Q:  Whose expenses qualify under my Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)?

A. Your work-related expenses must be for the care of one or more members of your home who are qualifying persons. You must provide over ½ of the qualifying person’s support. The qualifying person cannot have income in excess of the Federal exemption amount.

A qualifying dependent is:

• Your qualifying child under the age of 13, who shares the same residence with you, or
  
  Your spouse or qualifying child or qualifying relative who is physically or mentally unable to care for him/herself who shares the same residence with you and has income less than the Federal exemption amount.

If you are divorced, you must have physical custody of your child for over half of the year, in order to be eligible for reimbursements through your flexible spending account. If custody is exactly equal then neither parent can use the childcare expenses.  The parent who has more than 50% custody is eligible for the dependent care regardless of who claims the tax exemption.

Physical or mental incapacity must be disabling.  Persons who are not able to dress, clean or feed themselves because of physical or mental problems are considered unable to care for themselves.  Persons with mental defects who require constant attention to prevent them from injuring themselves or others are considered unable to care for themselves.

A: Qualifying expenses are those for medical care for the participant, their spouse (if filing a joint tax return), and a qualified child or qualified relative. You may also claim medi

Q:  Does my dependent care provider have to be a licensed day care center?

A. They do not have to be licensed, unless they care for enough individuals to require licensing in your State. They must provide you with their Tax ID Number or Social Security Number.  You will need this number for the required filing of Form 2441 (or Schedule 2, if filing a 1040A) with your Federal tax return.

Additionally, the care provider cannot be a relative of your that lives in the same household or your dependent that is under the age of 19 (even if they don't live in the same household).

 

Q:  Why do I have to sign my claim form?

A. The regulations in the Internal Revenue Code (Section 125) require that a participant provide a statement, with each claim submitted, that the expenses claimed were not paid by insurance or other means and reimbursement will not be sought from another party.

 

Q:  What documentation do I have to submit with my claim form?

A. In order to receive reimbursement, you may either have your dependent care provider sign the ASIFlex claim form (in which case no additional documentation is required) or submit a statement from your provider that includes:

• The dates of service;

• A description of the services provided;

• The amount charged for the service;

• The name of the provider; and

• The name of the person for whom services were provided.

 

Q:  Can I use my Flex Funds Debit Card to pay for DCAP expenses?

A. No.  The Flex Funds Debit Card is for Health Care expenditures only.  The card will be declined if you try to make a purchase at your dependent care provider's office.

 

Q:  Do I have to send the original provider statements or insurance benefit statements?

A. No.  Copies of provider statements are acceptable, as long as they are legible and have not been altered.

 

Q:  Do I have to provide proof of payment before being reimbursed through my DCAP?

A. No.  Proof of payment does not need to be submitted with your DCAP.  If you only submit proof of payment to substantiate your expenses (e.g. a paid receipt, canceled check, credit card receipt, etc.), your claim will not be processed.

 

Q:  Can I fax my claims, and, if so, to what phone number?  Is this a toll-free number?

A. Yes, you may fax your claims to ASIFlex.  ASIFlex's fax number for claim submission is (866) 381-9682.  This is a toll-free call from anywhere in the United States.

 

Q:  Where do I get more claim forms?

A. You may make copies of a blank claim form or download additional forms online.  Additionally, please feel free to contact ASIFlex's Customer Service Department to request additional forms.

 

Q:  How often are claim payments released?

A. ASIFlex generally releases payments each business day, excluding major holidays, for claims processed that day. 

 

Q:  Are direct deposits to my bank account effective with my bank the same day that a claim is processed?

A. No.  Federal banking regulations do not allow the deposit to be effective te day the deposit is generated by ASIFlex.  Therefore, the effective date of the deposit is the banking day following the release of payment of the claim by ASFlex.

Q:  Do my Kindergarten charges qualify for my DCAP?

A. No. Expenses for education do not qualify for your Dependent Care FSA. However, if you are charged for “after-care” for the portion of the day that your child attends the school that is charged for care and well-being, this charge does qualify for the Dependent Care FSA. Your provider must provide you with support for the charges for the portion that is specifically for care and well-being.

 

Q:  Can I change my election after the plan year has started?

A. Generally, you cannot change your election after the beginning of the plan year.  Please refer to the Washington Flex Enrollment Book for specific information.