Dollars from a Health Care FSA can only be used for qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses, including deductibles, copays, prescriptions and some over-the-count medications. Dependent Care FSA dollars can only be used for child care services for your dependents who are younger than thirteen years of age or adult dependents who are unable to care for themselves.

The maximum amount in 2023 that can be contributed to a Dependent Care FSA is $5,000 for a married couple filing taxes jointly or for a single person filing as head of household; or $2,500 for a married couple filing taxes separately.

Unlike Health Care FSA funds, Dependent Care FSA funds are not available on the first day of the Plan Year. The only funds available are the dollars that have already been set aside (already deducted from your paychecks) and are in your account. Advance reimbursements from your Dependent Care FSA are not allowed.

No, you will only be reimbursed for eligible child care expenses incurred before your child's thirteenth birthday. However, you may adjust your elections by filing for a Qualified Change in Status.

No, you can only use your Dependent Care FSA for children or adults claimed as dependents on your tax return.

No, if you participate in a Dependent Care FSA, you are not allowed to claim any other dependent care tax benefits for the tax-free amounts you receive through this plan. However, you are allowed to claim expenses not reimbursed through your Dependent Care FSA.

Please check with your Human Resources department or contact Surency Flex’s Customer Service department at 866-818-8805 to discuss the specific details of your plan.

If you submit a claim for an amount greater than what you have in your Dependent Care FSA account at the time, the portion of the claim that is above the amount you have in your account will remain “pending” until funds are available from future contributions.

No, only charges that have been fully incurred can be distributed for reimbursement. If you pay in advance, please wait until after the care has been provided before submitting the claim for reimbursement.

Incurred is defined by the IRS as the date(s) that the services are provided that gave rise to the expense. Expenses are not considered to be provided at the time you are billed. That means for Dependent Care FSAs, if you pay for services in advance, you cannot claim the expenses until you actually receive the services. For example, if you pay January's expenses at the beginning of the month, you cannot be reimbursed until the end of January when all of the services have been received. You may file a claim weekly for that week's services or you may file an Auto Dependent Care Claim Form if your weekly payments do not vary.

No. Expenses for education do not qualify as Dependent Care expenses. However, if you are charged for after care for the portion of the day that your child attends the school, this charge does qualify as a Dependent Care expense. Your provider must supply you with documentation for the charges for the portion of the day that is specifically for care and well-being.

No. Expenses that include overnight care are not eligible expenses. The charges cannot be prorated to include the portion that was for care during the day while you were working.

No. If your child’s child care center or summer camp charges for food, transportation or activities, these charges are not eligible as Dependent Care expenses. 

One of the requirements for you to receive reimbursements from a Dependent Care FSA is that the expense is incurred allowing you and your spouse to be gainfully employed. This means that you are working and earning an income. You are not considered gainfully employed during paid vacation time or sick days. Gainful employment is determined on a daily basis. Since you are an employee of your employer, you are gainfully employed. If you have a legal spouse, then your spouse would also need to be gainfully employed for your expenses to be eligible. Other definitions of gainful employment include people who are:

• Unemployed but actively seeking work; or
• Self-employed; or
• Physically or mentally not capable of self-care; or
• Full-time students.

Surency Flex offers four ways to access your plan details:

1. The easiest option is to use the Surency Flex mobile app. The mobile app is available for download from the Apple App Store or Google Play. On the mobile app you can view your current account balance, file claims, purchase FSA-approved items and securely contact Surency Flex.
2. Log in to your online Member Account to view your account details, file claims and more.
3. Contact Surency Flex Customer Service at 866-818-8805.
4. You can also sign up to receive electronic updates on your plan via email and/or text alerts. Log in to your Member Account, visit the “Statements & Notifications" tab to select your notification preference.

If your provider doesn't accept your Surency Flex Benefits Card for your dependent care expenses, you can submit a claim online using the Surency Flex mobile app or your Member Account to be reimbursed. You could alternatively download this claim form to request reimbursement. Using the claim form, you can set up a recurring reimbursement if your expenses are for the same amount, from the same provider and for the same length of time.

You can use the money in your Dependent Care FSA to pay for day care, babysitting and general purpose day camps for your dependents under the age of 13 while you are at work. You can also use the funds to pay for adult day care services for dependent adults who are unable to care for themselves (if they live with you for at least eight hours per day).