UUP Represented State Employees to Save Money in 2009
Enroll in DCAAccount and Keep More $$$ in Your Pocket
Do you pay for child care, elder care, or a disabled dependent care in order to go to work? If the answer is yes, then enrolling in the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAcount) may be an excellent money-saving opportunity for you and your family. Each year, your household may contribute up to $5,000 from your paycheck TAX-FREE in order to pay for dependent care expenses, including costs for child care and adult daycare, babysitters, before or after-school programs, family day care, home aides, nursery school, school-age holiday care, and summer day camp. Learn more about this important benefit and don’t miss out on the open enrollment period for the DCAAccount!
2009 Open EnrollmentThe enrollment period begins on September 22 and ends on November 14, 2008. Enrollment is completely paperless and the application process is quick, easy, and secure. You can enroll by Internet or telephone.
Internet Enrollment: Log on to www.flexspend.state.ny.us to access important program information, including a useful tax calculator to help identify your potential savings. The calculator will guide you so that you will know if the Federal and State Tax Credits or the DCAAccount will save you more money on your dependent care expenses. The website also provides the online application, instructions, and forms you’ll need once enrolled in the DCAAccount.
Telephone Enrollment: If you don’t have Internet access or prefer speaking with a person, you can complete your DCAAccount application over the phone. Call 1-800-358-7202, option 1, to speak to a customer service representative who will assist you with enrollment and complete the application for you.
Employer ContributionThe employer contribution will resume for the 2009 plan year providing up to $800 for UUP represented employees who enroll in the DCAAccount. No match is required—employees may enroll just for the employer contribution. If both spouses are state employees in an eligible bargaining unit, then they may both enroll for the employer contribution. The 2009 employer contribution rates are:
| If the Employee’s Full-Time Salary Is… | The Employer Contribution Is… |
| Over $70,000 | $300 |
| $60,001-$70,000 | $400 |
| $50,001-$60,000 | $500 |
| $40,001-$50,000 | $600 |
| $30,001-$40,000 | $700 |
| Up to $30,000 | $800 |
Open Enrollment Deadline
The 2009 open enrollment period ends at midnight on November 14, 2008. No applications will be accepted after the deadline. Don’t pass up this once-a-year open enrollment opportunity to save money on your dependent care expenses.
Be Informed and Don’t Lose Out!
If you have questions about the DCAAccount or would like more information about the program, log on to the website, www.flexspend.state.ny.us, or call the Hotline at 1-800-358-7202, option 2.
“I consider myself lucky to find child care for both my children at $9,200 per year. Although that’s a good price for quality care, it still takes a sizeable bite out of my spendable income. Between my payroll deductions and the employer contribution, I shave about 30 percent off those child care expenses by participating in the DCAAccount, putting nearly $2,750 back in my own pocket.”
Stephen G., UUP, SUNY Albany