The DCRA allows you to set aside pre-tax money for eligible dependent care expenses. Every dollar you set aside in your account reduces how much you pay in income taxes. The money in the DCRA account can be used to reimburse expenses associated with the care of your children or other dependents while you (and your spouse) work or attend school full-time.
Here's a list of relevant topics mentioned in the Planbook
See Planbook for more topics. Additional information can be found here.
During open enrollment (November 1 - November 30), you will decide how much to contribute to your DCRA via payroll deductions for the upcoming year. While enrolling online, you will elect the Per Pay Period Amount, which will be deducted from your paycheck monthly or twice a month (depending on your pay schedule) and the deduction is made before taxes are withheld. This amount will be deposited into your DCRA.
When you incur and pay for eligible dependent care expenses, you will be reimbursed from your DCRA after you file a claim. Reimbursements from the DCRA cannot exceed the amount deposited in your account at the time your reimbursement is processed.
The amount that can be set aside in a DCRA is determined by the Tax Code, as follows:
The term “eligible employee” includes only: Full-time and part-time State employees who receive their compensation through means of a State warrant drawn upon the State Treasury. (For purposes of the HCRA and the DCRA, part-time employees may be excluded from participation by IRS rules. Part-time employees should consult their tax advisor before enrolling in the HCRA or the DCRA.) Members of the Legislature and the Lieutenant Governor are eligible during their term of office.
Exclusions - You are not eligible for coverage if you are classified on the State of Alabama’s records as an employee employed on a seasonal, temporary, intermittent, emergency or contract basis.
Includes your spouse or any other person that you claim for Federal Income Tax purposes.
Annual Open Enrollment is held in November for coverages to be effective January 1 of each year. Open enrollment applies to eligible employees who wish to change coverages, add coverages, or delete coverages.
New employees may enroll within 90 days of employment, with coverage effective the first day of the month following the receipt of the enrollment.
New employees enrolling in the HCRA, after the plan year has started, must have a minimum contribution of $120 annually with the maximum contribution being $2,700 annually.
Once an employee enrolls, the election remains in effect until January 1 of the following year (the Plan Year), under IRS regulations, unless the employee has a qualifying change in status. This means that you may not change your insurance coverage or participation except when you are permitted due to a qualifying change in status or during Open Enrollment. The change in your election must be consistent with the change in your status.
Qualifying changes in status include:
If a qualifying change in status occurs, the employee must submit a Revoke Election Form certifying the status change. This form must be submitted to the Flexible Employees’ Benefits Board within 30 days of the event.
If you are not enrolled, but you want to enroll following a change in your status, complete the Salary Reduction Agreement, and send it to the Flexible Employees’ Benefits Board within 30 days of the event. Attach a letter explaining your status change.
Approved changes are effective the first of the month following receipt of the forms by the Flexible Employees’ Benefits Board.
Your election to participate terminates on the earliest of the following dates:
