Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

How you save

The DCAP is a simple way to save money while taking care of your loved ones when you (and your spouse or state-registered domestic partner) attend school full-time, work, or look for work.

• Reduce your overall taxable income. Funds are withdrawn from your paycheck before taxes are deducted.
• Pretax benefit used to pay for eligible expenses such as elder day care, baby sitting, child care, preschool, and registration fees.

Listen to the Fund Your Future DRS podcast episode: Save on health care costs with FSA and DCAP to learn more.

Qualifying dependents

A qualifying dependent must be:

• Age 12 or younger and live with you.
• Age 13 or older, physically or mentally incapable of self-care, and regularly spend at least eight hours each day in your household.

Contributions

The minimum contribution is $120.

2026 maximum contributions are limited to:

• $7,500 annually for a single person or married couple filing a joint income tax return.
• $3,750 annually for each married participant who files a separate income tax return.

2025 maximum contributions are limited to:

• $5,000 annually for a single person or married couple filing a joint income tax return.
• $2,500 annually for each married participant who files a separate income tax return.

For more help, use the Navia Benefit Solutions Tax Savings Calculator.

Note: You cannot change your contribution amount or cancel after the year starts unless a qualifying event creates a special open enrollment. Common qualifying events include birth, adoption, marriage, or divorce.

How do I enroll?

You must enroll in the DCAP for each year you want to participate. Your enrollment does not automatically continue year to year. If you want to enroll, make sure to choose this benefit again during open enrollment.

Note: University of Washington and Washington State University employees must enroll through Workday.

During open enrollment

Visit Navia Benefits Solutions website. Or, download and print the Open Enrollment Form on Navia's website. You can only enroll online during open enrollment.

When you're first eligible for benefits

Submit the PEBB Midyear Enrollment Form to your payroll or benefits office no later than 31 days after the date you become eligible for PEBB benefits.

If you have a special open enrollment event

Submit the PEBB Change in Status Form and return it - along with evidence of the event - to your payroll or benefits office no later than 60 days after you or an eligible dependent has a qualifying event that creates a special open enrollment.

How do I submit claims?

Visit Navia's website to submit claims. You can set up recurring claims for reimbursement.

There is also a debit card option available.

You can submit claims for reimbursement of eligible expenses as soon as the year begins (January 1). You can only be reimbursed up to the dollar amount you have in your DCAP account at the time you request reimbursement. You may submit claims for services as often as you like, but not until after the services have been provided.

What happens to my DCAP funds when coverage ends?

If your employment ends and you have unspent DCAP funds, you may continue to submit claims for eligible expenses through March 31 of the following year, as long as the expenses allow you to attend school full-time, look for work, or work full-time. Claims may be submitted up to your account balance. You cannot incur expenses after December 31. There are no continuation coverage rights for DCAP.

For more information on when coverage ends, see the DCAP Enrollment Guide on Navia's website. You can also contact Navia.