STATE OF CONNECTICUT
NANCY WYMAN COMPTROLLER	OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER 55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775	MARK OJAKIAN DEPUTY COMPTROLLER

COMPTROLLER'S MEMORANDUM NO. 2003-42

September 25, 2003

TO THE HEADS OF ALL STATE AGENCIES

I. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this memorandum is to (1) advise of the annual open enrollment for the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), and (2) restate the DCAP payroll, enrollment, and election change processing procedures.

II. ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT 

The open enrollment period for the 2004 DCAP plan year is scheduled for November 1, 2003 through November 30, 2003. On behalf of the program's administrative services provider,
Benefit Concepts, representatives will be available at various locations throughout the state to provide information as well as enroll employees in the program. 

The Office of the State Comptroller will be inserting DCAP brochures in employee paychecks dated October 17, 2003; a copy of the brochure is attached. The brochure will inform employees of the open enrollment period and includes the statewide schedule of informational sessions. The brochure is the only statewide communication issued to employees regarding the 2004 plan year enrollment. 

Employees interested in participating will be responsible for obtaining the necessary enrollment applications and meeting all associated deadlines. Applications may be obtained by contacting Benefit Concepts at 1-877-629-1500. Employees, who fail to return the application before the deadline, will be denied participation in the program; no late applications will be accepted; no exceptions will be made. 

III. PROCESSING PROCEDURES

A. Enrollment Procedures: 

Benefit Concepts is responsible for the enrollment of eligible employees who wish to participate in DCAP. Employees are entitled to enroll in DCAP during one of the following periods:

1. The annual open enrollment period;
2. Within thirty-one days of the hire date; and
3. Within thirty-one days of a change in family status which makes the employee eligible to participate.

B. Payroll Procedures: 

Payroll processing of DCAP accounts is performed by the Comptroller's Retirement & Benefit Services Division, Employee Benefits Unit. For payroll purposes, agencies are not responsible for processing DCAP enrollment applications. 

C. Election Changes: 

Once enrolled, changes in elections are allowed only under the following circumstances:

1. Participant terminates employment;
2. Participant experiences a family status change, such as marriage, divorce, death of a spouse or dependent, birth or adoption of a child, changes in spouse's employment status.

Participating employees who wish to make an election change, or terminating employees must file a Dependent Care Change Form with Benefit Concepts within thirty-one days of the change in status.

Employees may obtain enrollment forms, election forms, and change forms by contacting Benefit Concepts toll free at 1-877-629-1500. 

IV. CONCLUSION 

Your anticipated assistance in making the program accessible to your agency's employees is appreciated. The DCAP program not only assists employees in managing their dependent care expenses while reducing their taxable income, it saves the state money as well. 

Questions concerning DCAP may be directed to the Retirement and Benefit Services Division, Employee Benefits Unit at (860) 702-3543. 

Very Truly Yours,

NANCY WYMAN, STATE COMPTROLLER

NW/nm

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