Dependent Care Account (DCA) Support

DCAs are “use or lose” accounts. This means, at the end of your plan year, the funds remaining in your account may be lost.

Your plan may include a runoff period that allows you to file claims for the previous plan year’s expenses. However, these expenses must have been incurred during the plan year.

To view your specific plan details, log in to your online account and select the account name from the home dashboard. 

View Reimbursement Account Details 

Read: Carryovers, grace periods, and runoff periods - what are the differences?

In 2025, you may set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax per calendar year or $2,500 if you are married and file a separate tax return. Effective January 1, 2026, you may set aside up to $7,500 pre-tax per calendar year or $3,750 if you are married and file a separate tax return. The exact amount allowed depends on your employer's plan limits.

Typically, you can only elect contributions into your DCA during a yearly open enrollment period, but there may be exceptions if you experience a qualifying life event. Some changes may not be permitted. Check with your employer regarding the plan design and/or restrictions. 

A DCA may allow certain changes when there is a change in the need for care or cost of care, as well as when there is a change in care providers.

Your employer determines if you can make mid-plan year election changes. You should contact your employer if you've experienced a qualifying event and wish to make a change.

Yes, you can! To pay a provider directly instead of reimbursing yourself, simply complete the online claim process. When you reach the Pay Provider section, select Yes and choose your provider's name from the dropdown menu. If your provider isn’t listed, click Add New Provider Record to input their details, including name, address, city, state, and zip code. 

Qualifying expenses may include before-school care, after-school care, summer day camp, and day care. For more information, check out our list of eligible expenses.

If you already have an American Fidelity online account, simply log in to your account to view your DCA information.

If you have not created an account, click here to register now. Then, follow the prompts to complete the registration process. You will use this same registration information on the mobile app, AFmobile^®.

Follow these steps to opt in for text message alerts online:

1. Log in to your account.
2. From the home dashboard, click the Reimbursement Account button.
3. Hover over your name in the top right corner of the screen, then select Communication Settings from the drop-down menu.
4. In the Assigned Notifications section, opt in to Mobile or Both (Email and Mobile), then click Save.
5. Under the Phone Registration Status section, select Add Number, enter your phone number, and select Save.
6. You should receive a text message from the number 97487. Reply with "Y" to complete your registration.

To opt-in to text message alerts using AFmobile^®:

1. Once logged in, tap the More icon located in the lower-right corner of the app.
2. Scroll down to Communication and tap Reimbursement Communications.
3. Choose to opt in Mobile or Both (Email and Mobile) for each of the Assigned Notification options, then click Save.
4. Under the Phone Registration Status section, select Add Number, enter your phone number, and tap Save.
5. You should receive a text message from the number 97487. Reply with "Y" to complete your registration.

To file an DCA claim online or using AFmobile^®:

1. Log in to your account.
2. Click the File a Claim button.
3. Under Reimbursement Accounts, select the link to navigate to the reimbursement account page.
4. For Service Type, choose the account you want to file a claim for, then fill in the required claim information as prompted.
5. Complete the claim form.
6. Choose Attach Claim Receipt as your Validation Method and upload your documentation. 
7. Check the authorization box and click Submit to finalize your claim.

To fax or mail, download and complete a Claim Form and include all applicable receipts and documentation. Please note, paper claim filing is not the fastest option. File a claim online or through AFmobile to get your money faster. 

Turnaround time for claims processing is generally 3-5 business days after we receive all required documentation and the amount being requested for reimbursement has been contributed and deposited into your DCA.

The fastest way to receive your reimbursement is through Direct Deposit.

To enroll in Direct Deposit online:

1. Log in to your account.
2. Click the Reimbursement Account button.
3. Hover over your name in the top right of the screen and select Profile.
4. Select the Edit button above Reimbursement Method.
5. Select Direct Deposit.
6. Enter or update your bank account information.
7. Click the Save button.

To enroll in Direct Deposit using AFmobile^®:

1. Once logged in, tap the More icon located in the lower-right corner of the app.
2. Scroll down to Direct Deposit and select Reimbursement Direct Deposit.
3. Follow the prompts to complete the setup.

If you do not sign up for direct deposit, you will receive a check by mail. Note: This method will increase the time it takes to receive your reimbursement.

You can easily view your balance and transaction history online or through AFmobile^®. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your account.
2. Select your account under the Reimbursement Accounts section on your dashboard to see your balance.
3. Click the Transactions drop-down arrow to view your latest transaction history.
4. If you don't see the transaction you're looking for, click View More Transactions for a full list.

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) regulations have requirements stating that expenses must be verified. For DCAs, the information required may be provided by a third party in the form of a statement or documentation.

When filing a DCA claim, you must provide the following required information during the claim process:

• The tax ID of the care provider, or
• The individual Social Security Number of the care provider

No, you may not add documentation to your existing denied claim. You will need to submit a new claim with the correct documentation.