Dependent Care Assistance Program Alicia Main 2021-07-01T12:15:53-04:00

What is a DCAP and how does it work?

A Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) allows you to pay for these expenses while reaping an important tax break. Sometimes known as a "Dependent Care FSA," these funds can be used to pay for certain care expenses for qualifying dependents—children, a disabled spouse, or legally dependent parents.

For many people, the cost of day care, nursery school, or supervision for an aging parent is a significant monthly expense. A DCAP additionally serves as an alternative to the Dependent Care Tax Credit.

ConnectYourCare Family Selfie

DID YOU KNOW…?

DCAP funds cover summer or holiday day camps, and child care at a day camp, nursery school, or by a private sitter.

So your family is taken care of while you are busy working hard.

Dependent Care FSA Questions Answered

What is the difference between a Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA?

Flexible Spending Accounts

Save money on health and dependent day care expenses with Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) from ConnectYourCare.

Two ways to save!

  • A Health Care FSA allows you to set aside pre-tax money for eligible health care expenses.
  • A Dependent Care FSA allows you to set aside pre-tax money for eligible dependent day care expenses.

Learn more about Dependent Care FSAs and Health Care FSAs in our Flexible Spending Accounts Infographic!

Dependent Care Assistance Program Infographic on Tablet

What expenses are eligible for Dependent Care FSA?

Even with the best plan, you are likely to have out-of-pocket expenses each year. If you have children and have to pay for child care, a dependent care account can help stretch your hard-earned dollars.

A Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) covers employment-related expenses for child care. Qualified expenses must be for services that allow for you to be able to go to work.

Typical expenses under this account include charges for day care, nursery school and elder care (though not if it is for medical care) for your legal tax dependents. For a list of eligible expenses, please see Qualified DCAP Expenses and IRS Publication 503 – Child and Dependent Care Expenses.

What are Dependent Care Account Rules and Regulations?

Like an FSA, you must use all of your DCAP funds by the end of your plan year. Remaining funds are forfeited, according to IRS regulations. ConnectYourCare's DCAP calculator helps account holders estimate dependent care expenses in order contribute the optimal amount.

According to the IRS, you may contribute up to $5,000 per year if you are married and filing a joint return, or if you are a single parent. If you are married and filing separately, you may contribute up to $2,500 per year per parent.

Unlike a Health Care FSA, you may only receive reimbursement from your DCAP account equal to the amount you have actually deposited.

What are the qualifications and restrictions for using DCAP?

  • Expenses must be necessary in order for you/spouse to work or look for work (unless your spouse was either a full-time student or incapable of self-care)
  • Payments cannot be made to another of your legal dependents, or to your child who is under age 19
  • You must file taxes as "single, qualifying widow/er with a dependent child, married filing jointly, or married filing separately."
  • You and your spouse must maintain a home that you live in for more than half the year with the qualifying child or dependent.

*See IRS Publication 503 – Child and Dependent Care Expenses to learn more about which expenses will qualify.

Why open a DCAP?

  • Every dollar you set aside in your account reduces how much you pay in income taxes

  • Use it for child and elder day care while you work, like before- and after-school care expenses, summer day camp, nursery school, and pre-school

Dependent Care FSA Contribution Limits:

$ 0

Married Filing a Joint Return or Single Parent

$ 0

Married Filing Separately, Per Parent

Resources & Tools

App

Download the App

Manage claims on the go with the mobile app — available in iTunes and Google Play

Portal

Manage Your HSA

Take control of all your Optum Financial benefits with the easy-to-use online portal

Customer Service

Get Help 24/7

Based in the US, our customer care experts are ready to help resolve any issue, any time

Calculator

Estimate Savings

See how much contributing to a DCAP now could pay off in the long term

Eligible Expenses

Find DCAP Eligible Expenses

Find out what types of expenses are eligible for reimbursement

FAQs

Get Answers

There's a lot to know about DCAP, which is why we've put together these FAQs

Video

Watch and Learn

Learn why a Dependent Care Assistance Program may be right for you

Blog

Get Helpful Tips

Our blog, Connections, is the perfect place to find helpful benefits articles

Infographic

See a Quick Overview

Learn how FSAs can help you pay for health and dependent care expenses

Our Latest Resources

Our Latest Blog Posts

  • fsa-hsa-mom-baby-parent

HSA and FSA Eligible Expenses for Mom, Baby, and Parents-to-be

By Alicia Main | 2021-05-06T13:07:04-04:00 May 6th, 2021 |

Parenting and motherhood are some of the greatest joys in life, but it does require some financial planning! Thankfully, HSAs and FSAs exist to help parents offset the cost of medical expenses for their kids and themselves, and there is a long list of items and services that are eligible for every stage of childrearing. Check out all the eligible items in this post.

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Provisions for Dependent Care FSAs and COBRA

By Alicia Main | 2021-03-23T13:40:16-04:00 March 23rd, 2021 |

On March 11, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 was signed into law. As a result, temporary provisions have been announced that apply to COBRA, as well as Dependent Care Assistance Programs (DCAPs)—also known as Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Read on for a brief summary of these provisions.