Opening Nov. 3: Dependent Care Enrollment for 2015

Our online enrollment for the 2015 dependent care flex benefit plan will be open to eligible employees on Nov. 3. If you are a full-time employee or a Certified Union employee working a 96-day contract, you are eligible to participate. All eligible employees need to either enroll during this period or waive participation through the enrollment process. 

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 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 
• A spouse who is physically or mentally disabled 

The maximum amount your family may flex per calendar year is $5,000. All claims must be incurred by Dec. 31 and submitted for reimbursement within 60 days of the end of the plan year (March 1). 

In the upcoming weeks, look for an article that will walk you through how to either make your dependent care election for 2015 or waive dependent care. Dependent Care enrollment will be closed on Nov. 28 at 4:00 p.m. As a reminder, all dependent care expenses for the 2014 plan year must be incurred by Dec. 31, 2014 and must be submitted to Kabel Business Services for reimbursement by March 1, 2015. 

 If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at jhouseman@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14315.