2010 Dependent Care Flex Benefit Enrollment Forms Due Nov. 24

Under Section 125, employees may deduct out-of-pocket dependent care expenses from their paychecks on a pre-tax basis. The dependent care benefit allows you to pre-tax child, spouse or elder care expenses that you incur in order to allow you (and your spouse, if married) to work. If married, both spouses must be working in order to claim dependent care expenses. A dependent is defined as:
• A dependent of the employee who is under 13 years of age
• A dependent or spouse who is physically or mentally disabled

Heartland’s dependent care flex benefit year runs from January 1 – December 31. Anyone interested in participating for 2010 should complete the dependent care enrollment form and return it to Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, by Tuesday, November 24. Click here to download the form.

Things to keep in mind about dependent care:
• The maximum amount you may flex per calendar year is $5,000.
• Claims will be processed by Kabel Business Services within 48 hours of receipt.
• You may be reimbursed for dependent care expenses only after the expense has been incurred and the amount you are requesting has been deducted from your paycheck.
• A change of election is allowed when changes occur in cost or coverage. To do this, a Change of Election form (available on the Intranet) must be completed within 30 days of the allowed change.
• Expenses that may be run through a dependent care flex plan include day care, before or after school care, day camp (but not summer school), pre-school or nursery expenses.
• Sitters can be grandparents or other relatives (not dependents), friends or neighbors. They will be required to report all monies received under their social security or federal ID number.
• When completing your enrollment form, the total amount must be equally divisible by 24 pay periods.
• There is only one fee charged to participate in the flex benefit plan. If you participate in medical flex spending, there will be no additional fee to participate in dependent care. Fees are $2.50 per pay period.

If you have any questions, contact Kabel Business Services at (515) 224-9400 or (800) 300-9691 or Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at ext. 14385 or kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us.