Updated September 14, 2022
The University of Rochester Family Care Program was created to help support the diverse family care needs of employees. To continue to help with the constant rising cost of child and dependent care, starting January 1, 2023, the University of Rochester will be expanding the Family Care Program to include a Child Care Subsidy Program, as well as Subsidized Backup Care through Care.com.
The Child Care Subsidy Program will provide financial assistance by providing annual funds of up to $3,600 a year, depending on total household gross income, to eligible employees to help assist with child care expenses. The dollars may be used for any paid child care that enables eligible participants to work, including licensed child care centers as well as in-home care. Eligible faculty and staff whose total household gross income was less than $130,000 in 2021 may apply. Employees must apply each year if they wish to receive a subsidy, as awards will be provided on an annual basis. Subsidy awards are per family and are based on total household gross income, so only one person may apply if both parents work at the University.
The subsidy will be distributed through the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account and therefore, will not be included in taxable income. If you receive a subsidy, you also may be eligible to make additional contributions to your Dependent Care FSA from your wages on a pre-tax basis, up to the IRS maximum of $5,000, or $2,500 for a married person filing separately.
You will need to complete and submit a child care subsidy application and supporting documentation during the Annual Application Period September 14 – October 12, 2022. You can find additional details on the Family Care page. The online secure application will open Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Only newly eligible employees or those with a qualifying event (listed under Conditions) are eligible to apply outside of the Annual Application Period.
Also starting January 1, 2023, the University of Rochester will offer eligible employees access to Subsidized Backup Care through Care.com for children and adults when there is a temporary breakdown in normal care arrangements. Care.com pre-screens qualified caregivers to help you find in-home backup emergency care for children and adults, or in-center backup care for children. You can start to request backup care on January 1, 2023 through Care.com. At this time, eligible employees can create their free premium Care.com account, and more details will be forthcoming regarding backup care instructions.
Answers to frequently asked questions are available and if you have additional questions, please contact the Office of Total Rewards.
You will need your University Active Directory login to access the application. This application requires Duo two-factor authentication when connecting from outside the University’s networks.