Elder Care Cost Reimbursement Program Guidelines
What is This Program?
The program offers financial assistance to Vermont State employees for their elder care expenses. The funds are made available through the labor/management agreement between the State and the Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA). This initiative is the result of employee surveys and feedback on elder care and elder care assistance.
What Kind of Elder Care is Eligible for Reimbursement?
Reimbursement will be available for State employees who spent at least $50 for elder care for immediate family members who were aged 62 or older. Immediate family members are: spouse, civil union partner, parents, grandparents, siblings and in-laws.
Items eligible for reimbursement consideration include, but are not limited to, things such as: LifeAlert, respite care, home modifications (ramp installation, safety bars, door widening, etc.), rental or purchase of medical equipment, contracted housekeeping services and transportation to medical appointment or needed medical services (must be at least 100 miles roundtrip to qualify). Other items may be considered by the committee. However, some of the known items that are not eligible are: nursing home care, medical/dental bills, eye glasses, hearing aids, medications and hospital bills.
Who is Eligible?
A State employee who:
- Is employed and has completed their probationary period at the time of the application
- Is Full-Time, or if Part-Time, works an average of at least 20 hours per week
Note: Above categories include Limited Service Employees, but do not include Temporary Employees or Contract Workers.
How Does the Program Work?
Interested and eligible employees must first apply. The VT/VSEA Child & Elder Care Committee meets monthly to consider the applications submitted. If eligible for a reimbursement, the funds will be included in your paycheck and taxes will be withheld at your payroll tax level, in accordance with Payroll guidelines. Depending on the timing of the pay cycle and the Committee meeting date, it could take a couple of pay cycles before reimbursement is received.
Where is the Application?
The application form is in the Forms & Documents section of the SOV Website. An icon is provided at the bottom of these Guidelines. You could also call the Administrator at (800) 287-8322 to request an application.
When Should I Apply?
Applications can be mailed in at any time during the calendar year for which a reimbursement is being requested. More than one Application can be submitted per year, however, the total annual cumulative reimbursements awarded per employee household are limited to $500, before taxes. The deadline to accept Applications is December 31st of that year.
When Can I Expect a Response?
All applicants will receive a response acknowledging receipt of their application. However, this is not an indication of an accepted application. Any questions regarding the application will be sent to the applicant via email or the US Postal Service.
How Much Can I Expect to Get Back?
Reimbursements are made on a first come, first served basis. The number of applicants impacts the reimbursement amount. The maximum reimbursement per household, per year, is $500, before taxes.
What is the Mailing Address?
The application, and required documentation, must be mailed via the US Postal Service, postmarked by December 31, 2022 to the address below. Any other type of submission will not be accepted.
VT/VSEA Child & Elder Care Committee
PO Box 105
Huntington, VT 05462
Members of the VT/VSEA Child & Elder Care Committee:
Tina Bohl
VTRANS
Email Tina Bohl
Dave Clark
Administrator
(800) 287-8322
Email Dave Clark
Janine Cary
DCF
Email janine.cary@vermont.gov
Jennifer Book
Human Resources
Email jennifer.book@vermont.gov
Shannon Reaves
Human Resources
Email shannon.reaves@vermont.gov
Emily Hazard
Child Development Division
Email emily.hazard@vermont.gov
Christine Trombley
DHR - Field Operations
Email Christine Trombley