Message Board

Jul 1, 2020

COVID-19 Changes

To assist with the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, FSAFEDS is announcing the following changes:

1. OPM is permitting FSAFEDS participants a 60-day limited period during which certain mid-year changes can be made to their existing elections. The limited period begins on July 1, 2020 and ends 60 days from July 1, 2020. All participants who have enrolled in a 2020 Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA), Limited Expense Health Care Flexible Spending Account (LEX HCFSA), or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) will be allowed to make a one-time change (increase or decrease) in the amount of their annual election in each FSA account in which they are enrolled. Accordingly, participants cannot receive a refund of allotments from pay they have already made to their FSA account(s) year-to-date.
   

   Change Your 2020 Election Now
   

2. The 2019 DCFSA grace period has been extended to December 31, 2020 to allow additional time for participants to incur expenses. Participants who made an election to a DCFSA for the plan year ending December 31, 2019 had until March 15, 2020 (the "grace period") to incur eligible DCFSA expenses. Claims for reimbursement of these expenses were due by April 30, 2020. Any funds not used during the grace period are normally forfeited. An extension of this period is being allowed this year on a one-time basis. Specifically, participants who made an election to a DCFSA in the plan year ending December 31, 2019, will now be allowed to incur eligible expenses until December 31, 2020. The extended claim period is automatic for qualified participants.
3. Participants may now carryover up to $550 of unused amounts in their HCFSA and LEX HCFSA remaining at the end of 2020 into 2021, if they re-enroll for the 2021 plan year. This increased carryover amount of $550 will continue in place for plan years beyond 2021.