Programs and Perks FAQs

Regular Full- and Part-Time Faculty and Staff members* are eligible for the University Home Ownership Incentive Program upon appointment.

*Postdoctoral fellows, postdoctoral research associates, postdoctoral teaching fellows, EDC associates, and visiting faculty are not eligible.

No, but you need to be a new homeowner in a qualifying City of Rochester neighborhood (current city homeowners are not eligible).

No, the University Home Ownership Incentive Program is “all or nothing.” You must be approved for the $3,000 forgivable loan from the University of Rochester, the $3,000 City grant, and the $3,000 grant/lender credit from a participating program lender.

All benefit eligible and non-benefit eligible faculty and staff may apply for long-term care insurance. In addition, family members of faculty and staff are eligible to apply. All applicants must complete a Statement of Health and be approved by the insurance carrier before a policy will be issued.

The University of Rochester’s child care subsidy was created to help eligible faculty and staff pay for dependent care expenses by granting awards of up to $3,600/year per household based on total household gross income.

You are eligible if you meet the following criteria:

• You are a regular full-time or part-time faculty or staff, non-SEIU staff, Strong Memorial Hospital resident or fellow, or Postdoctoral Associate (job code 0093); Individuals covered by collective bargaining agreements receive benefits in accordance with those agreements (SEIU members are not eligible).
• Based on IRS publication 503, you have a legal dependent child under age 13 whom you claim as a tax dependent on your federal income tax return (special rules apply for divorced parents), or any other dependent child on your tax return who resides with you and is physically or mentally disabled and will have estimated child/dependent care expenses during the enrolled calendar year or period.

• Based on IRS publication 503, you are unmarried, or have a spouse who meets one of the criteria below:
  1. Employed at least part-time
  2. A full-time student
  3. Considered legally disabled
  4. Looking for work
  5. Have a total household gross income of less than $135,000 in 2022 (amount is subject to annual indexing) for Calendar Year 2024 (line 9 on your 1040).

Based on IRS publication 503, you have a legal dependent child under age 13 whom you claim as a tax dependent on your federal income tax return (special rules apply for divorced parents), or any other dependent child on your tax return who resides with you and is physically or mentally disabled and will have estimated child/dependent care expenses during the enrolled calendar year or period.

Awards are limited to one per family/household, so only one person may apply.

You will need your University Active Directory login to access the application. This application requires Duo two-factor authentication when connecting from outside the University’s networks.

The Annual Application Window is now closed.

2024 Calendar Year Annual Application Window is now closed.

Only new hires and those with a qualifying life event can apply outside of the application window. New Hires have 30 days post hire to submit a child care subsidy application.

Within 60 days of a qualifying event (family status change), you may apply for the Child Care Subsidy. The full list of qualifying events and their corresponding changes can be found here.

• Required Documents for Calendar Year 2024 (Only for new hires or qualifying events):
  • Application
    • You will need your University Active Directory login to access the application. This application requires Duo two-factor authentication when connecting from outside the University’s networks.
  • 1040 (page 1 and page 2 of your 2022 IRS form 1040 as well as that of your spouse, if filed separately). This is not your paystub, W2 form or tax transcript.
  • Dependent Information Change Request Form if dependent(s) is/are not in HRMS/system. To check if your dependent(s) is listed follow this path in HRMS: Main Menu > Self Service > Benefits > Dependent/Beneficiary Info.

Additional supporting documents may be requested to confirm eligibility.  All employees applying for subsidy must certify that all of the information they have provided is truthful and correct to the best of their knowledge.

If you don’t have a 1040, please email familycare@ngskmc-eis.net for next steps.

