Life Events and Your FSA

When you have a change in your family or job status during the year, you may be able to start or stop an FSA or change your current FSA contribution amount. Marriage, birth of your child, or a change in your work hours are examples of changes that qualify.   

Note: If you stop your contributions to a Health Care FSA, any expenses with dates of service after the last contribution from your paycheck are not eligible for reimbursement.

If you increase the amount of your FSA contribution, expenses for the additional amount must happen on or after the date that the change became effective.

Life Events and FSA Options

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Birth or Adoption of a Child

  • Start or increase amount in a Health Care FSA
  • Start or increase amount in a Dependent Care FSA

Daycare Arrangements Change (Hours Increased or Reduced with a Cost Change)

  • Increase or decrease amount in your current Dependent Care FSA

Daycare Providers Change (and Cost Changes)

  • Increase or decrease amount in your current Dependent Care FSA

Death of Your Spouse or Last Eligible Dependent Child

  • Start or stop a Health Care FSA
  • Start or stop a Dependent Care FSA
  • Increase or decrease amount in your current Dependent Care FSA

Dependent Child Turns 13

  • Stop your current Dependent Care FSA

Divorce

  • Start or stop a Health Care FSA
  • Start or increase amount in a Dependent Care FSA
  • Stop or decrease amount in a Dependent Care FSA, if you are no longer responsible for daycare payments

Job Change (from Part-time to Full-time, or Full-time to Part-time)

  • Increase or decrease amount in your current Health Care FSA
  • Increase or decrease amount in your current Dependent Care FSA

Marriage

  • Start or increase amount in a Health Care FSA 
  • Start or increase amount in a Dependent Care FSA

Change in Spouse's Employment

If your spouse end's employment or is no longer benefits eligible, you can:

  • Start or increase amount in your Health Care FSA
  • Start or increase amount in your Dependent Care FSA

If your spouse begins employment or becomes benefits eligible, you can:

  • Stop or decrease amount in your Health Care FSA
  • Stop or decrease amount in your Dependent Care FSA

Unpaid Leave of Absence for at Least One Full Pay Period*

  • Stop or decrease amount in your Health Care FSA
  • Stop or decrease amount in your Dependent Care FSA

* When you are placed on unpaid leave, your FSA elections are sent to the University's COBRA administrator, BRi, who will send you a monthly bill. If you pay the amount due, you will continue to have access to your funds. If you do not make the payment, you will not have access to the funds while you are out, nor will you be able to use your funds for any services during that time. Your FSA will be reinstated upon your return from leave.