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Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

CONTENTS

UNDERSTAND

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:

  1. Call ASIFlex's Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-3035.
  2. Go to ASIFlex's account website and choose the "Account Detail" button. Enter the Flex PIN that was sent to you with your enrollment confirmation (also included on each periodic statement). If you do not have a PIN call the Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-3035.

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.

Eligibility

All UW employees who are eligible for PEBB benefits are also eligible to participate in the DCAP program except:

Enrollment

You may enroll in the DCAP program:

Enrollment Requirements

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.

Qualifying Dependents

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):

  1. Your dependent child was under age 13 when you provided care,
  2. Your spouse was not able to care for him/herself due to physical or mental disability, and who lived with you for more than half of the year, or
  3. A person who was not able to care for him/herself due to physical or mental disability, and lived with you for more than half the year, and was either:
    1. Your dependent, or
    2. Someone who would have been your dependent except that:
      1. He/she had gross income of $3,300 or more,
      2. He/she filed a joint return, or
      3. You, or your spouse if filing jointly, could be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s income tax return.

Contribution Limits

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.

Impact on Other Benefits

Using a DCAP account reduces the salary on which your Social Security benefits and any unemployment compensation benefits are calculated.

ACT

Paper Enrollment for 2012

  1. Review the eligibility and enrollment requirements above to ensure that you can enroll in a DCAP account.
  2. Estimate the amount of eligible dependent care expenses you expect to incur during the calendar year.
  3. Download and complete the 2012 DCAP Enrollment Form. Be sure to indicate the "University of Washington" on the form.
  4. Please do not send the enrollment form to the UW Benefits Office, but rather fax it directly to ASIFlex at 1-877-879-9038 (toll-free) or mail it to ASIFlex, P.O. Box 6044, Columbia, MO 65205-6044.

Submit Claims for Reimbursement

Request reimbursement online:

  1. Go to http://pebb.asiflex.com/
  2. Under "Quick Links," choose "File a Claim Online"
  3. Enter your ASI pin number, click "begin" and follow the online instructions.

Request reimbursement via paper form:

  1. Download and complete the reimbursement claim form according to instructions on the reverse side of the form.
  2. Fax or mail the form and required documentation to ASIFlex at the fax number or address shown below.
  3. Note: You may either provide documentation from the day care provider or have the provider complete the DCAP section of the form, then sign and date the form. You do not need to do both.

Continuation of Benefits

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.

Contact Information

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.

EXPLORE

DCAP Topics