• Only qualifying child care expenses under the Internal Revenue Code may be reimbursed with the subsidy. Generally, qualifying expenses are limited to child care expenses that you incur to enable you and your spouse to be gainfully employed.  A discussion of qualifying expenses can be found in IRS Publication 503, but could include infant and toddler child care, pre- school/pre-K programs, care on school holidays, school-age summer day camps/programs, and school-age before/after school care.
• Your child care provider cannot be your spouse or dependent.
• Your child care provider must provide a Tax Identification or Social Security number and must report the child care income on their tax return.
• Your child care provider does not need to be a licensed facility, as long as the care provider reports the income on their tax return.
• Please note: You can only submit expenses for the time period you were enrolled in the plan in the given calendar year.

Yes. This is an annual award and you will need to reapply each year during the given application window.

New hires and those with a qualifying life event (which includes birth/adoption) are eligible to apply outside of the application window

• Yes, your dependent(s) do not need to be covered under the University’s Health Care Plans
• If your child is not listed as your dependent in HRMS, you will need to submit aDependent Information Change Request Form to have them added
• This does not affect your insurance or coverage

For Calendar Year 2024:

• Total household gross income is less than $78,000: Subsidy is $3,600/year ($300/month; $150/semi-monthly pay period; $138.46/biweekly pay period)
• Total household gross income is between $78,000 and $103,999.99: Subsidy is $2,400/year ($200/month; $100/semi—monthly pay period; $92.31/biweekly pay period)
• Total household gross income is between $104,000 and $134,999.99: Subsidy is $1,200/year ($100/month; $50/semi-monthly pay period; $46.15/biweekly pay period)

If you apply and are approved for the Child Care Subsidy, you will automatically be enrolled in the Dependent Care FSA.

If you are eligible and you plan to make voluntary contributions to your Dependent Care FSA, you can do so during Open Enrollment. Please keep in mind that the total of your subsidy award plus your contribution cannot exceed the maximum annual total of $5,000 per family (or $2,500, if you’re married and file taxes separately).

You will be reimbursed through your Dependent Care FSA after costs have been incurred.

The child care subsidy is a reimbursement program through the Dependent Care FSA. You will only be reimbursed up to your award amount, OR your total eligible child care costs if these are less than your award.

Lifetime Benefit Solutions (LBS) administers dependent care claim reimbursements for the University of Rochester Child Care Subsidy Program based on the same rules and regulations governing Dependent Care FSAs.

You can submit a claim via the Lifetime Benefit Solutions member portal or mobile app.  You also can complete a claim form and mail it to Lifetime Benefit Solutions. If you have not previously logged into your Lifetime Benefit Solutions account, please see the new user instructions.

You can find step-by-step instructions under “How to Claim a Subsidy”.

Funds will be available on a pro-rated basis throughout the program year. For example, if approved for a scholarship of $2,400, $200 would be available each month; $100 semi-monthly; $92.31 biweekly. Funds are deposited into your Dependent Care FSA on/around each pay period check date.

Once you start incurring costs within the calendar year, you can submit for reimbursement via Lifetime Benefit Solutions. You will only be reimbursed up to your award amount, OR your total eligible child care costs if these are less than your award.

You may be eligible to make additional contributions to your Dependent Care FSA from your wages on a pre-tax basis, as long as the total of the subsidy plus your contribution does not exceed the maximum annual total of $5,000 per family (or $2,500, if you’re married and file taxes separately).

No. Postdoctoral Associates are not eligible to make voluntary contributions into Dependent Care FSAs. Please refer to the benefits summary for more details.

Your child care subsidy award as well as any voluntary dependent care FSA contributions will be reported in Box 10 on your W-2. You should consult with your personal tax advisor regarding any tax impact for you, particularly if you do not claim the entire award you receive. Please review IRS Form 2441 with your personal tax advisor in determining how to account for your Dependent Care FSA benefits.

Unpaid Leave of Absence: Child Care Subsidy Award payments will stop as of the effective date of the unpaid leave. When you return to work in a benefit-eligible position, if you wish to re-elect the Child Care Subsidy, you must contact Total Rewards within 30 days of your return. You will have until April 30^th following the end of the plan year to submit eligible expenses incurred during the plan year.

