balance remaining after these dates.

To determine your estimated tax savings, use the Dependent FSA calculator.

For more information, contact your Benefits representative.

Notice: The information on this page summarizes provisions of university policies and/or collective bargaining agreements. Refer to the Personnel Policies for Staff Members (PPSM) or applicable collective bargaining agreement for full text of referenced information.