Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)

Important Notice: Starting 01/01/26, BenefitHelp Solutions (BHS) will be the County's FSA administrator. 

What is DCAP?

DCAP is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). It is a pre-tax benefit account that you can use to pay for dependent care services, such as preschool, before/after school care, or elder daycare.

How Does DCAP Work?

• Begin by estimating your eligible, out-of-pocket dependent care expenses for the upcoming year.
• Use your estimate to enroll in DCAP.
• The money you elect will be automatically deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.

How much can I contribute?

• The annual maximum is $7,500 annually ($7,500 per family, $3,750 if married filing separately)
• Two-earner households may need to coordinate to avoid exceeding the limit. In shared custody, only the parent claiming the child as a tax dependent can use DCAP for expenses while the child is in their care.
• Please consult with your tax professional if you have questions about whether DCAP or the Federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) would be more financially beneficial for your family. 

Important Facts about DCAP

• DCAP elections are available in your FSA account after being deducted from your paycheck.
• There is no carryover associated with DCAP; unused funds are forfeit ("use it or lose it").
• Eligible expenses incurred through 12/31 of the plan year may be submitted for reimbursement  through 3/31 of the following year.
• IRS regulations do not allow employees to receive DCAP claim reimbursements during a leave of absence (paid or unpaid), plan accordingly.

Examples of DCAP-eligible expenses that would qualify for reimbursement:

• Before- and after-school care for children 12-and-under
• Care provided in your home (provider cannot be an IRS tax dependent or a dependent under the age of 19)
• Home or daycare for eligible disabled IRS tax dependents (must spend at least eight hours per day in your home)
• Licensed daycare providers
• Registration fees (provided the qualified dependent actually receives the care)
• Summer day camps for children 12-and-under (even if overall theme of camp is entertainment or educational in nature)

Examples of ineligible expenses: meals, clothing, overnight camps, medical care, educational expenses / tuition, kindergarten, misc fees (activity fees, field trips, etc.), payments to a spouse or parent of a qualified individual, transportation expenses provided by parents.

When can I sign up?

• New hires can sign up within the first 31 days of employment.
• Every Open Enrollment period (Oct. - Nov.) you can sign up for MERP/DCAP for the following plan year.
• You may also be able to enroll or make changes to enrollment during the plan year due to certain qualifying events (see below).

Can I change my enrollment during the year, or change the amount I am enrolled in?

Yes, changes can be made up to once per month when you have a commensurate change in provider need or cost. Changes must be requested within 60 days, and are effective the first of the month on or following the change request and receipt of any needed supplemental documentation requested by the Benefits Office.

Common reasons for change requests include:

• Any change in child or elder care provider or change in provider cost or coverage.
• Marriage, divorce, or legal separation.
• Birth or adoption of a child.
• Taking an unpaid leave of absence.
• If you or your spouse/partner's schedule changes, affecting the need for dependent care.

Make changes using Workday (Change Benefits > Dependent Care Provider or Cost Change), or by contacting the Benefits Office at employee.benefits@multco.us.  If submitting your request through Workday, please include the reason for the change. 

BenefitHelp Solutions Customer Service

Email: benefithelpsolutionsCDHSupport@healthaccountservices.com

Phone: (855) 378-0197 (M-F 5am-5pm, PST)

BenefitHelp Solutions DCAP Documents and Information

• BHS DCAP Documents/Forms