Not for municipalities

The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), administered by Benefit Strategies, allows state employees to pay for qualified dependent care expenses for children under age 13 and disabled adult dependent - including day care, after-school programs, elder day care, and day camp.

Download the HCSA and DCAP list of eligible expenses doc format of FSAeligible_expenses_list.doc and the 2013 Open Enrollment Flexible Spending Account Brochure pdf format of 2013 Open Enrollment Flexible Spending Account Brochure file size 3MB for details and an overview, respectively.

The program allows a participant to contribute up to $5,000 per family annually on a pre-tax basis as a payroll deduction. For taxpayers in a 28% income tax bracket, a $5,000 contribution to the DCAP would save an estimated $1,400 in taxes.

Eligibility and Monthly Fee

All active state employees who work half-time or more and have employment-related expenses for a dependent child under the age of 13 and an adult dependent are eligible for DCAP benefits.

For the 2013 calendar year, the monthly administrative fee for DCAP alone, HCSA alone, or HCSA and DCAP combined remains $3.60 per month on a pre-tax basis.

 

DCAP Enrollment

New Employees

New employees may enroll for partial year benefits. For DCAP, coverage begins on the first date of employment.

Open Enrollment and Enrollment During The Year

The DCAP and HCSA plan year is January through December. Open enrollment for these programs will take place October 14 - December 6, 2013 for 2014 benefits. You must re-enroll each year. Employees who have a "qualified" family status change during the plan year, as outlined on the enrollment and change form may enroll during the year.

How do I get reimbursed for my dependent care expenditures?
As you incur qualified expenses, file a claim for reimbursement with using a DCAP Claim Form. All submitted claims must be accompanied by supporting documentation noted on the claim form.

What if I don't use all of the money elected to DCAP?
If the annual election is not used by the end of the tax year, according to IRS requirements you forfeit the remaining account balance. There is a 2 1/2 month grace period after the plan year ends (March 15 of each year) to incur expenses to be applied to the prior year balance. The GIC recommends that you carefully evaluate your estimated annual dependent care expenditures when you enroll.

FSA Reimbursement Filing Extension

Due to the tragic events that took place in Boston on April 15, 2013, the GIC is extending the filing deadline for 2012 HCSA and/or DCAP expenses from April 15, 2013 to April 30, 2013.

If you have Health Care Spending Account and/or Dependent Care Assistance Program Account-eligible expenses that have taken place between January 1, 2012 and March 15, 2013, that you would like to apply to your remaining 2012 balance, if applicable, please submit these to Benefit Strategies by Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

 

Learn about and manage your DCAP account online:

  • Account Balances
  • Claims Received
  • Claims Processed
  • Dates when Checks were Paid
  • Download Forms

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) Questions?
 

Contact Benefit Strategies

1-877-FLEXGIC (1-877-353-9442); flexgic@benstrat.com

HCSA/DCAP Participant Handbook FY2013 doc format of HCSA/DCAP Participant Handbook FY2013
 

This information provided by the Group Insurance Commission.