Modern Dependent Care FSA Providers and Administrators

You can use funds from a Dependent Care FSA for eligible child care and dependent care services that enable you and your spouse to work, look for work, or attend school full-time. Common qualifying expenses include licensed nursery schools, daycares, preschools, summer day camps, before- and after-school programs, in-home babysitters, nannies, and adult daycare centers for qualifying elder dependents who live with you.

Yes, you can pay a nanny using funds from a Dependent Care FSA, provided the care is necessary for you to work or seek employment. To substantiate the expense, the nanny cannot be your spouse, a tax dependent, or your child under age nineteen. You must also obtain and report their legal name, address, and Social Security number or Taxpayer Identification Number.

Helpr connects care spending directly to an employee's Dependent Care FSA so subsidized backup care and out-of-pocket care can be settled and substantiated in one unified platform. This seamless workflow removes the traditional friction of saving paper receipts, filling out manual claim forms, and waiting weeks for plan reimbursements, making it easier for employees to maximize their pre-tax benefits.

Under federal guidelines, eligible dependents include your qualifying children who are under age thirteen when care is provided. Additionally, you may claim expenses for a spouse or any relative who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care, lives with you for more than half the year, and qualifies as your dependent under standard tax rules, ensuring complete family coverage.

Dependent Care FSAs typically operate under an annual use-it-or-lose-it rule governed by employer plan documents and tax regulations. While some plans provide a grace period or run-out timeframe to submit claims for expenses incurred during the plan year, unused funds generally forfeit back to the employer. Helpr helps employees track and utilize care allowances to avoid losing their contributions.

Yes. Helpr's patented My Choice technology allows employees to select their own trusted providers, including independent sitters, relatives, and neighbors who meet standard guidelines. Employees simply add their provider to the platform to pay them directly and apply employer subsidies, offering flexible coverage for families in areas where traditional care centers or backup networks may not operate.

To substantiate a claim, administrators require documentation showing the dates of service, the dependent's name, the care provider's name and address, the total amount charged, and the provider's Taxpayer Identification Number or Social Security number. Helpr automates this substantiation within the app during the payment flow, ensuring compliant records without requiring manual paper claim submission.

Offering an active Dependent Care FSA reduces employer payroll taxes, as employee pre-tax contributions lower the overall taxable payroll base. Furthermore, pairing FSA administration with Helpr's backup care platform significantly boosts employee retention, curbs absenteeism caused by sudden care disruptions, and enhances overall workplace productivity by providing accessible, equitable support for working caregivers.