STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION		55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775 TELEPHONE: (860) 702-3480 TELEFAX:(860) 702-3489
MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARD for DISABILITY RETIREMENT
HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT COMMITTEE
	STATE OF CONNECTICUT RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT SERVICES DIVISION OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER

RETIREMENT & BENEFIT SERVICES DIVISION MEMORANDUM

November 13, 2006

TO THE HEADS OF ALL STATE AGENCIES

I. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this memorandum is to (1) advise of the annual open enrollment for the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), and (2) restate the DCAP payroll, enrollment, and election change processing procedures.

II. ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT

The open enrollment period for the 2007 DCAP plan year is currently underway and will last through December 8, 2006.

For the 2007 plan year we will not conduct statewide informational sessions. In that connection, we are asking agencies to display the attached DCAP flyer on your agency bulletin board. Additionally, the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) will insert a DCAP open enrollment announcement in employee paychecks dated November 23, 2006. The announcement is the only statewide communication issued to employees regarding the 2007 plan year enrollment.

Employees interested in participating are responsible for obtaining the necessary enrollment applications and meeting all associated deadlines. Applications are available by download via the OSC web site: www.osc.state.ct.us or by contacting the program?s administrative services provider, Benefit Concepts at 1-877-629-1500. Employees, who fail to return the application before the deadline, will be denied participation in the program; no late applications will be accepted; no exceptions will be made.

III. PROCESSING PROCEDURES

A. Enrollment Procedures:

Benefit Concepts is responsible for the enrollment of eligible employees who wish to participate in DCAP. Employees are entitled to enroll in DCAP during one of the following periods:

1. The annual open enrollment period;
2. Within thirty-one days of the hire date; and
3. Within thirty-one days of a change in family status which makes the employee eligible to participate.

B. Payroll Procedures:

Payroll processing of DCAP accounts is performed by the Comptroller's Retirement & Benefit Services Division, Employee Benefits Unit. For payroll purposes, agencies are not responsible for processing DCAP enrollment applications.

C. Election Changes:

Once enrolled, changes in elections are allowed only under the following circumstances:

1. Participant terminates employment;
2. Participant experiences a family status change, such as marriage, divorce, death of a spouse or dependent, birth or adoption of a child, changes in spouse?s employment status.

Participating employees who wish to make an election change, or terminating employees must complete the Dependent Care Benefit Enrollment/Change Form with Benefit Concepts within thirty-one days of the change in status.

Employees who are out on any leave of absence including worker's compensation, do not need to enroll during the annual open enrollment period. Upon return to work, employees have 31 days to enroll in DCAP.

Employees may obtain enrollment forms, election forms, and change forms by download via the OSC web site: www.osc.state.ct.us or by contacting Benefit Concepts toll free at 1-877-629-1500.

IV. CONCLUSION

Your anticipated assistance in making the program accessible to your agency's employees is appreciated. The DCAP program not only assists employees in managing their dependent care expenses while reducing their taxable income, it saves the state money as well.

Questions concerning DCAP may be directed to the Retirement and Benefit Services Division, Employee Benefits Unit at (860) 702-3543.

Very truly yours,

STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION
NANCY WYMAN, SECRETARY EX OFFICIO

By:
Thomas C. Woodruff, Ph.D., Director
Retirement & Benefit Services Division

TW/SA/aa
Attachments

DCAP Enrollment Instructions

DCAP Flyer (PDF format - 81KB)

DCAP Enrollment form (PDF format - 56KB)

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