Dependent Care Account
Dependent Care Accounts
Dependent Care Accounts (DCAs) let you save pre-tax money from your paycheck to help cover dependent care expenses to allow you (and your spouse, if applicable) to work. You can request reimbursement after the care has been provided. If your submitted expenses are more than your current account balance, they’ll be reimbursed as soon as your next contribution is added to your account.
DCA Step-By-Step Process
Disclaimer: This is for illustrative purposes only. Dates and terms may vary by employer.
DCA Quick Links
If you want to know which expenses are eligible for your Dependent Care Account (DCA), you've come to the right place!
Examples of Eligible Expenses:
- After-school care or extended day programs
- Nanny expenses
- Babysitter inside or outside participant’s household
- Custodial or elder care expenses if the care is unrelated to medical services and the qualifying individual still spends at least 8 hours each day in the employee’s household
To file a DCA claim online or using AFmobile®:
- Log in to your account.
- Click the File a Claim button.
- Under Reimbursement Accounts, select the link to navigate to the reimbursement account page.
- For Service Type, choose the account you want to file a claim for, then fill in the required claim information as prompted.
- Complete the claim form.
- Choose Attach Claim Receipt as your Validation Method and upload your documentation.
- Check the authorization box and click Submit to finalize your claim.
To fax or mail, download and complete a Claim Form and include all applicable receipts and documentation. Please note, paper claim filing is not the fastest option. File a claim online or through AFmobile to get your money faster.
In this section, you'll find answers to common questions about Dependent Care Accounts (DCAs), helping you better understand how they work and how you can make the most of this valuable benefit.