Paid Leave of Absence: Child Care Subsidy award payments would continue during an employee’s paid leave of absence.

Terminate or Change to an Ineligible Status: Child Care Subsidy Award payments stop as of your termination date or change to an ineligible status. You will have until April 30^th following the end of the plan year to submit eligible expenses incurred during the previous plan year. The amount available for reimbursement is limited to the amount credited to your Dependent Care FSA, less any prior reimbursements.

No.  After the end of the year, you have 120 days to submit a claim for the prior year.

Any funds remaining in your account after the 120-day year-end submission period will be forfeited and no longer available.

Please apply for the Faculty/Staff Child Care Subsidy. Applications are limited to one per household.

Please email familycare@ngskmc-eis.net or call 585-276-5748 with any questions.

If you have any questions on how to file your dependent care claim or how to access the Lifetime Benefit Solutions member portal and mobile app, please contact Lifetime Benefit Solutions Customer Service at 800-327-7130 or LBS.CustomerService@LifetimeBenefitSolutions.com.

Eligibility for this benefit includes regular full-time and part-time faculty and staff, non-SEIU staff, Strong Memorial Hospital residents and fellows, and Postdoctoral Associates (0093); Individuals covered by collective bargaining agreements receive benefits in accordance with those agreements (SEIU members are not eligible).

Log in to your Care.com account by visiting universityofrochester.care.com or downloading the Care.com app on your mobile device. You will log in using your name and University of Rochester Employee ID number (this can be found on your HRMS homepage).

You may search, schedule, manage, and pay for care by reviewing postings of available providers or placing your own advertisement for:

• After-school sitters for those 3pm pick-ups
• Getting Fido a walker while you’re working
• Arranging back-up care when your regular sitter isn’t available
• Helping mom and dad at home with a senior caregiver
• House need some love? Find a housekeeper
• Finding a tutor to help your kiddo with classwork
• Personal assistants, special needs, and more

Care.com offers tools and resources to help you evaluate risk and stay savvy about safety. See care.com/safety to access safety guides, background check options, and Safety FAQs.

The University of Rochester is providing eligible employees a membership to Care.com as an employee benefit. Employees are under no obligation to use the services provided by Care.com. Employees are responsible for understanding Care.com’s terms of use. The University is not responsible for any issues an employee may experience in the use of Care.com’s services or with any care provider hired through such service.

You can pay caregivers directly or enroll in the Care.com HomePay service.

Yes, visit universityofrochester.care.com and click on “Enroll Now.” You’ll be asked whether you have an existing membership. Select “Yes” and proceed with logging in. Contact Care.com at (855) 781-1303 regarding reimbursement of unused time on your previous paid membership.

Register here for your free Care.com premium membership. You will need your employee ID.

The credit card you have on file will be charged after care takes place. Part of your Backup Care is subsidized, so you are only responsible for your co-pay.

• The benefit is 10 Backup Care days per year
• In-Home Backup Care Services have a minimum reservation of four (4) hours per day and a maximum of ten (10) hours per day. Requests for more than ten (10) hours of In-Home Backup Care Services will count as a second day of care.
• Out-of-Home Backup Child Care Services have a minimum reservation of one (1) day.

• Tier 1 (full-time faculty and staff earning less than $102,300 and Residents & Fellows)
  • $4 per hour in-home and $15 per day in-center
• Tier 2 (full-time faculty and staff earning $102,300 or higher and all part-time employees)
  • $8 per hour in-home and $25 per day in-center

• When there is a breakdown in your normal/routine care and your regular care is not available during work hours.
• Backup Care is not intended as a replacement for routine childcare arrangements.

Once you’ve registered for your free Care.com premium membership, you can quickly and easily request Backup Care:

• • Start your request for Backup Care either online, through the Care.com app, or by calling 855-781-1303.
  • Choose your preferred option for care: in-home or in-center.
  • Care.com will match you to a caregiver.

