A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCSA) lets you use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible care expenses for your children under age 13 or dependent adults who require care while you work. This can help lower your taxable income and increase your savings.
Eligible Expenses Include:
Daycare & preschool tuition (for children under 13)
Before & after-school care
Summer day camps
In-home care, nannies, & babysitters (not provided by a spouse or dependent)
Adult daycare for dependent adults
Use pre-tax dollars to pay for care expenses
Save up to $5,000 per year (or $2,500 if married and filing separately)
Funds available as you contribute (unlike Health FSAs)
Use the Allegiance debit card to pay for purchases, or use their easy reimbursement process with direct deposit or check
You are still eligible to contribute to a DCSA if you are a member of the Kaiser HDHP + HSA plan.
Lewis & Clark does not contribute to this plan.
Important: DCSA funds cannot be used for private school tuition (kindergarten and above), overnight camps, or nursing home care. Compare the DCSA vs. Federal Childcare Tax Credit to determine which option is best for you.
You can find more helpful documents by visiting the Allegiance website and scrolling to the bottom of the page!
2025 IRS Contribution Limits
Maximum Contribution:$5,000 per year for single filers or married couples filing jointly, and $2,500 per year for married individuals filing separately.
DCSAs are not eligible for rollover contributions.
The DCSA is available to new hires or newly benefit-eligible employees when completing their first benefit elections, and then once per year during Open Enrollment for the following benefit year.
If you experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) that results in a change in the cost of dependent care (including elderly relative moving in, birth of a child, etc.), you may adjust your DCSA election within 30 days of the event by providing documentation of the cost increase.
Life events, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or other major milestones, can significantly impact your benefits needs. It’s important to update your benefits to reflect these changes, ensuring you and your family have the coverage you need during these pivotal moments.
Act fast—updates to your benefits must be made within 30 days of a life event, or you won’t be able to make changes until the next open enrollment period!
Simply click on the life event that applies to you below to get started with making the necessary updates to your benefits!
Timeline
Make sure to submit your Dependent Care FSA change within 30 days of the date your costs went up!
Choose Coverage Level
You will be able to enter either a monthly or annual contribution amount, and Workday will auto-calculate your monthly, pre-tax paycheck deduction.
Required Documentation
You will need to provide a receipt or other document showing proof of an increase in the costs of dependent care.
Making the Change in Workday
Step One (Employee):
Click the Menu (three lines) in the upper left-hand corner of your Workday screen
Click Benefits and Pay
Click the button under “Tasks and Reports” at the top of the Benefits and Pay page that says “Change Benefits”
Select “Dependent Care FSA Change” as the Change Reason
Enter the date of the increase in expenses as the “Benefit Event Date.”
Click out of the “Benefit Event Date” box, and a section will appear where you can attach the required document as noted above.
Click Submit
Step Two (HR Benefits):
Your request will be routed to the Benefits Partner for review. After the Benefit Partner has approved your request, you will receive notification to go into Workday to complete your Benefit Change.
Step Three (Employee):
Navigate to your Workday Inbox
Click the Benefit Change task
Continue through all required screens, waiving/electing the DCSA and annual/monthly amount.
Check the “I Agree” box to provide an electronic signature confirming your changes.
Click Submit.
Click Done to complete the task or Print to launch a printable version of the summary for your records.
Need assistance finding a childcare provider?
One L&C Kids and Family Group
The One L&C Kids and Family Group supports Lewis & Clark employees who are parents or caregivers by fostering a sense of community and offering practical resources to help balance work and family life.
Available resources include:
L&C Babysitter List: A regularly updated list of student babysitters available to help with child care needs.
Google Group: An internal discussion and support group where employees can share resources, ask questions, and stay updated on events.
Family-Friendly Events: Including clothing and toy swaps, where employees can donate or pick up gently used children’s items.
Community Connection: Opportunities to connect with other L&C families for support and shared experiences.
Through the Canopy Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Lewis & Clark employees have access to Resource Retrieval Services—a personalized support program that helps you find the services and providers you need for life’s everyday challenges.
Canopy can help you locate:
Babysitters and child care providers
Elder care and respite services
Housing resources for elderly dependents
And more!
Canopy’s specialists do the research for you—saving you time and effort by providing a curated list of vetted providers and resources based on your specific needs and location.
To access Resource Retrieval services, call Canopy anytime at 800-433-2320 or visit my.canopywell.com
