Dependent Care
If you have work-related dependent care expenses, you may be eligible for the Dependent Care Savings Account Program and/or the Child Care Voucher Program. The programs offer different and separate benefits to state employees.

You may deposit up to $5,000 from your annual earnings into a Dependent Care Spending Account. These deposits are deducted from your gross income before federal, state and local taxes are calculated. You may withdraw money from your account in order to reimburse yourself for work related dependent care expenses. There is no income ceiling for this benefit.

The Child Care Voucher program allows you to apply annually for a lump sum cash grant for work related child care expenses incurred during the previous calendar year. To qualify you must meet all of the criteria in your collective bargaining agreement. This includes having a family adjusted gross income below the limit set by the bargaining unit contract. The application must be received by April 15 of each year. If April 15 falls on a weekend, the due date is extended to the Monday following April 15th.

Though both programs offer benefits to cover dependent care costs, you cannot claim the same expenses for both programs.

If you would like to compare the plans directly, please use the Dependent Care Comparison Chart.

Your total dependent care benefit, including benefits from both programs, cannot exceed $5,000. Some employees may qualify for the Child Care Voucher Program by using the Dependent Care Spending Account to reduce their adjusted gross income.