FAQs

You must file a Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) claim with FSAFEDS to be reimbursed for an eligible dependent care expense. You can submit your claim in one of several ways - the choice is yours. See File a Claim for more information.

When submitting your DCFSA claim, you may have your dependent care provider certify the claim by providing a signature through the FSAFEDS app or on the DCFSA claim form. If you cannot obtain a signature, you must submit a statement of work with these details:

Dependent's Name - the name of the person who received the care

Provider's Name - the provider that delivered the service

Date(s) of Service - when services were provided

Type of Service - a detailed description of the service provided

Cost - the amount paid for the service

You must submit a claim each time you request reimbursement for dependent care expenses, even if you regularly pay your dependent care provider the same amount each week. You will be reimbursed up to the current amount in your DCFSA at the time your claim is processed.

Please note: Payment in advance or a deposit to hold a spot for placement in a program, such as day camp or after-school care, is a reimbursable expense under a DCFSA. However, it cannot be submitted for reimbursement until after some or all of the care has been provided, since payment up-front for future services is not eligible for claim reimbursement until the actual service is rendered.

Example: A participant enrolls their three children in a two-week summer day camp in February. The camp will run in July. The camp, which is extremely popular, insists that payment be made in full at the time of registration. Since the participant has paid in advance for services, they cannot file for reimbursement until after some or all of the camp has taken place. The participant can either submit a claim after each week for that portion or wait and submit the full amount after the camp has taken place.

If you terminate employment for any reason mid-year and you still have a balance in your DCFSA, you may continue to submit claims for reimbursement for eligible expenses you incur after your termination date but before the end of the benefit period, up to the amount of your balance.