Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
2026 Change in Account Management
The DCFSA will be managed by Optum beginning January 1, 2026.
Current participants are encouraged to claim your Calendar Year 2025 elections with HealthEquity as soon as possible. Visit HealthEquity Wageworks. If you elect a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account for 2026, after you are set up in the Optum system, you will receive information on how to set up an account on the Optum website.
Key Benefits
- Pretax payroll deductions allow you to contribute to your account tax free.
- You can contribute from $100 up to the annual limit set by the IRS. In 2026, the Dependent Care Spending Account limit is $7,500. This is a household limit.
This is a special account designed to help you save money on your expected day care expenses each year.
All employees with children under the age of 13 or have disabled dependents that are enrolled in day care can elect a Dependent Care Account during Open Enrollment. To be eligible for reimbursement, you and your spouse must be employed, actively searching for a job, or enrolled as a full-time student for at least 5 months of the year. Eligible dependents include your children under age 13, your disabled spouse, or disabled dependents of any age (including parents).
Contributing to a Dependent Care FSA
New and returning enrollees:
- Elections must be made each year during Open Enrollment, whether you are a new or returning enrollee, in order to be effective on January 1.
- You cannot change your annual contribution to your account after Open Enrollment without a qualifying life event. The funds in your account do not roll over annually, and any unused funds will be forfeited after a 2.5 month grace period.
Contact ORNL Benefits
(865) 576-7766
[email protected]