Uniformed Service Member Dependent Care FSA

The Savings Power of a DCFSA

A Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare. It's a smart, simple way to save money while taking care of your loved ones while you are on duty.

Why Enroll in a Dependent Care FSA

• Save up to 30 percent on dependent care services.
• Reduce your overall tax burden - funds are withdrawn from your income for deposit into your account before taxes are deducted.
• Take advantage of several convenient, no-hassle payment and reimbursement options.

How You Save

With a Dependent Care FSA, you use pre-tax dollars to pay qualified out-of-pocket dependent care expenses. The money you contribute to a Dependent Care FSA is not subject to payroll taxes, so you end up paying less in taxes and taking home more of your paycheck.

Dependent Care FSA Eligible Expenses

• Care for your dependent who is under age 13
  • Before and after school care
  • Babysitting and nanny expenses
  • Daycare, nursery school, and preschool
  • Summer day camp
• Care for your spouse or a relative who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care and lives in your home

See more examples Use the Dependent Care FSA Calculator to see how much you can save with a Dependent Care FSA.

How You Get It

You enroll in or renew your enrollment in your Dependent Care FSA through FSAFEDS during Open Season each year. Outside of Open Season, you may enroll in FSAFEDS if you experience a Qualifying Life Event.

How You Manage It

Simply log in to your FSAFEDS online account at any time to manage all aspects of your Dependent Care FSA:

• Check account balances
• Submit claims and view claims status
• Explore eligible expenses
• Select your reimbursement methods (by check or direct deposit)
• Choose to receive account alerts by email or text

Or you can log in to your account with the FSAFEDs app. Just download this handy app to your mobile device and log in with the same username and password you use for your online account. It's the easy way to manage your FSA when on the go!

Learn More

How You Pay for Eligible Expenses

It is easy to spend your DCFSA funds or receive reimbursement with a variety of options to meet your needs.

• Pay My Provider: Arrange for payments to be sent directly to your dependent care provider. To pay a provider:
  1. Log in to your online account.
  2. Select Submit Receipt or Claim.
  3. Choose Pay My Provider.
  4. Set up one-time or recurring monthly payment.
  5. Enter the required payment details and select Submit Claim.
  6. Upload digital copies of your invoices or receipts.
• Pay Me Back – Direct Deposit: Set up direct deposit, and once a claim has been processed and approved, your reimbursement will be deposited directly into your bank account. This is the quickest and most secure way to receive your reimbursements. Plus, there’s no waiting around for a check in the mail. To set up direct deposit:
  1. Log in to your online account.
  2. Click Profile in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. Select Reimbursement Method buttons on the left menu.
  4. Enter your bank name, bank account number, bank routing number, and type of account.
  5. Click Save Changes to finalize the process. Please keep in mind it takes 7-10 business days to establish direct deposit.
• Pay Me Back - Check: Have a check mailed to you after a claim has been processed and approved.

How to File a Claim

Use the claim submission method that works for you — the choice is yours!

Submit Your Claim in One of These Ways:

• Online: Filing a claim through your online account is easy to do.
  • Log in to your account. If this is your first time logging into your FSAFEDS account, you’ll need to register first before logging in.
  • Once you have logged into your account, click Submit Receipt or Claim and select your Reimbursement Option.
  • Follow the step-by-step instructions.
  • Upload digital copies of your itemized receipts (and other documentation if needed).
• FSAFEDS App: Our app is the easiest and quickest way to submit a claim!
  • Log in to the FSAFEDS app using the same username and password as your online account.
  • Select whether to submit a claim or pay a provider.
  • Follow the prompts to enter claims details.
  • Take photos of your itemized receipts (and other documentation if needed) or upload from your mobile device.
  • Tap Submit Claim to authorize the claim and finish the submission.
• Fax or Mail:
  • Download the form you need from the File a Claim dropdown menu.
  • Fill in all the information requested on the form.
  • Fax or mail the form, along with copies of your itemized receipts (and other documentation if needed), to:

If mailing your claim, please send in copies of your receipts and keep the original documents in your files.

Most claims are processed within one to two business days after they are received and verified. Payments are sent shortly thereafter.

Receipt Requirements

Your DCFSA is regulated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). IRS regulations state when filing a claim, your expenses listed must be incurred by you, your spouse, or eligible dependent during the coverage period and the dates noted on the claim. You must also file your claim with the appropriate supporting documentation. That means, save each and every receipt – you’ll most likely need it. For quick processing, make sure receipts include the following five pieces of information:

• Dependent's Name – the name of the person who received the service
• Provider's Name – the provider that delivered the service
• Date of Service – the date when services were provided
• Type of Service – a detailed description of the service provided
• Cost – the amount paid for the service

For more information about Uniformed Service DCFSAs, please visit FINRED.

For additional resources and free downloadable materials, please visit Military OneSource.