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. 2000-54

November 6, 2000

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), (2) introduce the new program administrator, and (3) restate the DCAP payroll, enrollment, and election change processing procedures.

II. ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT

The open enrollment period for the 2001 DCAP plan year is scheduled for November 13, 2000 through December 8, 2000.

Benefit Concepts, is the new administrative services provider for the DCAP program. Due to the change to a new provider, for this plan year only, we will not be conducting statewide informational sessions. In that connection, we are asking agencies to display the attached DCAP flyer on your agency bulletin board. Additionally, the Office of the State Comptroller will be inserting brochures in employee paychecks dated November 17, 2000. The brochure is the only statewide communication regarding the 2001 plan year enrollment that will be issued to employees.

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. 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:

As stated in Comptroller's Memorandum No. 96-62, dated December 13, 1996, the payroll processing of DCAP accounts is performed by the Comptroller's Retirement & Benefit Services Division, Employee Benefits Unit, formerly Pre-Tax Programs Unit. Agencies are not responsible for processing DCAP enrollment applications for payroll purposes; they will, however, be provided with a payroll report at the conclusion of the DCAP open enrollment period which will indicate the employees of the agency who are enrolled

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 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 Employee Benefits Unit at (860) 702-3543.

Very Truly Yours,

NANCY WYMAN, STATE COMPTROLLER

NW/nm

Attachment

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