Employee Paid

Overview

DCAP allows you to take a deduction from your pay for your eligible dependent care expenses before taxes are calculated. You save money in your paycheck now, because the deductions are exempt from taxes. DCAP can be used instead of taking the Child Care tax credit when you file your tax return.

DCAP allows state employees to reduce their taxable income (before federal income and social security taxes). Participants set aside an equal portion of their earnings each pay period, before taxes are computed.

The amounts set aside are then used to reimburse dependent care costs.

Eligibility

DCAP is available to any CWU employee except students whose wages are exempt from FICA and nonresident aliens who receive no U.S.-source earned income. You may enroll:

• if you are a new employee within 60 days of employment,
• during the open enrollment in November each year (for a January 1 effective date), or
• if there is a "change in family status" such as:
  1. marriage;
  2. divorce or legal separation;
  3. death of a spouse or dependent;
  4. birth or adoption of a child or addition of a dependent to your household;
  5. termination of employment of your spouse;
  6. employment of your previously unemployed spouse;
  7. a substantial change in your working hours or in your spouse's working hours.

Visit the DCAP website or request a packet by calling DCAP at 1-800-423-1524.