Personal Network Backup Care allows you to identify and use care providers that you select on your own. For example, you might choose a familiar individual, business or service provider. Personal Network care providers are not evaluated, vetted, recommended, or employed by Care.com or its affiliates.

The eligible employee must submit a claim within one month of using Personal Network Backup Care. The eligible employee’s co-pay amounts (the same tiers as for Backup Care) will be deducted from the total claim for reimbursement reported by the eligible employee, and provides a reimbursement of up to $125/day.

Please keep in mind, once an employee terminates or becomes ineligible they will not have access to their premium membership and will not be able to submit for reimbursement.

Check out these How-To Videos:

• How to Book In-Center Child Backup Care
• How to Book In-Home Child Backup Care
• How to Get Reimbursed for Personal Network Child Backup Care
• How to Get Reimbursed for Personal Network Adult Backup Care

The Care.com team will work quickly to identify a caregiver or child care center that meets your specific needs.

• • For in-home care, a Care.com specialist will call you directly about your caregiver to confirm the details.
  • For in-center care, a Care.com specialist will confirm your reservation in an email that includes details about the center.

Response times can vary based on the ability to find care. Typically, you will receive confirmation no later than 7:00pm the day prior to the care needed if the request is made over 24 hours in advance.

In-center Backup Care can be requested up to 30 days in advance, or care can be requested for urgent last-minute care. Care.com cannot guarantee 100% of requests to be filled, so it’s best to book Backup Care as soon as you know you have a need so Care.com can secure a provider or center that meets your needs.

Once a placement is made, you will receive an email notification confirming the requested job. As a reminder, you also always have the option to use Personal Network Backup Care and submit a receipt for reimbursement to Care.com after care has occurred.

A $30 cancellation fee will be assessed if a Backup Care request is cancelled within forty-eight hours of the Backup Care reservation start time and a Backup Care provider already had been reserved to fulfill the Backup Care request.

In addition, if the cancellation occurs within twenty-four hours of the Backup Care reservation start time, one day will be deducted from the eligible employee’s Allotted Backup Care Service Days (10 days per year).

All individuals performing In-Home Backup Care for children must complete a Backup Care services orientation and screening process that includes a criminal background check, a National Sex Offender Public Website check, a Social Security Number trace, identity verification, and reference checking.

All individuals performing In-Home Backup Care for adults—which may include certified nurse’s aides, home health aides, or experienced elder care companions—must complete a screening process that includes a criminal background check in accordance with state guidelines and reference checking.

Providers of In-Center Backup Child Care—including traditional child care centers or family child care centers (FCCs)—are licensed or registered in accordance with applicable law. Their respective employees and staff are selected by such providers and also screened in accordance with applicable law, which includes, at a minimum:

• • National Sex Offender Registry check
  • Central Abuse and Neglect Registry check
  • Confirmed eligibility to work in the U.S.

In-home Backup Care can be used for mildly ill children, however, it cannot be used for children with a fever equal to or great than 100 degrees, or for children with a contagious illness or condition, such as cold/flu, chicken pox, untreated strep throat, conjunctivitis or head lice. Additionally, if a child may have been exposed to COVID-19, we cannot provide care until the dependent/family has been quarantined for 10 days from the date of exposure, the onset of symptoms, or a positive test. Personal Network backup care is also available to circumvent the limits of in-home sick care by providing employees with the freedom to use caregivers in their own network (e.g., regular babysitter, family members, friends, etc.) and to submit for reimbursement after care has occurred. Employees make arrangements with caregivers in their network directly (it is their responsibility to inform the caregiver of any illness, requirements, arrangements, etc.) there is no pre-approval needed, so employees can begin finding care as soon as they realize their child is sick.

In-Center Backup care is not available for sick children. Children will be in close proximity to other children while being cared for at a Backup Care center. To help ensure any illnesses will not be spread among them, sick children are not eligible for In-center Backup Care.