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The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) allows you to take a pre-tax deduction for eligible dependent care expenses from your pay. You save money because you do not pay income tax on the amount of your deductions. You can use DCAP instead of taking the Child and Dependent Care Credit when you file your tax return. Compare DCAP to the IRS Child and Dependent Care Credit described at the IRS website.
The University sends your DCAP payroll deduction to your DCAP account which is administered by ASIFlex, our third party administrator. You pay dependent care expenses out of pocket and then you request reimbursement from your DCAP account by submitting a reimbursement claim form to ASIFlex.
You can obtain your account balance in either of two ways:
If you choose to participate in the DCAP program, it is important that you estimate your dependent care expenses for the coming year carefully, and that you obtain reimbursable services by December 31 of the year in which you participate in the program. Any funds that remain in your account for a given year are forfeit to the State of Washington if ASIFlex has not received your reimbursement claim by March 31 of the year after which you incurred eligible expenses.
All UW employees who are eligible for PEBB benefits are also eligible to participate in the DCAP program except:
You may enroll in the DCAP program:
Current plan participants MUST re-enroll in the plan each year in order to continue participation. Open Enrollment is held during the month of November each year prior to January 1 of the following year, the date when the DCAP goes into effect.
New hires who wish to enroll in a DCAP account must do so within 31 days from date of hire. Participation becomes effective the first day of the month following receipt of the properly completed enrollment form.
Current University employees experiencing a qualifying life event may enroll in a DCAP account within 60 days from date of the qualifying event. Participation becomes effective the first day of the month following receipt of the properly completed enrollment form. See qualifying life events.
To qualify as a dependent under the program, an individual must normally be a member of your household, receive more than one-half of his or her total support from you, and fall within the definitions specified below (and in IRS Child and Dependent Care Expenses Publication 503):
DCAP contributions are limited to;
The amount of your contribution cannot be more than either your earned income or your spouse's earned income, whichever is less. Earned income means wages, salaries, tips, and other employee compensation plus net earnings from self-employment.
Using a DCAP account reduces the salary on which your Social Security benefits and any unemployment compensation benefits are calculated.
Request reimbursement online:
Request reimbursement via paper form:
Upon leave of absence, layoff, or termination of employment, you can no longer participate in DCAP. Only bills for services incurred prior to your leave of absence, layoff, or termination date can be submitted for reimbursement.
| US Mail Address | UPS or FedEx Address |
|---|---|
| ASIFlex PO Box 6044 Columbia, MO 65205-6044 |
ASIFlex 201 W. Broadway, Suite 4C Columbia, MO 65203 |
Customer Service Center Phone: 1-800-659-3035
Claim Submission Fax: 1-877-879-9038 (toll-free)
Customer Service Email: asi@asiflex.com*
ASIFlex Website: http://pebb.asiflex.com/
*Emailed claims will not be accepted.
DCAP Topics