Home < Health and Welfare Benefits < Flexible Spending Accounts < Enrollment
Unlike other health and insurance plans, UC's Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), DepCare and HCRA, require annual enrollment. So even if you are currently enrolled, you must re-enroll during Open Enrollment or your participation will end December 31.
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When to Enroll |
How to Enroll |
Effective Date |
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I am a new UC employee |
During your 31-day PIE |
First of the month following enrollment.* |
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I am a continuing employee who has become eligible |
During your new 31-day PIE |
Submit form UPAY 717 [PDF] |
See below. ** |
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I have had an eligible change in family or employment status |
During your new 31-day PIE |
Submit form UPAY 717 [PDF] |
See below. ** |
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I am eligible but not currently enrolled |
During Open Enrollment, usually held in November |
Read about Open Enrollment |
January 1 following Open Enrollment |
When you enroll, be sure to carefully estimate your expenses. The IRS requires you to forfeit any unclaimed funds in your Dependent Care or Health Care Reimbursement Account after the closing date for the plan year.
* If you enroll as a new employee, coverage is effective at the earliest on the first of the month following the date you enroll, and it may be effective one month beyond that, depending on several factors. You will not be reimbursed for expenses incurred before your effective date.
** The effective date depends on whether you enroll online or using a paper form and whether your enrollment is processed before or after your local payroll deadline for that month. Depending on these factors, the effective date can be from a few days to almost two months after enrollment. Generally, paper forms take longer to process. If you enroll online, your confirmation notice will show the effective date, but there is no confirmation notice for paper enrollments. Ask your local Benefits Office about specifics for your location.
To cancel or change enrollment
DepCare and HCRA contributions can be changed or canceled only during Open Enrollment or during a new period of initial eligibility (PIE) which results from a change in employment or family status. Eligible changes include:
- A change in number of eligible dependents;
- A change in dependent eligibility, including a child reaching age 13;
- A change in your legal marital status;
- A change in your residence;
- A change in employment status that causes a gain of benefit eligibility;
- A change in cost or coverage—that is, your dependent care expenses increase or decrease, or you change child care providers or the amount of time needed for child care.
