Frequently Asked Questions
Who's eligible to enroll?
•Employees with children under the age of 13
•Employees with any adult you can claim as a dependent on your tax return or who is physically or mentally unable to care for him/herself
Can you have an HSA at the same time as a Dependent Care FSA?
•Yes, they can be used simultaneously.
Can you rollover unused funds?
•Funds do not roll-over to the next year. Estimate your expenses carefully.
Can you make changes to your Dependent Care FSA mid-year?
•No. Once you decide to enroll or decline the FSA, you're locked in for the year unless you experience a qualifying life event (QLE) mid-year. You can view the list of eligible QLE here.
Contact ESSG's Employee Benefits Team if you have a QLE occur and need to make a change.
If my daycare provider’s rate changes, can I increase what I can contribute?
•Yes, this is considered a qualifying life event
Can you claim the dependent tax care credit and contribute towards a dependent care FSA?
•Potentially. The amount that you claim on your tax return would be the total annual costs of dependent care expenses minus what you contributed towards your Dependent Care FSA. You cannot claim the same expense twice.
Can my spouse and I both elect for $5,000 pre-tax funds?
•No. If you file taxes jointly, it’s up to $5,000. If you file separately, it’s up-to $2,500.