The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DeCAP) is a way to pay for dependent care expenses with before-tax dollars.

This program enables you to provide care for your dependents while you and your spouse work or attend school full-time.

Generally, employees can enroll during the annual Open Enrollment Period beginning of October through the middle of November prior to the upcoming Plan Year. Employees can also enroll mid-year only if a Qualifying Event occurs.

The minimum contribution is $500; the maximum is $5,000.

Please be advised that the last week of November is the deadline for submitting payroll deduction cancellation or modification requests on a prospective basis for HCFSA and/or DeCAP for all payrolls due to payroll cut-off dates.

A child under age 13 and any dependent who is mentally or physically incapable of caring for himself/herself and lives with you for more than half of the year, such as a dependent child or parent, a handicapped child of any age, or an incapacitated spouse.

This program pays for babysitting, nursery school, preschool, summer day camp, before- and after-school programs, and other dependent care.

By enrolling in DeCAP, you not only plan for anticipated dependent care expenses but also reduce your gross income for federal and Social Security tax purposes. The end result is that you save on your taxes.

First, you estimate your pre-tax contribution to your account for the Plan Year. Second, you fund your account through automatic payroll deductions. Finally, you submit a claim for your eligible expenses and a reimbursement check is sent to your home address from your DeCAP account or the reimbursement is automatically deposited into a bank account you have chosen.

Please note that direct deposit is the fastest way to receive your reimbursements. Check may take up to 10 business days from the date claims were closed to be received.

Each participant will receive a personal account statement every month.

According to IRS rules, amounts not used by the end of the Plan Year will be forfeited.

Contact the FSA Administrative Office at (212) 306-7760.